Drive won't read any dvd-ejects it automatically after spinning some time

This is for flashing your SuperDrive firmware (Matshita only), and it didn't work on my unit at all. That kind of operation is not to be taken lightly, as it can "brick" you drive once and for all...

You can try it as a desperate measure, but be aware that Apple could then renege on any extended warranty agreement they passed with you, since you're not supposed to mettle with these things on your own...

Also, from reading numerous accounts of failing to solve SuperDrive issues with flashing firmware, I can almost predict no improvement in the long run...

To further add to this dilemma. I also have this problem. Blank DVD's sound like they are being read, then they just automatically eject. I have a MBP 2.4ghz from late 07'. And i have had this problem once in a while, but usually worked on 2nd try if it automatically ejected on 1st insertion.
I just did a large update to *Microsoft Office 08'* the other day, and Now i have this problem. That is the only update i have done, and i have this problem now. It would seem to me that either it is just coincidence, or it has something to do with it. I am going to try to uninstall MS Office 08' all together and see what happens.
I also tried the *Repair Permissions strategy*, and it did not work either.

Due respect to Didier, but my MBP IS out of warranty. the drive IS "Bricked" - as it will not read anything. I have no extended warranty, so what have I got to loose? If it doesn't work, then I'm back to replacing the drive which is where I'm at now. Problem is I don't know how to use 'Terminal' so I'm unable to use the flash method.

I did find, on another forum, several people who have experienced this problem and corrected it by using a simple CD/DVD lense cleaner disc. While I'm doubtful, I'm going to give that a try. As noted I've burned 2-3 discs per month for the past 2 years, so I won't rule out the lense is filthy. I must note that a couple shots of compressed air and the drive is at least ejecting discs now where before they would get stuck and I had to use Disc Utility to eject them, so I suppose anything is possible.

I bought a cleaning disc off Amazon and when it arrives in a few days I'll give it a try and report back. Meanwhile I'm still willing to try the flash if I can figure out how to do it.

If you're willing to take the risk, and if you're 100% SURE your optical drive is a Matshita UJ-857, here's what you've got to do:

1) Download the .zip file mentioned in the post (for memory's sake: http://rapidshare.com/files/57312123/SimpleFlash.zip.html ) and save it, for example, on your Desktop

2) Unzip it

3) Open Terminal (in Applications/Utilities)

4) In Terminal, type "cd Users/your user's_name/Desktop/Name_of_the_unzippedfolder", without quotes

5) Copy-and-paste the instruction line (singular!!!) corresponding to your optical drive AND region (mine would be HAEA since I'm in Western Europe), including the dot at the beginning of the line

6) Press Enter

7) Confirm your choice (type Y or Yes or yes, the press Enter)

8) Wait a while, because the whole operation takes between thirty seconds and one full minute. You should see your Terminal going back to prompt at the end of the operation

Your drive firmware has now been flashed. Reboot your machine and tell us if it worked for you.

Message was edited by: Didier Caizergues

Some users mention that repairing permissions work better in safe mode. Maybe you should try it. I did and it didn't make my SuperDrive return from the dead, but it might work with yours.

Thanks Didier but I've tried the repair permissions and it had no effect...
Gonna try the flash - fingers crossed...

Tried the Simple Flash but no joy! Drive still tries to spin up two or three times and then just ejects. Guess I'm down to hoping the lense cleaning disc works and then shopping for a new drive. Other than Apple (pricey), anyone know a good replacement brand? Ebay lists several but many are from Hong Kong or Taiwan and I'm a little hesitant to go there...

Bought an LG Slim for about 60-70 dollars at a retailer. It's USB-powered, with an extra cord in case you need more power (second power is USB too). I'm sending my MBP back in to have the SuperDrive replaced, since I'm still on extended warranty and I've exhausted all other avenues, software- and firmware-related or otherwise.

Good luck to you!

I did the same a couple months ago - an external USB powered DVD burner that i can use when I have the MBP docked to my Cinema monitor here at home. But I travel extensively May-November and I don't want to have to lug around yet another piece of computer equipment. I'm going to wait and try to lense cleaning disc and if that doesn't work, then I'll simply replace the onboard superdrive.

Thanks for all your help Didier - at least by process of elimination I'm getting closer and closer to a diagnoses of a DOA superdrive.

Lovely country France! Have visited twice and would love to get back there someday.

Well, I took 2 hours out of my day to go to the Apple store and speak to a "Genius". A bit of a mission to book an appointment but ces't la vie. Arrive and explain my problem. The "Genius" does not even look at my computer but instead quotes me prices of replacement parts. First it was £300 for the part, and after I told him that was impossible, he looked again admitted his error and quoted me £130 for the part and £50 for the repair time. Absolutely ridiculous if you ask me.

What bothers me most is that I think it is probably just a small part that fails within the drive. However, the only option apple offers is a complete drive replacement at a very high cost, rather than fixing the actual broken drive. Perhaps that will cost more, I don't know. However surely LG know the problem and could purchase and recondition these drives deffering some of the cost.

The "Genius", who was actually less informed than the users on this forum, acknowledged that this has happened before but as I am 3 months out of warranty, there is nothing they could do.

So in order to save money, I am ordering a drive replacement which is £30 cheaper than Apple and installing it myself using the ifixit manual. I'll probably brick my whole laptop though.

Disk cleaner! The kind with the little brushes on the disk; it plays pleasant music while it spins...

Worked like a charm. A little PMCS, ya know? I ran the cleaner twice. Once for a short cycle and saw instant but not perfect results on a random movie DVD. Second cycle I let it run for quite a while. Took a nap even. Works great now.

I surmise, because of the fan ports in the rear that blow at varying speed, the largest vent on this negatively pressurized system is the DVD slot, sucking dust, mice and insects in there like a vacuum.

Well, I tried pretty much everything but ended up just buying a new drive and replacing it. Hopefully this issue gets resolved in time. Or, if no firmware resolution is possible then Apple should definitely extend the AppleCare to 3 years for this particular issue. I know it has been done in the past, I had an iBook that the logic board went out on and Apple extended the AppleCare on that machine to three years. I guess we'll see!

I'm still waiting (just ordered Saturday) the cleaning disc so I'm going to give that a try before then deciding to replace. Were Apple to act I would not be happy with extending AppleCare. That does nothing for those of us who didn't purchase AppleCare. If its a hardware flaw it should be repaired/replaced regardless of any warranty or extended warranty. The product should have been good when it was sold, if not, it should be recalled and repaired at Apple's expense,regardless.

Apparently Apple moderates this thread enough to remove my post after 15 minutes which had a link to eBay. In any case, what I was trying to get across is the fact you can purchase replacement drives for a reasonable price off of eBay or from MacSales.com if anyone decides it comes to that point. The model number for the MacBook Pro 15" and MacBook 13" SuperDrives is UJ-857-C. The drives are relatively easy to install if you would rather do it yourself instead of paying for Apple to do the repair. I think I was able to do a swap in about 15 minutes (of course you need a couple of tools). Just check out macsales.com (OWC) for videos on replacing the drive.

I guess it depends on whether or not $100-$150 for a new optical drive is worth it to you!