Why is PowerBook G4 disc drive spitting out DVDs?

Question

Level 1

0 points

Why is PowerBook G4 disc drive spitting out DVDs?

Hi everyone. First time in this (or any) forum.

So the drive was working fine then spit out DVD in the middle of a movie. I tried reinserting it and it spit back out. Tried a different disc altogether - same result. I fear it is probably a sign that my aging laptop is really on its last legs. Anyone have any experience with this? Advice? Should I take it to the Apple store? Try to clean it (and how)?

Thanks for any guidance...

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 19, 2013 8:19 PM

Reply

Answer 1

romko23

Level 2

408 points

Jan 19, 2013 8:28 PM in response to lizleu

Sounds like your superdrive might be on its last legs.. On your discs, did you notice any scratches or worn areas of any kind? If not then the laser inside the superdrive might be failing and doesn't recognize what discs they are. You can try to get a CD/DVD cleaner to attempt to clean the laser inside, otherwise it might be time to get a new drive.

Is the superdrv the Matsushita uj-845?

Reply

Answer 2

lizleu Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 19, 2013 8:38 PM in response to romko23

Hi,

Thanks for the reply! There aren't any scratches - I checked that. Forgive my lack of familiarity with all this, but is this what you meant when you asked about the superdrive?

ATA Bus:

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-835E:

Model: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-835E

Revision: GAN7

Serial Number:

Detachable Drive: No

Protocol: ATAPI

Unit Number: 0

Socket Type: Internal

Low Power Polling: Yes

Power Off: No

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-835E:

Model: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-835E

Revision: GAN7

Serial Number:

Detachable Drive: No

Protocol: ATAPI

Unit Number: 0

Socket Type: Internal

Low Power Polling: Yes

Power Off: No

Reply

Answer 3

romko23

Level 2

408 points

Jan 19, 2013 8:58 PM in response to lizleu

Yes.. Ok, so you checked the discs and no scratches or worn marks.. I am thinking at this point the superdrive might be going up.. Before you get another one get a cd/dvd disc cleaner and try that. If that does not work.. then you need a replacement superdrive.

You can find the uj-835E on ebay and also OtherWorldComputing. But, if you want dual layer.. the PowerBook G4 DLSD 1.67 which is what I have is using the uj-856 I think.. Just do a search for PowerBook G4 1.67 dual layer superdrive.. it should be backwards compatible, should you desire to get a replacement.

Hope this all helps.

Romko

Reply