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

By summarize, I hope you don't mean "close" the subject... Sorry, I promised I would keep my comments to myself from now on...

I agree with you on one point: an external drive is certainly the best solution for those who are out of Apple's warranty; I bought an external optical drive (an LG Slim-something) for about 80 euros (about 100-110 USD), and it reads/writes all kinds of CDs and DVDs, dual-layer or not (no BluRay, though...).

Changing your internal drive will cost you twice as much, no doubt. Plus, that would only add to Apple's warchest, and... Sorry, sometimes I can't control myself...

(Sheepish grin)

My Mid 2007 (June) MBP 2.4 GHZ 256 Nvidia 4GB RAM machine has done something strange: a black spot has developed in the fibres of the slot. It has not come from an outside source as the machine is always on top of a stand. It will read DVD/CD, but no longer write. If a blank disk is inserted, it merely spins up and then spins down, spins up and then down.

While I have not tried a lens cleaner, the black spot has me worried that if this thing does no longer work, I should take it in to the store, but at the same time, I am scared of pirates.

Has anyone heard of this 'black spot' issue? I still have AppleCare, so I can take it in to the Apple Repair Centre in Seoul, but it is rather annoying to be computerless.

only bought my MBP 1 year and about 3 months ago and i have this problem with the optical drive...

Insert disk > spin + robot sounds + spin (rinse/repeat) > disk ejects...

It started with just doing this a little but now i cant read a thing.

I have got to say, being that people are always, and have always been, a companies largest and best advertising platform, that this is bad marketing. I have already told people not to buy MBPs.

However, if apple were to say "oh, crap, a lot of people are having this issue with their drives, lets offer to fix them for free", that would be good marketing.

Anyone have any experience with apple doing that even if their warranty is up? I mean, it clearly is apple selling us lemons and catching us with the 1 year warranty.

I am also having the same problems with my Macbook Pro. I have the drive HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N. Just thought I would add my name to the list of upset angry Apple Customers.

I promised I'd refrain from making acidic comments on this subject, but I've had it: I was fortunate enough to have an extended warranty on my MBP thanks to the French retailer where I bought it; "they" (whoever "they" are) changed the SuperDrive on my machine, and it's now working fine. However, I still have my doubts about Apple's response... or lack thereof, on the subject.

There have been dozens of posts similar to this one on this forum, and there are countless others on other forums. It's pretty obvious to me that it's an epidemic of broken or severely faulty SuperDrives we're dealing with here. I didn't pay a cent to have my SuperDrive operable again, but I understand some other people weren't that fortunate, so I'm asking Apple to take this problem into account seriously, however discreetly. All "they" (whoever "they" are...) have to do is make contact with the plaintiffs via private messaging and propose a solution.

Period.

And I'll rejoin on the current trend that goes, Apple knew it, and was counting on people not taking AppleCare, so that the brand can make more money repairing computers that are already 30 to 40% more expensive than regular PCs. Because if "they" (...) didn't know, well, then we've all been screwed. "Them" included...

Message was edited by: Didier Caizergues

I just thought I'd add my problems in case it helps rectify the situation. My macbook pro is about 2.5 years old (so out of warranty). All was working well. I don't know whether it is related (probably is in some way) but a disk got stuck in my superdrive (appeared to eject but didn't come out). After a few minutes of panic I followed the apple support process of ejecting the disk and all was ok. Now whenever I put a disk in the drive it spins up, then down then ejects without mounting. I have tried:
1) Reboot
2) repair permissions
3) "air clean"
4) reflash drive
None appear to work. I would try the disk cleaner but as someone else said, I'm not sure the disk would stay in long enough to clean. My gut says that whatever caused the disk to not eject is not the same problem causing disks to always eject (a physical problem). If I was near an apple store I'd go to a genius bar for some help but that's not possible due to my current location.
Has anyone got any other recommendations?
On a side note, when I go to my ATA bus info it does not give a serial number. I don't know whether this is related but it could be connected.

Well.. I thought I would add my MBP to the list!!! I have been loyal to Apple for a very long time but this is absurd.
Apple stand up to your product and allow our drives to be fixed, your cost.
My MBP is 18 months old, has never traveled other than from desk to living room. The drive does the same thing all the other posts say, exactly the same thing... Hmmmm, sounds like an epidemic to me!!! Sounds like faulty hardware me!!!
I will likely buy an external drive.
My drive:
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-857E:
Firmware Revision: ZA0E

Just wanted to add my name to the list. Same issue as everyone here...

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N

is my superdrive model.

My HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N has the same problems.

Kinda funny since I paid money when it was out of warranty to fix my scree,n which died. A little bit after the 90 day warranty on the repair my screen started exhibiting the same problems as before as did my drive.

You're all right: there IS a problem, and no, Apple isn't taking the full measure of it. That's sad, and it makes me wonder: when the time comes to replace my MBP, will I buy another Mac...? The jury's still out on this one...

Same Problem here. It just started last week.

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846

Well, finally got time to use a Cleaning Disc, and it worked. Don't know what else to say, except suggesting anyone who hasn't, to try it. That seems crazy, but it works.

same for me too.. am going to try the cleaning disc though!

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N:

Firmware Revision: AP09

Mixed results here.

I purchased a Memorex cleaning disk, and after several attempts trying to get it to load, it worked. I was able to see the tracks in iTunes and listen to the audio on the disk. I put it on a loop in iTunes and let it run for 15-20 minutes.

However, when I try to load a DVD or Music CD, the drive still spits it out.

I find it strange that the cleaning CD works properly, but that any other media gets spit out.