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

[ Thoughts ]
Apple obviously needs numbers as they're probably trying to narrow down the issue so, hoping they fix this soon >.>, here's my machine info ..



[ Computer info ]
Comp: MBP 2.2 / ROM MBP31.0070.B07 / SMC 1.16f10 / 10.5.8 (9L31a)
Super Drive : Matshita DVD-R UJ-857E / ZA0E



[ Troubleshooting done so far ]
* Reset PMU (shutdown and left power unplugged for 30 seconds; i normally don't run with the battery).
* Back-zapped the mofo PRAM.



[ Notes ]
* I've only recently updated to Leopard (within a couple months), due to wanting to try out WAR. MISTAKE ON TWO FRONTS! sigh
* I've burned two DVDs since upgrading, which still mount, but no blank media so far.
* iMovie, which gets opened when feeling the need to work on my red-headed project, accesses the drive just about every launch; very suspicious. What did the iLifers do this time? Asshats.



[ Thoughts continued ]
Since i've been thinking about getting an external drive anyway, i figured i'd get it now to put the original Tiger on it. I'll report back my results.

I have a similar issue.

For me:
- it will play commercial DVDs with no problem (tested old an new)
- it will mount a data dvd that was burned
- It will play an audio CD that was burned
- It will not mount or play a commercial CD. (both were recent releases. One was enhance and the other was pretty vanilla.
- It would not mount the Canon 620MP install disk (had to mount on a different machine)


I tried the PRAM trick, no luck
I sprayed compressed air, no luck

The one thing that is interesting is that the problem seemed to happen after I upgraded to snow leopard.

Mac OS 10.6.2

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.5 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP41.00C1.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.28f2

Tried to get this fixed within the warranty period of my MacBook pro 4,1. Was not able to get this done, really poor technical service in the Netherlands!!!! Tried for several months, just gave up. You won Apple, this repair will not come out of your pocket! Bad Apple!

Just writing that this really needs to be investigated!

Also got a really bad keyboard. Really why do you sell overpriced aluminum bricks calling them computers! Really don't see why I payed a premium price for this piece of junk.

p.s after 10+years of Apple computers my next computer will be a DELL.

Add me to the list.

Plays Audio CD's without any issue (Haven't tried Data CD's, but I guess it works)
Doesn't play the original OSX data DVD (scratch less) nor any DVD movies or tv-series I own.

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N
Firmware Revision: AP09

I have only installed OSX 10.4.10 which I never use (nor update) (original DVD), and have bootcamp'ed it with Vista. So I presume it has nothing to do with the Snow Leopard thing people seem to mention.

Tried resetting the PRAM, no luck.
Will try a CD/DVD cleaner tomorrow after calling Apple Support.
Will also buy a can of air in case the CD/DVD cleaner doesn't work.

If all this doesn't work, I'll have to setup an appointment :o/

Will post a follow up once I get it working.

So add me to the list with the superdrive not working - 2006 MacBook Core 2 Duo - out of warranty. Like many others, I rarely use the superdrive, I found I had a problem when I went to upgrade from Tiger to SL.

First, the SL disc would spin a few times and then eject. Then I decided to reset PRAM (didn't fix it), and do a hard drive verify. Came back with an error on my header record. Went to load the original software disc that came with the computer to repair the header record. Wouldn't load the original discs. I made an appointment at the Genius Bar. 3 hours later, they fixed the header record and the OS is now SL - and they say I need a optical drive replacement - $250. The weird part is this - prior to taking the computer to Apple, I loaded a bunch of DVDs and opened them successfully (single layer). My copy of SL wouldn't load, a new copy of SL at the store wouldn't load, the Genius Bar version of SL WOULD load - weird. I'm going to play around on it tonight and see what other things work and don't work. I'll post the model number etc. tonight.

Oh and I tried cleaning the optical drive but the disc would only eject from the computer.

Update on my case.

I went to the Genius bar to see what they would think or offer about the issue.
I told them my Superdrive reads Audio CD's but doesn't read DVD's anymore. They oddly didn't test anything, I guess they took my word for it. Anyways, at least the service guy was nice enough to tell me what the possibilities are, since I did seem to have my head setup to try a couple of things before getting it replaced.

Nevertheless, I told him, I'd try a CD drive cleaner first, then maybe compressed air, and then, maybe fix it myself if it's too expensive at the store. They quoted me for about 262$ with the repair service. I obviously declined saying I'd try my other options first.

So, here's what I did. Bought a Dynex CD/DVD cleaner (Notice it's a CD cleaner too that I took, because I knew it would read Audio CD's)... That didn't completely fix it, but do notice I only did the cleaning process once. I did however notice that once I inserted a DVD drive inside, it did give it an extra attempt to read the drive.. which is maybe promising. So, next, I took my compressed air can and sprayed that air around .... (laptop was shutdown).. Booted off my OSX DvD and Oooh, it seemed to not work, I released the 'C' key (boot on CD key) and Oooh, to my surprise, the DVD started turning again.. and surprise suprise, the Apple showed up and now I'm in the installation process !!!!

Thanks to all.

So, to resume, the compressed air can did the job ( maybe the CD cleaner helped too, who knows)

Cheers

Message was edited by: tusky3

Just putting my 2 cents in that I'm having the same issue. I too like so many others rarely use this drive. I first noticed a problem when trying to burn a disk for a friend a few weeks ago and suddenly the drive was finicky about which blank DVDs it would write to. Now I'm trying to install something off of disk 2 of the Tiger install disks. A disk that was used probably 2 times, has not one scratch, always stored in the protective sleave in a box, etc., but it only intermittently reads and never as part of the package install I'm trying to do that starts with disk 1. Anyway, I have tried all the cleaning solutions other than opening the drive itself and cleaning the laser with a qtip to no avail. I've even tried that ben11 thing of applying a different firmware. I've confirmed that his firmware update took, but still nothing. PRAM has also been reset. I really hope this isn't a sign of Apple losing its way in quality as I just recently got a friend to spend an awful lot for a top of the line iMac so hope Apple doesn't make me look stupid.

At least yours read something. Mine does not read CDs, DVD's, not even Apple's DVD's. It has never worked from day 1.

Went to the apple store and they were quick to offer me applecare. Then they told me to buy AppleCare or see you later.
And I bought this macbook pro in october of this year.

Are you sure that people at Apple told you "to buy Applecare or see you later", Christian? Seems very strange given that you say your computer is only a couple of months old and comes with a 12 month hardware warranty!

If this is really the case then I suggest you contact Apple Customer Relations. The simple answer if it won't read anything is to get it repaired under warranty. Apple replace drives under warranty during the first twelve months if they have problems even if they simply have a dirty lens in almost all situations.

Rod

I didn't get mine replaced! Didn't get my faulty keyboard and trackpad replaced! Since a few days my MacBook pro is out of warranty! Now I can get helped by replacement parts full cost.

Apple is under investigation by a consumers organization here in the Netherlands, there warranty service is really, really bad over here. Apple service is going down the drain lately.

Rod, please provide the weblink for the group you mention. I'm unable to find it on the apple site.

regards, steve

Dutch Consumer Authorities Complaint about Apple

Monday, 07 December 2009

Kassa Last weekend, Apple got slashed on Dutch TV for ignoring warrantee obligations as defined according to Dutch law. Consumer Authorities are now joining forces to try and convince Apple to operate in-line with the law.

In an episode of the Dutch TV show ‘Kassa’ (famous for getting Microsoft to repaid Xbox 360 devices with the ring of death), a number of complaints where broadcasted toward millions of viewers, showing that Apple is not committing to free repairs when a device is older than one year. In the Netherlands, vendors are expected to support a product during its expected lifetime (which for the iPod Touch as an MP3 player would be 3 years).

They also showed hidden camera footage in which a team visits Apple retailers. In all cases, they where advices to buy Apple Care as it is nearly impossible to claim a free repair once the warrantee period of one year has expired.

The TV show tried to get in touch with Apple, but the company simply didn’t reply to their calls and e-mails.

At the same time, an organization called ‘De Consumentenbond’ has also started to raise awareness of the lacking support from Apple. They received dozens of complaints and informed consumers to go to court if retailers do not offer free repairs to Apple products during their expected lifetime.

Knowing the TV show, this will probably not be the end of this story.

Thanks RickAce, didn't see that episode, will watch it.

Problem still is that I got a unusable MacBook pro (sometimes I get these weird theater light stripes on my screen, almost can't use the keyboard and trackpad and the superdrive spits out almost every disc I put into it) and my warranty is run out since a few weeks. Tried everything in my power to get things fixed.

I use this machine to earn money.

Why is Apple turn bad on me????

I'm amazed and a little relieved to say that after reading all the stuff on this post, that I have managed to solve my issue.

Problem was:
Drive would not play some DVDs, including installation disc for SL. All DVDs were legally obtained etc.

Resolved issue by trying the following:

Reset PRAM - did not work
Tried the Flash reboot - did not work
Tried loading the disc with Disk Utility open - no change
Tried rebooting in Safe Mode - no change

Sprayed the slot of the drive with an air duster, then used a DVD lens cleaner - BINGO!

SL has now installed and I'm able to cancel my appointment with the Apple store tomorrow, which would almost certainly have cost me the price of a new Superdrive.

So, no matter how sceptical you may be about this fix - at least give it a try

Add me to the list of people with malfunctioning SuperDrives. I noticed it a few months ago before upgrading to OS 10.6, but just had occasional problems with DVD burn errors. Of course my MBP warranty ran out in mid-November and the problem has gotten increasingly worse since then. CDs seem to mount and work okay, but DVDs (if they'll even mount) will almost always have burn errors.

{This disc can't be verified and might be unreliable. Try again using a new blank disc. (error code 0x80020063).}

*Drive details:*
HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N
Firmware Revision: AP12
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)

*Hardware details:*
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo (Penryn processsor)
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP41.00C1.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.27f2

I've tried all of the fixes listed above in the previous posts to no avail. My external CD/DVD-RW is the only way I'm able to burn DVDs.

Seriously Apple, you need to acknowledge this problem and takes steps to remedy the situation just like you did a few years back with the Powerbook battery recalls. I've used your hardware and software for twenty years, and lately it seems as if the quality has really deteriorated.