SuperDrive just stopped working

Another tale of woe - since 10.4.4 my Sony SuperDrive has refused to burn DVDs. Now it won't recognise video DVDs or Apple installer DVDs either, so it seems to be getting worse. CD functions are still fine and it can still read my self-burned DVD-Rs. This is weird because I haven't seen this particular combination of failures described before.

Do I need to open the iMac to try cleaning the drive?

iMac 17 1GHz Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1GB RAM

Yours is simlar to my problem, but I don't burn DVDs only cds. I haven't been brave enough to try to burn any since I blew air through the drive. I'm probably going to try this weekend and I'll post to let you know. My guess is that there are three possibilities: the laser lens is dirty and so the energy isn't burning the disc (mine burns the header data but not the rest of the data), the laser is dying and only has enough to burn the header data, or there is a software problem and it doesn't know to burn the remaining data. I'm working in iTunes, so I might just use the regular burn function in OSX to see if that works. Otherwise, it's get a replacement drive and I understand that Otherworld Computing has a Pioneer drive that works and is only about $60.

iMac G4 with SuperDrive Mac OS X (10.3.9)

I can write to DVD-R , CD-R... no prob. I've burned discs in both Finder and Toast (to experiment).
The discs verify and all is well. When I eject...then try and put the DVDs(Data...the ones I burned) in, they cannot be read (my computer fails to see them ) and then after a minute computer spits it out. BUT(here is the strange part)...only the DVD Data Discs...My DVD/CD reader sees CDs AND store bought DVDs!!

AND this behavior(refusing to see DVD Data discs) is new. USED to be able to open data DVDs I burned.)

WHAT IS THIS???

eMac Mac OS X (10.4.6) 2 yrs old

Never had a problem in the 4 years I have had my FlatPanel, suddenly the SuperDrive stops responding as described in this thread. 5-10 seconds of trial and then ejects every CD or DVD given.

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-104:

Model: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-104
Firmware Revision: A227
Serial Number: BEDL228469WL

Same here my imac G4 17" superdrive just stopped working-it just ejects all the discs tried the cleaning disc still the same problem im going to take mine apart tonight

I cant burn dvds, but I can burn cd/cdrw! I have a dw-u10a sony burner, buying a cleaner dvd today… do you think it can be tiger? Update 10.4.7 should be coming soon, maybe it will fix it…

My wife's Ti g4 powerbook 1gh superdrive stopped burning. It would read anything, but not burn a cd or dvd.
I followed the advice of the other poster and it worked! Go library/preferences/ and find .com.apple.dvdplayer.plist

Trash it, and voila.

Hope it works for you!

My problem is somewhat unique, but still the same. I have had my iMac for about 4 years and I had no problem burning or reading discs. Then, just today, the SuperDrive just stopped. It won't spin up when I start up. The drawer opens up and I can put a disc into it, but the drive doesn't make any noise. I ordered a replacement from a company, about $200. Now all I need is instructions to install it. Anybody know where I can get step by step directions, mostly on how to get my iMac apart?

didn't work for me.

Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions.

Cancel that order!

A dual layer 16x DVD±RW Superdrive new costs $40! Here are the instructions to fit the optical drive.

Remember to take anti-static precautions when you're inside your iMac and when you close up the bottom case you must restore the thermal paste. All instructions for this are above.

For $200 I'd expect a Firewire External drive with a software package (i.e. Toast 7 ) - all you need in this case is a barebones drive.

If you don't have OS 10.4 you'll probably need the Patchburn driver (click More Info for the 10.2 and 10.3 versions) to allow your drive to work.

mrtotes
Message was edited by: mrtotes
That drive should work fine as I see you do have 10.4.4.

for the G4 iMac, you can download this: http://www.difference-engine.co.uk/iMac_flatpanel.pdf

G4 iMac 17 inch 1GHz Mac OS X (10.3.9) 1GB RAM

hey
ive had this problem for quite a while,
im able to burn cds but cant burn dvd's
i have the pioneer dvr-106 drive,
now that i installed system 10.4.7, i cant even burn cds nows its compeletly useless

well i put it to you this way, i dnt think richard bought hes apple from sony or pioneer -neither did i, i have a smilar problem as he does. i bought my apple from apple, as far as im concerned its apples problem. apple chose to put a pioneer drive in my imac that doesnt work and do nothing about it. no support or responses from them.

my friend bought a pc older than my imac and has a pioneer dvr-106 drive the same as mine (only oder) and it works fine. my apple has endless problems, its more to do with apples OS than anything.

I just received my iMac yesterday and in the middle of installing office, the install failed. I am now unable to mount CDs, DVDs, or data CDs (including the Apple install disk). I'll call support, but I am not thrilled at the prospect of being without my new iMac considering I switched to a Mac because I have sent my HP back under warranty twice.

Two days ago my superdrive started shredding discs! An as luck would have it applecare expired 6/27... : (
So suggestions on a replacement optical drive are welcomed
jack

17 iMac Mac OS X (10.4.7)