Level 1

15 points

Superdrive keeps ejecting disc

I have a 1 ghz 17"powerbook, matshita UJ-815 superdrive, running 10.4.2 and all the latest updates, I have run disc first aid, checked and deleted the duplicate fonts, reset the PRAM, restarted with the disc in, re-inserted the disc numerous times in a row, All to no avail, evertime I insert anytype of disc, after about 35 seconds, and a few "reading disc" type of sounds, the disc ejects, this applies to anytype of disc, cd's dvd's new, already burned, etc. I have tried them all. I have read a few other posts about people having the same problem. Apple care has run out, and the nearest apple store is 2 hours away. Any recommendations, I am considering purchasing a new superdrive from here :

link

And then follow this procedure:

http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/55.8.0.html

Any advice before I proceed would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Greg

[ Edited by Apple Discussions Moderator; href URL ]

Posted on Sep 7, 2005 9:57 AM

Top-ranking reply

Jeffrey Foote

Level 1

20 points

Posted on Dec 13, 2005 8:34 PM

RE: superdrive spits out dvd and cds
( msg # 1.: Posted Feb 8, 05 9:58 pm )

Jeffrey Foote

Joined: Jun, 2003

Posts: 9
I have used the procedure below 4-6 times in the last 6 months, has always worked until this go around tonight. I don't see any other suggestions.... so it might help.... I'm trying again now.
Note: I'm using 10.4.2, but no relationship to software recent software install or upgrade... just decided not to work.
•I did read an apple note that changing batteries while unplugged an asleep can mess with power manager...... and that seems to be the case when the disk is quietly never being accessed before eject....

I have the same 17 1ghz powerbook, and just fixed this problem for 2nd time in 6 months. (No clear idea why it happens.... from posts it appears that power manager/battery processes sometimes fool the drive into thinking it must act that way)

anyway, I followed ALL of the suggestions posted in these discussion areas, none worked alone... this is the order that did it.

1. Reset PRAM by restarting holding down apple-option p-r until 2nd restart sound

2. nvram reset (see this post)
Macintosh: How to Reset PRAM and NVRAM

... Article ID: 2238. Created: 1987-06-02. Modified: 2004-06 ... steps in the Solution section of technical document 42642: "Macintosh: Computer Starts to Text-Based Open ...

(basically says restart with option-apple-o-f
at prompt type
reset-nvram (hit return)
reset-all (hit return)

Document No. 2238

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642

3. power manager reset-
shut down, unplug, pull battery
- hold down apple-option-shift-power button
- release, then replace battery
-restart

PowerBook G4 (12-inch)  PowerBook G4 (12-inch DVI)  PowerBook G4 (12-inch 1.33GHz)  PowerBook G4 (12-inch 1.5GHz)  PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW 800)  PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.5/1.33GHz)  PowerBook G4 (17-inch)  PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.33GHz)  PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.5GHz)
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Reset the power manager by simultaneously pressing and then releasing Shift-Control-Option-Power on the keyboard. Do not press the fn (Function) key while using this combination of keystrokes.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Press the Power button to restart the computer.

this worked..... good luck

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27 replies

Jan 3, 2006 4:16 AM in response to Greg Gunkel

Hi - has anyone found a solution? I have just upgraded to 10.4 from 10.2 and now I'm getting the same trouble - all disks are ejected. It sounds like the mechanism is working but the disk won't spin.
I've installed all the available upgrades (to 10.4.3).

I have a 17inch Pb 1GHz with a MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-815 combo drive.

I read somewhere that if classic doesn't find the drive it might be a software issue... I'm not good with classic, but the classic profiler doesn't appear to list a DVD drive at all. Can anyone confirm this?

Could anyone tell me what the PRAM etc resets mentioned in previous post actually do? Will I only have to reset the clock or will there be more things affected?

Could it be a drive firmware issue?
I've never installed new firmware, but would this be upgraded with 10.4? Could this be the issue?

I've read as much as I can, but I'm really a novice - any help would be really appreciated!

David.

17in G4 Powerbook 1Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

mcfc68

Level 1

15 points

Jan 3, 2006 8:59 AM in response to d-a-v-i-d

I am in exactly the same boat as you David. My superdrive started to crap out exactly at the time I moved to Tiger 10.4. I have tried all the solutions listed above. Using MacJanitor, Onyx, etc sometimes solves the issue, but it is temporary. The drive craps out again after one or two passes.

I, like you, feel this is a firmware issue. It seems to be a consistent problem with people going to 10.4. I am similarly an educated novice, so will never know for sure. Am relucatant to go out and add to the piles of landfill out there by buying a new external burner, which short of forking out for a very expensive replacement superdrive, seems to be the only solution. Instead, I vainly hold on to see if a firmware solution is in the offing.

Jan 3, 2006 10:35 AM in response to mcfc68

Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if the upgrade was the problem... I experienced this a few months after I bought the machine and then only very occasionally since - but now every disk ejects without spinning. It could be a faulty drive but it has happened directly after I upgraded to 10.4.3.

I'm tempted to try a firmware flash but I'm not brave enough yet. ( http://superdrive.cynikal.net/)

I wonder if the upgrade from 10.2.8 to 10.4.3 would affect the DVD drive firmware? I wouldn't have thought so but I'm certainly not an expert.
At the moment mine is MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-815 DWDB. I wonder if anyone else who is experiencing problems has the same firmware?

One of the earler posts gives a link to decent looking internal replacement drive and fitting instructions (I think Greg posted it).
It's not so expensive and supports a range of media - but I hope I can fix this one...

17in G4 Powerbook 1Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Jan 8, 2006 3:46 PM in response to Greg Gunkel

Heya, My superdrive has randomly started working again, i tried everything that was sugested in this forum and nothing worked, but then a couple of days after i tried installing the 3rd party firmware it just accepted my cd's, so it cant have been a hardware problem but some sort of glitch in the software somewere

imginow

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2006 10:17 AM in response to d-a-v-i-d

Howdy,

I just experienced the same issue after 3 years of (mostly) problem free use with my Powerbook G4 17". I have not done any upgrades or added software within the last month. Over the last 24 hours, for some reason, all types of discs have been ejecting without being recognized. I tried this "shake" method and presto, the discs work fine. Now, I need to find out what's loose inside to make the fix actually work!

Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Feb 19, 2006 6:12 AM in response to imginow

Gang:

I'm now in this boat with all of you.

Tried Onyx, MacJanitor, and Cache Out. Also performed several rounds on insert-and-shaking, but the disc keep ejecting.

What's the suggestion involving Firmware?

Any new ideas since last post?

Thanks for any help.

TD

Oct 2, 2005 3:57 PM in response to Greg Gunkel

I too have the same computer configuration as Greg does and I am having the same troubles. What can I do? I am living currently in Santiago, Chile.
Thank you,
Robert

mcfc68

Level 1

15 points

Nov 23, 2005 1:04 PM in response to Robert Tumanic

Would love to know if someone has a solution to this problem. I have exactly the same issue right now.

mcfc68

Level 1

15 points

Dec 6, 2005 8:35 AM in response to ali brown

Thanks Ali,

I'd almost given up. That's very kind of you.

Best

Paul

ali brown

Level 7

26,493 points

Dec 6, 2005 8:42 AM in response to mcfc68

Hi Paul!

You're Welcome!

I would have responded sooner, but my subscription to this topic was lost when the "New Discussions" format took effect.

Good Luck!

ali b

Jan 1, 2006 6:40 PM in response to Greg Gunkel

Hi, Im having this problem too, ive got a 17inch 1ghz. Ive tried all of the suggestions above but to no avail, does this mean i need a new drive?

cheers

mcfc68

Level 1

15 points

Mar 12, 2006 7:08 AM in response to Adam Marley

Adam, What was the third party firmware you installed?

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Superdrive keeps ejecting disc