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bibi5011

Q: Powerbook does not recognize Superdrive

Yesterday my Powerbook was acting funny and hanging at the white Apple logo at start up so I decided to stick in my boot CD so I could run some disk utilities to diagnose and remedy the problem. My Powerbook refused to boot from the CD (although it was working mechanically... you can hear the disc spinning) and after some PMU resets and PRAM resets I breathed life back into the computer. Then, however, the super drive refused to spit out the CD. Nothing I tried would make it cooperate. So I then checked the System Profiler and checked Disc Burning and got a disturbing message -

"No burning device was found. If you are using an external device please make sure that it is connected and powered properly."

The drive would always spin up, but refuse to read. I finally got fed up with it and cracked open my Powerbook took out my Superdrive and opened the case and rescued the Boot CD manually. My computer is no longer under warranty and I have been inside of it before and removed even more critical components such as the hard drive, so I'm certain I didn't break anything on the way in or out. Now, the Superdrive is still not being recognized by my computer and no longer accepts discs and spits them back out with a unenthusiastic tired tone.

Is there any way I can resuscitate my Superdrive?
Are there any methods I can use where I can confirm whether or not the Superdrive is dead or just experiencing difficulties?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex

15" Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.8), it owns!

Posted on Jun 20, 2010 10:31 AM

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Q: Powerbook does not recognize Superdrive

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  • by bibi5011,

    bibi5011 bibi5011 Jun 23, 2010 11:03 AM in response to bibi5011
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    Jun 23, 2010 11:03 AM in response to bibi5011
    I have an update to my problem.

    I recently got my computer to recognize the Superdrive. The steps I took to do so were:

    -I opened up my computer to check the drive and connection cable to make sure there was no way a lack of connection.
    -Reset PMU
    -Reset PRAM
    -Went into Open Firmware and used the commands (reset-nvram, set-defaults, reset-all)

    Booted my computer and sure enough my computer now acknowledges the existence of the superdrive; HOWEVER, it still does not accept any discs. It does not accept them to even start spinning, as soon as the disc is pushed in the drive throws it out with a negative ****** tone.

    Due to the new developments, is there any way to fix the problem?
    Do these symptoms indicate a dead Superdrive?

    Any help would be appreciated.
    Alex