Burner - device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

I join the ranks of those frustrated with the error message:

"disc can't be burned because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media"

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: MacBook Pro

Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,3

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 3 MB

Memory: 8 GB

Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Boot ROM Version: MBP53.00AC.B03

SMC Version (system): 1.48f2

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-868:

Firmware Revision: KB19

Interconnect: ATAPI

Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)

Cache: 2048 KB

Reads DVD: Yes

CD-Write: -R, -RW

DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW

Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO

System Software Overview:

System Version: OS X 10.8.5 (12F45)

Kernel Version: Darwin 12.5.0

Boot Volume: Macintosh HD

Boot Mode: Normal

I've failed to solve this problem, despite two weeks of effort. I've tried just about everything suggested in the forum posts, shy of a complete reinstall and/or replacing the DVD drive. This is a 2009 15" MacBook Pro and I am out of the AppleCare plan, so investing loads of dough in a four-year-old machine is not all that applealing.

1. Is it dust in the drive or dirt on the lens?

> Tried compressed air No change

> Tried credit card and Mac cleaning cloth No change

> Bought a DVD drive cleaner and ran that No change

2. Is it the media?

> The drive can read both CDs and DVDs with various types of files on them (zip files, all sorts of formats of text files, audio files, videos/movies)

> Problems started when I tried to burn files on a Staples brand DVD-R disc

> Switched to Memorex DVD+R discs No change

> I was able to burn files to an old CD-RW disc (from 2004)

3. Is it the computer system or software?

> All software is updated

> Have the latest iOS update

> Ran TechTool Pro 6 and everything checked out

> I read somewhere about the possibility of needing to adjust software settings or computer preferences, but don't know where I saw that suggestion and have no idea what settings to change.

If anyone (HELLO APPLE, ARE YOU LISTENING?) comes up with any concrete suggestions for solving my/our problem, I would appreciate it.

You could check and see about using an 'external optical super-drive' such as the USB Apple model that is listed on the Apple Store for $79. and is similiar to the external USB drive sold as a means to use DVD media with MacBook Air. Other users of MacBook/Pro & newer iMac that either don't have one built-in, or whose original one failed have used these. And this could be used to troubleshoot the issue, as a second or primary drive.

These are said to work with install-restore discs &/or third party utilities on DVD that are used to boot the computer to restore, repair, and so on. And they also allow one to play DVD media.

So maybe that is an answer of a sort. When a DIY repair using iFixit guides may be problematic or the replacement internal optical drive may be not cost effective.

At some point if other hardware issues arise and the computer needs opened for other repair, the cost of having the optical drive done then would be a little bit more than that part itself, once the unit is opened for other repair. When I called wegenermedia.com to talk to a service advisor on the phone about a repair to one of my portables, the advisor suggested certain upgrades that would cost little over the parts, while mine was in for a logic board solder.

Anyway, maybe this may help.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Hi Arbor Friend.

My equipment has more or less the same configuration as yours (Mine is a MacBookPro5,3 with processor speed 2,93 GHz, MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-868 shows 0KB cache, the rest is the same). The laptop is not region protected.

In june 2012 I ran into this burning problem with the superdrive as well. I use to burn Sony DVD-R discs. I tried all suggested solutions like the language thing (no luck), bought a bottle of compressed air and a cleansing cd and after several times running this cd and blowing some air into the drive, I eventually got the superdrive burning. Now, one year and a half later, I stumbled again upon this annoying problem. The finder doesn't even recognise inserted blanc dvd's, it just spits them out. I don't have the cleansing cd at hand nor the compressed air. I tried to burn a mp4 file without inserting a dvd previously, and finally the finder's burner dialogue window popped up. I filled in the disc name omitting spaces as read in one of the previous posts, and choosing the lowest burn speed. (2x, other options are 4x and 8x, both no luck). Now the superdrive is burning, and the cd finally has been ended succesfully! Hope my experience helps you.

I gave up on my mac book pro, but what i did do was "Save as Disc image" in iDVD and then copied that to my Windows laptop and then burned the image to the same disk i was trying to from my mac. No issues there. Really annoying to have to consider to resort to compressed air to fix this, might try it later, i had a similar problem on an older mac too.

In my case, the CD I was using somehow had some incompatibility. The solution for me was use another CD.

Using mid-2009 MBP, thought maybe the burner went out, but compressed air worked! Thanks!

I opened the macbook and cleaned the DVD Laser reader/ writer with ear cotton cleaning tips soaked with simple perfume (contains spirit). and it worked well.

yes compressed air is the ticket... wow that was the easiest fix ever! 🙂

2016 now - and the 2 second burst of compressed air worked for me! Thanks!

That worked for me too!

Hi there 🙂

This is from a while back, but to try to help any other users out there, all you have to do is burn at speed 4, not 8!

👍

Hope you got it working @itspaz