Level 2

189 points

Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-118L

I recently replaced my optical drive on my G5 as it was not reliably burning DVDs. I ordered the Pioneer DVR-188L from New Egg after I did some research online. The drive burns great. But intermittently the drive won't eject and then the computer won't shut down. I tried zapping the PRAM and that seemed to work at least during my immediate tests. But if I put in a DVD and play it with the DVD player sometimes I can't get the drive to respond afterward. Then I force shut down and restart and then it will be fine. Is there some type of setting in the computer that needs to be adjusted or does this mean this drive won't work with this machine?

Graphite 2x 500 G4 PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Posted on Jan 14, 2010 7:32 AM

31 replies

Keith Brown Author

Level 2

189 points

Feb 10, 2010 1:14 PM in response to DaddyPaycheck

Yes. I left a DVD running last night. This morning it was on the menu screen and the drive was frozen and the computer doesn't respond either. I disconnected the drive and connected it again and then was able to eject the disc. There doesn't seem to be any pins damaged.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 10, 2010 3:54 PM in response to Keith Brown

I mean disconnect both cables, start the Mac up & see if it ever freezes without it.

Keith Brown Author

Level 2

189 points

Feb 10, 2010 7:10 PM in response to BDAqua

It does not freeze unless I'm using the DVD.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 10, 2010 7:57 PM in response to Keith Brown

My guess is Logic Board problems, workaround might be a Firewire DVD drive.

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Feb 10, 2010 9:43 PM in response to Keith Brown

Hi-

Any entries in Utilities/Console/Logs/System Log that correspond with the freezes?

Try a new User account to see if it may be software related to your account.

Feb 12, 2010 10:03 AM in response to Keith Brown

I have the same prob with Pioneer dvr-111d. Best way of fooling it that I've found is to open Toast - go to "Recorder" and click eject. It works every time. Whether it works with other burning applications - I don't know. GL David

Keith Brown Author

Level 2

189 points

Feb 23, 2010 8:54 PM in response to David Shortt

I brought the machine to an Apple store. They replaced the drive with a much older one that didn't burn DL discs and charged me $110 even though they told me that it would do all that the original drive did. And it didn't. So now they are trying to figure out what to do. When the drive freezes, nothing will work that is connected with the drive. It's like the drive no longer has power. DVD player won't work, DVD Studio Pro, etc. Is there another drive that will work on my machine, or that works for someone else. I now own two drives that don't really work. I was able to return the 3rd. I've never had this much trouble before.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 23, 2010 9:34 PM in response to Keith Brown

It may be a more serious problem, but...

http://eshop.macsales.com/staticpages/Framework.cfm?page=superdrive/sdl_powermacg5.html

You cn easily replace it yourself.

Keith Brown Author

Level 2

189 points

Feb 24, 2010 3:19 PM in response to BDAqua

I've tried replacing myself but the drives I've replace it with crash my machine, usually when I'm using Mac the Ripper.

Mar 2, 2010 4:24 PM in response to Keith Brown

Pardon me, but I too just picked up this same unit. Doesn't work though. Will not play DVD's or CD's. Burns GREAT, just doesn't play anything. Installed Patchburn correctly. System Profiler now recognizes it as supported. Doesn't play anything though. Anyone have any suggestions?

P.S. Yes, my system specs are correct.

TY very much in advance.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Mar 4, 2010 3:12 PM in response to Mark Titus

Hi Mark, see if VLC Player will play a Video_TS folder...

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Mar 12, 2010 12:47 PM in response to BDAqua

I've had the same problem with the Pioneer 118BLK running 10.5.8. In fact, I've sent it back to Pioneer twice for repair. I've paid as much in shipping it back to Pioneer as I paid for the unit in the first place.

Third time is not a charm as it continues to freeze my computer when I have a DVD installed and I try to access a file from that DVD. Just got off the phone with Pioneer again. They are replacing the unit with a new one (finally), but I have a feeling that the issue is a compatibility problem with 10.5.8. I've run Disk Utility, Disk Warrior, zapped PRAM, stood on my head and counted to 10, but nothing works. My G5 runs like a champ when this unit is not installed. I'll report back when I have the new unit installed, but I'm not optimistic. I could be reduced to finding a legacy Superdrive on eBay.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Mar 12, 2010 1:04 PM in response to Tim Varnau

Hi Tim, and a warm welcome to the forums! 🙂

I have seen reports of problems with Pioneers & 10.5.x.

I could be reduced to finding a legacy Superdrive on eBay.

I have this Samsung in my G5 and it works fine...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Samsung/SHS222NBLS/

Mar 14, 2010 4:15 PM in response to Tim Varnau

Let me get this straight, please. Do U believe your SD is affecting the OS? I'm running X 4.11. Runs terribly. Lots of little thing that never happened in any other upgrade.

User Login Box likes to flutter when U hit ok.

Screen flashes on & off when starting up to OS 9.2.3 and again when it goes back to X.

Video stream is awful and I have fiber optics.

Mighty Mouse disappears for some reason. Hot corners are turned off. Can't figure that one out.

Just named a few. Could they be related to this burner ya think?

Thanx

{BTW, hows your upload speed with it? Mines AWFUL.}

Apr 1, 2010 1:59 PM in response to Mark Titus

I have also installed

DVR-118L

ran patchburn 4.05

10.411

Everything worked fine for a while. Last couple days I'm having same problem. Have to restart to eject disk.

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Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-118L