how do i recalibrate my cd/dvd burner?

Question

how do i recalibrate my cd/dvd burner?

I'm having issues getting my macbook's superdrive to burn dvds. It is a mid 2007 13 in black macbook, I've had it since it came out.

Regardless of which program i use, disc utility, toast titanium, finder, etc...the same error pops up: The disc can’t be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

I have also tried running a dry lens cleaner in the drive as well as selecting different burn speeds before starting the burn session. But nothing seems to work.

Is there a way to get my superdrive recalibrated?

MacBook (Black) 2.16 Ghz, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 160GB internal HDD 250GB external HDD, Trackball Mouse

Posted on Jan 12, 2012 10:03 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 12, 2012 10:32 PM in response to FuzzyBlackBook

I do not believe Apple has a method of calibrating the superdrive. see if this thread helps: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1850824?start=0&tstart=0. If not, you should bring it in for service.

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Answer 2

Jan 12, 2012 11:49 PM in response to FuzzyBlackBook

I think you describe an optical unit on its deathbed. Check the following:

1. for reading disks, put inside any type available (CDs, one-layer DVDs, dl DVDs etc.) of various manufacturers

2. take re-writable CDs and DVDs and try to burn.

If some work, some don’t, it means the unit may still work, e.g. may read CDs and DVDs but not dl DVDs, or just sometimes does not that. This means the unit may be used, but sometimes it may fail. The process will probably worsen.

If you cannot use it at all, it is already dead.

You cannot calibrate an optical unit, you can just clean it, if this is the case. In some circumstances, you may resurrect an optical drive if it is just dirty or dusty. If it is the original one in 2007, it seems it got to its limit. Check it step by step, as suggested.

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