Pioneer BDR-206bk blu ray drive issues

Question

Pioneer BDR-206bk blu ray drive issues

I bought a new 206, installed it in the second bay. The machine takes a long time to boot, in fact if I "restart", it will come up with the no disk and I have to power off/on.

Sometimes after the machine has been running a while, the drive disappears. Has anyone else successfully this drive.... i.e. is this drive bad or the combination?

mgg

MacPro 2009, Mac OS X (10.6.6), four internal sata drives, two esata on controller, Toast 10 pro installed

Posted on Jan 16, 2011 8:32 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 1, 2017 7:28 PM in response to michael gardner

Hello Same Problem. I Have a Mac Pro 4.1 Flashed to 5.1 Have the supported DVD drive at the normal upper bay and Pioneer BDR-207D at the lower Bay. My story : Blu ray placed at the lower Bay and used the upper serial ata connector for a small laptop HDD 120 gig of stuff, I thought the issue had something to do with the HDD spin down or sleep. I then decided to take out the HDD and put my original DVD apple drive, but the problem still happens, flashed the BRay to 1,60 firmware and it still disappears after a will, disabled screen saver and still disappears !!. The fact is that if you reboot it comes alive again !! but for a will it then disappears !! I thought i was alone with this problem but now I see many as it. By the way in BootCamp under Win 7 And Win 10 the BlueRay works fine !!! It must me a low level instruction misplaced that is not waking up the drive. Never had this problem before with Pioneer optical drives on other older G4 Mac pros.

Some times the drive disappears and some time the system UI hang up when you try accessing it.

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Answer 2

TeenTitan

Level 4

2,640 points

Jan 16, 2011 11:17 AM in response to michael gardner

Hi Michael Gardner,

If you unplug the BlueRay Drive dose the issue go away? This would help to verify the issue is the blueray and not some thing else like your hard drive.

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Answer 3

Jan 16, 2011 12:19 PM in response to TeenTitan

oh, so perhaps I have some coincidental problem. This machine doesn't get rebooted often. I unpluged the 206 - and no change. Toast (uptodate) and the BD plugin are still installed. Here is the syslog from startup. The machine came up with the grey apple screen for just over a minute, then switched to light blue where it sat for over 4 minutes, then finished. That roughly corresponds to the huge delay between 2:04 and 2:09. Any clues?

1/16/11 2:03:43 PM com.apple.loginwindow[36] Shutdown NOW!
1/16/11 2:03:43 PM com.apple.loginwindow[36] System shutdown time has arrived
1/16/11 2:04:14 PM com.apple.launchctl.System[2] launchctl: Please convert the following to launchd: /etc/mach_init.d/dashboardadvisoryd.plist
1/16/11 2:04:14 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.adobe.SwitchBoard) Unknown key: ServiceDescription
1/16/11 2:04:14 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.RemoteDesktop.PrivilegeProxy) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
1/16/11 2:04:14 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.usbmuxd) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
1/16/11 2:04:14 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (org.cups.cupsd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
1/16/11 2:04:14 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (org.ntp.ntpd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
1/16/11 2:04:14 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (org.x.privileged_startx) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
1/16/11 2:04:16 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.openssh.sshd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
1/16/11 2:04:22 PM com.apple.qmaster.qmasterd[54] 01/16/2011 14:04:22.197: qmasterd started
1/16/11 2:04:22 PM com.apple.qmaster.qmasterd[54] 01/16/2011 14:04:22.632: received QmasterPrefsChangedNotification
1/16/11 2:04:22 PM com.apple.IFCStart[39] Sun Jan 16 14:04:22 MacPro.local ifcstart[39] <Warning>: 3891612: (CGSLookupServerRootPort) Untrusted apps are not allowed to connect to or launch Window Server before login.
1/16/11 2:04:22 PM com.apple.IFCStart[39] Sun Jan 16 14:04:22 MacPro.local ifcstart[39] <Error>: kCGErrorRangeCheck : On-demand launch of the Window Server is allowed for root user only.
1/16/11 2:04:22 PM com.apple.IFCStart[39] Sun Jan 16 14:04:22 MacPro.local ifcstart[39] <Error>: kCGErrorRangeCheck : Set a breakpoint at CGErrorBreakpoint() to catch errors as they are returned
1/16/11 2:04:23 PM com.apple.IFCStart[39] _RegisterApplication(), FAILED TO establish the default connection to the WindowServer, _CGSDefaultConnection() is NULL.
1/16/11 2:09:37 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.UserEventAgent-LoginWindow[121]) Exited: Terminated
1/16/11 2:09:37 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.ScreenSharing.server[120]) Exited: Terminated
1/16/11 2:09:37 PM com.apple.launchctl.Aqua[167] launchctl: Please convert the following to launchd: /etc/mach init_peruser.d/com.adobe.SwitchBoard.monitor.plist
1/16/11 2:09:37 PM com.apple.launchd[165] (com.apple.AirPortBaseStationAgent) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
1/16/11 2:09:37 PM com.apple.launchd[165] (org.x.startx) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
1/16/11 2:09:41 PM com.apple.FolderActions.enabled[169] launchctl: Error unloading: com.apple.FolderActions.folders
1/16/11 2:09:41 PM com.apple.launchd[165] (0x100f40.switchboard.sh) Failed to check-in!
1/16/11 2:09:42 PM com.apple.loginwindow[36] 2011-01-16 14:09:42.244 Intensity Firmware Updater[164:10b] BMDFirmwareUpdate: starting
1/16/11 2:09:42 PM com.apple.loginwindow[36] 2011-01-16 14:09:42.302 Intensity Firmware Updater[164:10b] BMDFirmwareUpdate: Looking for next device
1/16/11 2:09:42 PM com.apple.loginwindow[36] 2011-01-16 14:09:42.305 Intensity Firmware Updater[164:10b] BMDFirmwareUpdate: Found device 0000a117, fw version: 0000001c
1/16/11 2:09:42 PM com.apple.loginwindow[36] 2011-01-16 14:09:42.306 Intensity Firmware Updater[164:10b] BMDFirmwareUpdate: Firmware uptodate
1/16/11 2:09:42 PM com.apple.loginwindow[36] 2011-01-16 14:09:42.306 Intensity Firmware Updater[164:10b] BMDFirmwareUpdate: Looking for next device
1/16/11 2:09:42 PM com.apple.loginwindow[36] 2011-01-16 14:09:42.307 Intensity Firmware Updater[164:10b] BMDFirmwareUpdate: No more device
1/16/11 2:09:42 PM com.apple.loginwindow[36] 2011-01-16 14:09:42.307 Intensity Firmware Updater[164:10b] BMDFirmwareUpdate: exiting
1/16/11 2:09:54 PM Dock[189] [QL ERROR] Generator database update takes too long... we will use what we currently have

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Answer 4

Jan 28, 2011 1:37 PM in response to michael gardner

I can confirm this bug.

I installed a BDR-206 Blu-Ray drive in my second bay. The drive was immediately recognized and operated fine. Overnight, however, the drive "disappeared." So did the Superdrive in the top bay. After reboot, both drives reappeared. After a few hours, however, the Blu Ray drive again disappeared, although the superdrive remained

After the drive disappears, the eject button does not function, and system profiler freezes when I select disc burning and I have to force quit. The only way to get the drive to reappear is reboot.

Ideas?

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Answer 5

Jan 28, 2011 1:49 PM in response to Rob Reuland

i thought that turning off "shut down drives" in energy management seemed to "fix" this, but i just rechecked and nope, the drive is gone......
mgg

Message was edited by: michael gardner

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Answer 6

Jan 28, 2011 1:53 PM in response to michael gardner

This thread:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11426567&#11426567

says disabling disk sleep fixes the problem. I don't have disk sleep enabled, so its not an issue for me.

I called Apple and they basically punted, saying its a third party product so I'm on my own. They recommending the usual: zapping pram and resetting smc. I'll give that a go.

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Answer 7

Jan 29, 2011 11:18 AM in response to Rob Reuland

opps, I forgot I unplugged the drive - back in - seems so far to be not putting it to sleep. I still have the very long delay during boot which is probably unrelated.

1/29/11 12:05:54 PM com.apple.qmaster.qmasterd[66] 01/29/2011 12:05:54.798: qmasterd started
1/29/11 12:05:54 PM com.apple.IFCStart[51] Sat Jan 29 12:05:54 MacPro.local ifcstart[51] <Warning>: 3891612: (CGSLookupServerRootPort) Untrusted apps are not allowed to connect to or launch Window Server before login.
1/29/11 12:05:54 PM com.apple.IFCStart[51] Sat Jan 29 12:05:54 MacPro.local ifcstart[51] <Error>: kCGErrorRangeCheck : On-demand launch of the Window Server is allowed for root user only.
1/29/11 12:05:54 PM com.apple.IFCStart[51] Sat Jan 29 12:05:54 MacPro.local ifcstart[51] <Error>: kCGErrorRangeCheck : Set a breakpoint at CGErrorBreakpoint() to catch errors as they are returned
1/29/11 12:05:54 PM com.apple.qmaster.qmasterd[66] 01/29/2011 12:05:54.889: received QmasterPrefsChangedNotification
1/29/11 12:05:55 PM com.apple.IFCStart[51] _RegisterApplication(), FAILED TO establish the default connection to the WindowServer, _CGSDefaultConnection() is NULL.

1/29/11 12:11:11 PM com.apple.KernelEventAgent[49] KernelEventAgent: sysctl_queryfs: No such file or directory
1/29/11 12:11:12 PM com.apple.KernelEventAgent[49] KernelEventAgent: sysctl_queryfs: No such file or directory
1/29/11 12:11:12 PM com.apple.KernelEventAgent[49] KernelEventAgent: sysctl_queryfs: No such file or directory
1/29/11 12:11:12 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.UserEventAgent-LoginWindow[220]) Exited: Terminated
1/29/11 12:11:12 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.ScreenSharing.server[219]) Exited: Terminated

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Answer 8

Jan 29, 2011 11:34 AM in response to michael gardner

If your Mac lingers at the gray Apple with gear screen, you may want to semi-permanently enable Verbose mode to watch what is actually doing while the gear is spinning. Although the stuff that scrolls by can be pretty obscure, sometimes seeing what it is doing when it hangs up can be insightful.

This article discusses the procedure and include undo instructions:

http://osxdaily.com/2007/03/25/always-boot-mac-os-x-in-verbose-mode/

The movie version:
In Terminal type:
sudo nvram boot-args="-v"
... and enter your password, which will not be echoed.

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Answer 9

Jan 30, 2011 8:04 AM in response to michael gardner

probably too late to change, but have heard of less problems with LG drives from OWC.

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Answer 10

rpjallan

Level 1

0 points

Feb 5, 2011 6:26 PM in response to Global Hiccup

I just bought one of these drives for my new Mac Pro and I am having the same issues. I must say that when it's available it works really well though. The original super drive in my Mac Pro is rubbish (HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH61N). I can not burn any DVD videos successfully with it at all. My last Mac Pro had a Pioneer DVR-112 and it was a robust drive - never had any problems. I thought that rather than try to get Apple to replace the drive, and to give blue ray a go, I would try the BDR-206. I must say that it certainly has solved my DVD video burning problems but as others have said it just disappears now and then. I am going to stick with it for now and just see what pans out.

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Answer 11

rpjallan

Level 1

0 points

Feb 7, 2011 6:26 PM in response to rpjallan

This thing seems to have settled down now and has been working perfectly the last few days. No problems at all...

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Answer 12

Feb 7, 2011 7:15 PM in response to rpjallan

Same here. Not sure why its working fine now, or why it wasn't before, but I've noticed that MakeMKV has a strange effect on drives. Also, leaving a disk in the drive for extended periods (ie overnight) will sometimes cause an issue.

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Answer 13

Feb 8, 2011 9:32 AM in response to Rob Reuland

Turning off disk sleep has "fixed" the problem of it disappearing. I have found an "04" software update on the Japan site - but the usa pioneer site says there is no firmware update..... not sure I want to take a chance with it.

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Answer 14

Feb 8, 2011 9:59 AM in response to michael gardner

People (me included) have experienced this issue without disk sleep enabled, so I don't think that's the issue.

I wouldn't update the firmware -- I updated the firmware on a 203 (the 206's predecessor) and it bricked the drive. Wait until the US site issues firmware.

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Answer 15

Feb 15, 2011 10:26 AM in response to Rob Reuland

The BR drive disappeared again . . . normal restart did not help. On restart I got the "cross out" then it restarted normally, but no drive. Reset the SMC and the drive appeared again and the startup was normal with the Apple icon and not the cross-out.

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