MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-868 not working

This worked, despite my deep scepticism Apple had somehow trashed the drivers with an OS update.

Managed to even get it done with a set of flat head, non-magnetic screwdrivers, though this was cavalier and would not advise making your life as difficult as I did!

(MBP 15" Mid 2009, 2.53Ghz, OS X Yosemite 10.10.5)

You may need to have the optical drive replaced. Take it to an Apple store or AASP.

Well, is your problem occuring with DVD movies? DVD Software? CD music? Need more details, I just experienced some problems where my MBP 2011 was telling me that it could not recognize the disk that was inserted. I would select IGNORE. After clicking ignore I would open up VLC player and select File -- Open Disk and the DVD movie would start playing. I went ahead and backed up any data and put the initial install disk in and wiped the entire HDD and reinstalled a fresh copy of MAC OSX and it fixed everything. Before doing the fresh install, I tried all the standard resets PRAM, Etc... none of that worked.

So again, when does the error occur and with what sort of media.

Oh yeah, I also took my MBP 2011 in and the Apple "GENIUSes" told me that I needed to get a replacement for the SUPERDRIVE and they needed to send it away. I've found with prior computers that sending it away wipes your whole system anyway.

"I needed to get a replacement for the SUPERDRIVE and they needed to send it away. I've found with prior computers that sending it away wipes your whole system anyway."

I didn't have that experience. All they did was replace the optical drive. In any case one should always be backed up. No?

This has just happened to me too. I pulled out some CD's to import into iTunes, and the drive has stopped recognizing all discs; DVD, CD, DVD-R/RW.

The last time I used the drive, that I can remember is in December for installing Office.

The disc inserts, which sounds weak compared to previous times when discs were inserted, and it spins, again, sounding rather weak, and then after 30-60 seconds, the disc ejects. This happens with all discs, even ones that work when tested on my wife's MBP.

Same thing on my macBookPro. This happened on the last macBookPro I had, and despite replacements from Apple it never worked properly. I have given up using the optical drive. I am also under the impression that it is a software problem rather than a mechanical failure.....who knows.....😟

This has just happened to me too - is there any confirmation this is from a software update?

this happened to me and a few months ago I fixed it but now I need to again and I can't find the fix. It has to do resetting timing or something - holding down keys while restarting... but like I say, where did the answer go? apparently it was not a permanent fix but it worked for a month or two.

A fix was found - replace the superdrive. The genius' said it was probably some other program (geektool or nocturne) causing it - which it definitely wasnt. So, long story short, buy applecare.

Simply Fix advice...

My machine is like yours. It's more recently started sitting there for around five minutes 'chewing' on a disk in the attempt to read it and eventually reporting it as a blank, etc etc.... I just installed the game "Stalker, Call of Pripyat" in my Windows partition and the machine worked fine through the install (which surprised me) although when I tried to run the game it just sat there 'not' reading the disk…. (speed up, slow down, pause etc etc etc eventually spitting out the disk).

Although I wouldn't recommend 'anyone' opening up their Macbook Pro 'Unibody' as there are obviously some costly mistakes to be made, Apple have managed to make their Unibody Macbook Pro's pleasantly easy to work on for people that have a moderate knowledge of the insides of a computer in general. So. During the reading of a thread, like this, where people with the same computers with the same issues with the same optical drives... I decided to flip mine over and see if I could fix it. Here's my experience..

Flipped machine over on to a soft cloth. Took off the battery compartment and removed the battery. Unscrewed the short and long case screws to the panel that remained blocking the whole bottom of the computer's inerds (easy). The optical drive is on your left and is held in by threw screws. One by the logic board and the other two well sunken in by the entrance where you shove your CD/DVD's in to. Carefully peel away the cable that runs to the screen, undo the screws then 'loosen' off the cable restrainer than makes it hard to get the optical drive out. The drive itself is connected by what I think is a SATA cable that is connected to the back of the machine as well as a surface mount connector that can simply be lifted gently from the logic board (your machine, your problem if you get it wrong).

Lift the optical drive out and turn over. Unscrew the ally panel's tiny little screws (if you don't have a tiny magnetic screw driver by now, then you should stop and go and get one as you'll need it and a steady hand to put it back together) and you'll currently be looking at the whole optical drive mechanism.

STOP. This is what I did and may not be the most effective way to deal with it but in the basis I have a history with Electro-Mechanical repair i've done the most basic cleaning routine. If you're RICH then simply take your machine to an Apple Store and pay the money for a new drive or a warranted cleaning. Otherwise read on.

I dragged the lint free cloth, that I used for my camera lenses, from my camera bag and lightly dusted the drives optical lens. This this is very delicate so you have to be really gentle. I didn't rub it or push it, I dusted it gently as it's a very delicate sprung system that doesn't want to be beaten up.. Treat it like your washing a fly… !

Reverse order with the screws and stuff and the computer read my disks first time. I've thrown every disk I had an issue with at it and have burnt two audio CD's with the machine with NO ISSUES.

So. If you're currently bashing Apple for installing a crap drive in to our expensive Macbook Pro's then it might simply be the fact that it's a short coming of the slot drive system from a dust point of view. I seriously don't know but if you have some courage and a machine that's out of warranty then this post might get you back on the road, as it has with me.. So remember. Good tools and don't rush. If you can afford it and don't know what the **** you're doing, then take it to an Apple store and pay the premium to get it sorted.. with a warranty..

All the best from the Uk..

Rimmer

Hi folks,

just did exactly what "Rimmer2000" described and cleaned the optical drive.

And, what should I tell you: it works again!!!

Every type of discs is eagerly eaten, read, played and burnt!!! Amazing! I´m delighted!!!

Many thanks to "Rimmer2000" for posting his experience and the exact description of "How-To-Do-It" !!!

Obviously the MatSHITa DVD-R optical drive has a certain problem keeping the dust out of it!

So if you have a certain knowledge of technical repairs and a quiet hand: try it and save your money instead of spending it for an expensive exchange of a "dusted" drive.

Best wishes & greetz from GER,

MacILLRoy

(_(__)_)

~∞~

(..)

I suspect doing what we did will work for most people in that case. There's a chance it could simply be a stubborn bit of fluff or even a tiny part of hair that wont shift without a simple dusting.

I've opened up a number of laptops in my time and the Unibody is very very simple to work on. I was very impressed with the way that it's been put together.

That's two Macbook Pros back on the road. I'm really glad it worked for you..! 😉

Regards. Rimmer

Thank you Rimmer, It works also for my late 2008 MacBook Pro.

Ciao,

A.