Superdrive will not accept CDs or DVDs

Question

Superdrive will not accept CDs or DVDs

The same happens with both CDs and DVDs.

The disc does not seem to be in the drive long enough for software to reject it on content grounds. Discs are clean so far as I can tell.

The same happens whichever account is logged in.

Have tried following the trouble shooting page and resetting the PMU. Not sure it happened exactly as it should; anyways no apparent difference.

Is there anything else I can do before opening my wallet.

Powerbook G4 1.25GHz Superdrive Mac OS X (10.3.9) Bought October 2003

Posted on Nov 28, 2005 2:11 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 28, 2005 3:30 AM in response to AlastairMeasures

Is your drive still recognized when launching System Profiler?

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 28, 2005 3:38 AM in response to Kay Marczoch

Thanks for asking.

Yes it appears to be recognised:

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-816:

Manufacturer: MATSHITA
Model: MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-816
Revision: DXJ3
Serial Number:
Drive Type: CD-RW/DVD-RW
Disc Burning: Apple Supported/Shipped
Removable Media: Yes
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal

I take it the lack of a serial number is normal.

Thanks
A

Powerbook G4 1.25GHz Superdrive Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 28, 2005 3:42 AM in response to AlastairMeasures

Did you also try to reset PRAM/NVRAM?

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 28, 2005 5:38 AM in response to Kay Marczoch

Did you also try to reset PRAM/NVRAM?

Try being the operative word. Not sure it did the
reset when I followed the instructions.

Being unsure I removed the main battery pack
and left it over night in the hopes that might
do it.

Hum.. I will print out the instructions and
then try again, but kinda doubt it will help.

Thanks ...

Powerbook G4 1.25GHz Superdrive Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 28, 2005 9:27 AM in response to AlastairMeasures

Don't know which instruction you followed, take a look also at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

Reply

Answer 6

Nov 29, 2005 6:13 AM in response to Kay Marczoch

Thank you for the link to the instructions which are more
clear than the ones I had seen.

I have followed the directions and reset PRAM and NVRAM.
It made the right noises indicating that it was doing
the right things.

Sadly the superdrive will still not accept a CD or DVD.

Thank you for your help.

Powerbook G4 1.25GHz Superdrive Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Reply

Answer 7

Nov 29, 2005 6:18 AM in response to AlastairMeasures

Maybe it's a good idea to take it / call Apple-service

Reply

Answer 8

Dec 10, 2005 12:56 AM in response to Kay Marczoch

Thankyou for the helpful and informed advice.

Haven't manage to connect with Apple; however a local
dealership have quoted 400 sterling (700 dollars) to
replace the superdrive. Some other dealerships refuse
to do this transplant.

Reading around the subject on the internet suggests
that this is not unusual for these Matshita drives.
Replacing with an identical drive would seem to leave
a probability of this happening again in 6 months.

I cannot afford this (crap health, limited work). My
first Apple may well be my last. I like the design and
much about the software but top dollar prices and low
grade components are suffocating.

Reply

Answer 9

Dec 11, 2005 4:55 PM in response to AlastairMeasures

Greetings, I'm having the same problems. My drive is the UJ-825. It started happening couple of days ago.

See this video here http://www.macephemera.gr/Videos/superdrive.3gp that I've taken today with my mobile, to see what I call a SUPERdrive.

I'm wondering whether should I cry or laugh about this. This is starting to be really annoying as it is my second laptop and I have the same problems on my first (iBook) which the drive of my iBook is now dead...

Best,
D.

Reply

Answer 10

Dec 11, 2005 9:07 PM in response to Dimitrios Chatzieleftheriou

If your PB does not accept any CD / DVD, there is unfortunately a very high chance the drive unit has to be replaced.
The best test is to try to start from the install cd. If it is rejected at start up, then the drive is dead. This happened to me three times with my previous TiBook, fortunately under applecare coverage.

If you are within one year or have an applecare coverage, no problem here. If you are not, there is the possibility to buy a new unit for 150 Euros (UJ-845B, panasonic), if you feel like installing it yourself. This not so difficult.

Reply

Answer 11

Dec 11, 2005 9:08 PM in response to Dimitrios Chatzieleftheriou

?????

Reply

Answer 12

Dec 12, 2005 12:00 AM in response to Luc Thiberville

did you see the video? wasn't funny. it's real and it's not a set-up I wanted to saw it to a friend of mine and it happened to be funny after all. 🙂

I guess the situation with my drive is randomly. If it wants to read it will read and it would be fine. If it doesn't want to read it won't do and it will ejected.

For anyone having this kind of problems in UK and he/she can't find a drive replacement this is what I am thinking to buy. http://www.scan.co.uk/products/productinfo.asp?WebProductID=316020 They say that it is only compatible with Windows on their site but I guess that because they are only selling for PCs mostly. But it's the same with this one from meritline http://www.meritline.com/pioneer-dvr-k-05-slim-8x-dual-layer-dvd-burner-drive.ht ml and the price is more or less the same. And if you want to fix it for yourself try this site... http://www.pbfixit.com

Best,
Dimitris

Reply

Answer 13

Dec 13, 2005 2:14 PM in response to Dimitrios Chatzieleftheriou

Dimitri,

The link did show only a long list of strange characters.

This Panasonic is Mac compatible :
http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/product/Panasonic-UJ-845-B-Slim-Multi-DVDDL-UJ845B-D VDRW-Dual-Layer-Burner/spc/23660778.html

There is a patch that makes it iapps compatible if you go for this one.

Take care

Luc

Reply

Answer 14

Dec 14, 2005 1:55 AM in response to Luc Thiberville

If your PB does not accept any CD / DVD, there is
unfortunately a very high chance the drive unit has
to be replaced.

Sort of reached that conclusion.

The best test is to try to start from the install cd.
If it is rejected at start up, then the drive is
dead. This happened to me three times with my
previous TiBook, fortunately under applecare
coverage.

If you are within one year or have an applecare
coverage, no problem here. If you are not, there is
the possibility to buy a new unit for 150 Euros
(UJ-845B, panasonic), if you feel like installing it
yourself. This not so difficult.

Bought from John Lewis so got a two year warranty
which expired two months before the superdrive failed.

As for buying a replacement drive: The Panasonic UJ
drives offered by third parties do not carry the
Apple firmware; and I regard them as flawed anyway.

As for installing one: Dealerships are quoting 4 hours
of engineer time .... and they have had rather more
practice than I have. Do you have direct experience?

A

Reply

Answer 15

Dec 14, 2005 2:07 AM in response to Dimitrios Chatzieleftheriou

did you see the video? wasn't funny. it's real and
it's not a set-up I wanted to saw it to a friend of
mine and it happened to be funny after all. 🙂

Not yet but I will.

I guess the situation with my drive is randomly. If
it wants to read it will read and it would be fine.
If it doesn't want to read it won't do and it will
ejected.

Might your heads need cleaning?

For anyone having this kind of problems in UK and
he/she can't find a drive replacement this is what I
am thinking to buy.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/productinfo.asp?WebProd
uctID=316020 They say that it is only compatible
with Windows on their site but I guess that because
they are only selling for PCs mostly.

Looks a reasonable deal; and there is a comment
on their system mentioning successful installation
into a Mac Mini. That said I am also cautious as to
whether the drive needs to be master/slave or even
cable select; some of these kind of drives are hard
wired (or its done in firmware).

And if you want to fix it for yourself
try this site... http://www.pbfixit.com

Thanks for this. I had spotted it and intended
to invest in their guidance if I get close to doing
the replacement myself.

Thankyou to everyone, I am now taking it to talk to
a dealership. My wallet has this sinking feeling.

Reply