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

Have you tried cleaning the drive, jolly_roger?

Cheers

Rod

Another person to add to the list:

I've got am early 2006 Intel iMac Core Duo 2Ghz with the same SuperDrive problems. Had the drive replaced under AppleCare in December of 2008. The replacement drive started to act crazy around December of 2009. Will read CDs. Won't read burned DVDs, nor will it burn DVDs. Will read factory-made DVDs.

I've tried compressed air and a lens cleaning disc (although I didn't run the lens cleaning disc as many times as some people here have). I plan to try a new lens cleaning disc and run it a number of times and we'll see how that works. Also, the idea of running the cleaning disc on a regular basis (maybe once a month) seems like a good preventative idea.

Either way, I'm ordering a LaCie LightScribe burner because my current printer does not print on DVDs. If I eventually get my SuperDrive working, then I'll have two working drives and the world will be a warm, fuzzy place, full of bunnies and rainbows again. HA!

I know this is pointless by now but... Add myself to the list of users having this same problem.

It started 2 months ago and I only use this to watch DVDs (movies). If I keep inserting the DVD enough times, eventually it will play. And it has nothing to do with overheating or anything like that. It could be dirt, as I have not tried blowing compressed air to it (yet). The problem aggravated me enough and I decided to find an answer for this; then I stumbled upon this thread!

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N:

Firmware Revision: AP09
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes <--- Yeah right!
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO

I used one of those DVD cleaners..

Bandridge SV220 and it did a job, now my laser reads DVDs again
http://www.positive.rs/racunari.php?idtipkomp=139&artikal=4475

Too Right Gryff...

I've been using my MBP since late 07' (early 08'). I've read and burned probably 5 CD's or DVD's over this time. I put most of my media on thumb or external pocket drives (I find transfers are faster this way). The few times I used my MBP to burn a disk it sounded like the insides were being pulled apart.
If APPLE and our Laundry service thinks this is normal they should reconsider their role in life. The point is not to deliver broken equipment to the customer.
I've cleaned my MBP religiously following all guidelines (I'm certified by Apple for repair but I don't do it professionally).
I upgraded to 10.6 a few months ago and had no problems until just the other day.
All of a sudden the drive starts acting dumb as a post. Every disk inserted is kicked out, cleaning disks too.
I check all internals and switches through several different console and Apple (insider) apps buried in your system. All to no avail.
I've had this system and it works perfectly for my development work but the one time I'm really interested in using the DVD, the SUPERdrive Apple supplies, it goes belly up. This after maybe 5 or 7 uses. Not Good.
So I happen to have a spare MB I had gotten for my wife which is now our spare parts department. I opened up the MB which low and behold has all the same parts as a MBP?! Go figure...
I popped out the SuperDrive from the MB and put it in my MBP and bang, I'm back in business.
The problem I have though is really your point. Why the heck does Apple have this IVORY tower perspective that the ENTIRE user community is daft and doesn't know how to use a DVD or CD. C'mon its only 30 years after we started using this technology. You'd think they could get a simple thing like a CD/DVD drive right considering their BEAT-DOWN competitor has been shipping working combo drives in their machines for 4 years with narry a blip on the broken drive in shipping column.
Where or where is my apple support gone?? Long time missing...

OK, now I did not feel like reading through the whole thread so forgive me if this has been asked. I just noticed tonight that the disc drive stopped working. If I bring it to a genius bar, and they find that it needs to be replaced (it is still under warranty-got it in September):
a. Will the repairs be free
b. Is it possible for them to replace JUST the disc drive? I am one of those people who become attached to their computers and I don't want a new one.

If the Mac Genius decides your optical drive needs replacement and the computer is under warranty it should be free, provided they do not determine that the failure is due to abuse and the drive is the one that came with it or one that Apple has replaced it with.

Apple generally attempts to repair first, and replace only if they find they are unable to repair. If they find other parts besides the optical drive that are in need of replacement they may do those as well. Be sure you have backups of your important data before carrying in, as it is possible the hard drive could be replaced and they will do it without warning you. Unlikely but it can happen.

Be sure to [make an appointment|http://apple.com/retail] before you go to the store as otherwise you might spend a long time waiting to talk to a Mac Genius.

Best of luck.

This happened to me several months ago. I took it to the Apple store where I was told the Optical drive was failing.

I ordered a brand new one from the Powerbook Medics and this weekend installed it plus a new 500gig HD.
HD was fine.
The new superdrive has exactly the same issue. This is NOT had H/W issue unless it's the logic board, this is a F/W, S/W or update issue.
Anyone find a solution??????
Thanks

I have a similar problem just discovered recently. My drive is

HL-DT-ST DVD RW GS21N
Firmware version: SA18

Cleaning the drive by blowing air with an air can with a straw fixed this for me. Inserting a DVD worked on first try.

And for those whose cleaner DVD gets ejected before it even manages to spin, try shaking gently you MBP up and down when you insert the cleaning DVD. It helped me and the DVD did its job.

Hi,

I had same issue. Go to System Preferences -> CDs & DVDs.

I changed "When you insert blank DVD"

from:
Tost Titanium

to:
Ask what to do

And now mac is no more refusing blank DVD-R's

Cheers,
miha

I've been having the same problems with my superdrive as well. I tried to backup some data into an DVD+R and the drive just keeps on ejecting the dvd after some repeating seeking sounds. It also fails to read some dvd and cd. Other disks like OSX install disk, it can read. I've tried almost everything except the cleaning dvd. The guarantee on my mini ended yesterday sigh

So if the cleaning dvd and canned air sprayed into the slot of the drive doesn't work, I'm all out of options? This is my only computer so sending this to repair is not really and option. Do you know if the local apple store would fix or replace this even the guarantee ended or should I just go and buy an external drive

I don't care if the drive makes sounds after waking from sleep or makes noises when reading a disk, I just want it to work!

OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5670S:

Firmware Revision: 2AHI
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, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: Insert media and refresh to show available burn speeds

Found out issue.

Took it to the Apple store, agreed that if they could replace and/or fix the drive AND ribbon cord I would pay the $160 for it unless it was the logic board.

IT WAS THE LOGIC board at that very same spot. Seems to somehow be "Aging" for lack of a better term.

They (The "Bench") is seeing a number of this at my location.

This is, IMO, a design flaw and I'm wondering if and how all users can communicate to Apple about this and get them fixed. One of those on-line patition's Perhaps???

Good luck. for me of course, it's not worth replacing the logic board.
T

P.S. On a lot of your systems it very well could also be the "ribbon" cord so you can order one of those from Powerbookmedics.com etc.....

But I think it's a design flaw whereas the logic board is aging/failing at this one spot just like the old white iBook G4's did.