Level 1

35 points

SuperDrive just stopped working

All of the sudden my superdrive won't recognize any disks. It tries to spin up for a few seconds, then ejects the disks. It had worked great up until today. Any ideas on how to troubleshoot? Thanks.

iMac 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Jan 22, 2006 10:35 AM

117 replies

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jul 6, 2006 8:22 PM in response to Jack Cornell1

Hello and Welcome back to Discussions!

Please see this recent post.

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jul 6, 2006 8:20 PM in response to studio34

Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions, sorry to hear of your woes.

Unfortunately you've posted in the iMac G4 "Flat Panel" forum, whilst I don't want to make you feel unwelcome...

G4: Intel:

You will be better to post in the iMac Early 2006 forum

- the users there will share more common experiences with yourself and be able to better advise on this specific hardware issue.

kind regards

mrtotes

amina

Level 1

0 points

Jul 9, 2006 11:12 AM in response to Doug Holm

Hi.
I am also having problems on my drives on both my computers.
My powermac g4 has the Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-103.
I cleaned, tried language and new user account. It is still not reading.
It does not appear in System Profiler.
Not so up on Computer technology, but perhaps someone who is should check out the pioneer firmware site. It seems to have answers...?

Would love to know if this helps.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/service/support/article/0,,2076424947230,00.html

The fact that its not in the system profiler, makes it seem as though this is a very simple problem of allowing the computer to see the drive..no?

Thanks.

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jul 11, 2006 3:38 AM in response to amina

Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions.

Have you run the Apple Hardware Test that came with your PMG4?

I suspect that as your drive doesn't appear in System Profiler it has died completly. Given how easy it is to change a drive on an PMG4 I'd be tempted just to buy a new drive. Your current drive is only 2x on DVD-R, 8x on CD-R, 4x on CD-RW and 1x on DVD-RW and can't use Dual Layer or DVD+R/RW disks.

At just $34 this drive is approximately 8 times faster at burning all types of disk. Under OS X Tiger will work with no additonal drivers. Under Panther you'll need the Patchburn driver.

If you want an answer on anything more specific you'll be far better to post in the PowerMac G4 Forum and start a new post.

mrtotes

nihill

Level 1

0 points

Jul 14, 2006 7:35 PM in response to Doug Holm

i write from italy and I have from 2 month the same problem. I have a imac g4 20" with a super drive SONY DVD RW DW-U10A. one day he read a lot of cds and dvd and the they after it read only 2 o 3 cds and dvd..... i buy the g4 in 2004..... i want to sell my g4 but i can not sell it with the super drive "crazy"....

i think is an APPLE problem because this problems happaned with pioneer super drives and olso with sony super drives..... it is a strange thing or not??
(sorry for my english!!)

Jul 15, 2006 9:25 AM in response to Doug Holm

Another one to add to the list i am afraid, recently my PPC Imac G5 2 Ghz superdrive has decieded to give up loading burnt or blank DVDs (CDs work fine).

Strangly though i don't have a Pionier or Sony Superdrive, I have a MATSHITA DVD–R UJ–845.

If theres been a fix to this problem it would be great as i really dont want to be buying a new Superdrive.

I have tried rebooting the Pram and NVram without any luck. Aswell as re installing mac OS X 4 without any progress and also then re installing mac OS 4.7 which i am now back to without any progress... :o((

Cheers in advance...Chris

Jul 15, 2006 10:24 AM in response to Doug Holm

Hello all,

Does this help any?

Read this

I hope so!

Cheers

Ian

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jul 15, 2006 10:46 AM in response to Metroguy78

Chris,

Welcome to Apple Discussions.

For future reference you've posted in the iMac G4 "Flat Panel" forum - whilst I do not wish to be unhelpful you will be better to post in the iMac G5 forum as the users there will be much more familiar with iMac G5 issues.

G4: G5:

As the iMac G5 features the laptop type optical drive (Matushita UJ-8xx) rather than the Pioneer or Sony Desktop tray drives in iMac G4s it's likely your issue is different.

kind regards

mrtotes

Jul 15, 2006 10:47 AM in response to Ian Bickerstaffe

Hi Ian,

thanks for your input, I am afraid in my case anyhow I am not using a pioner so that update isnt applicable.

Thanks again ... frustrated mac guy :o(

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Jul 15, 2006 10:50 AM in response to Metroguy78

I think Ian's post is aimed at the wider iMac G4 audience. You'll also find UJ-8xx drive users in the Mac Mini, MacBook, MacBook Pro and Powerbook forums so it may be worth searching for tips there too.

mrtotes

Adis

Level 1

5 points

Jul 22, 2006 10:28 AM in response to Doug Holm

iMac 1GHz G4
Using Mac OSX 10.4.7
Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-105

Just stopped working one day. If i put in a dvd it makes loud squeaky sounds and after a few minutes ejects the disc. What the hecks goin on? Any solutions?

iMac 1 GHz G4 Mac OS X (10.4)

Jul 26, 2006 8:56 AM in response to Adis

the only solution i got was a new like for like superdrive.. im not confident it will last too much longer but i had little choice

newco26

Level 1

0 points

Jul 26, 2006 7:38 PM in response to Metroguy78

Some have talked about cleaning the optical lens... I know this may sound stupid, but where exactly is the optical lens??? I thought I'd at least give that a try. My mac G4 disk drive is also ejecting discs and not recognizing them.

Adis

Level 1

5 points

Jul 27, 2006 4:13 AM in response to newco26

Anyone have instructions on how to open the base and try to realign the drive?

Jul 31, 2006 12:06 AM in response to Doug Holm

Superdrive not acting super!
Doesn't work at all, can't read cd's, dvd's, keeps spitting out blanks when trying to burn. Is apple going to replace these for free?

iMac G4 17" flat panel Mac OS X (10.3.9) PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-105

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SuperDrive just stopped working