Can't burn a DVD

Question

Level 2

325 points

Can't burn a DVD

I am trying to burn about 2.7GB of photos from my PowerMac G5 to a DVD but consistently get an error message "Sorry the operation could not be completed because an unexpected error occurred (Error Code 0x8002006D)."

WHen I check the Console's Disk Recording Log I find this:
Finder: Burning to DVD-R media with DAO strategy in SONY DVD RW DW-U10A A43h via ATAPI.
Finder: Requested burn speed was 4x, actual burn speed is 4x.
Finder: Burn underrun protection is supported, and enabled.
Finder: Write (10), block: 2240, count: 64 -> 3/73/03 Medium Error, Power calibration area error
Finder: Burn failed, Sat Aug 19 14:56:25 2006
Finder: Burn sense: 3/73/03 Medium Error, Power calibration area error
Finder: Burn error: 0x8002006D The device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

The optical drive has burned DVD's before and should be able to handle most possibilities:
Firmware Revision: A43h
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 8192 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +RW
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: No

I am using a new batch of Memorex DVD-R disks which are listed as 16X.

Anyone have any suggestions? I do not understand the mesage in the console log.
Thanks, Rich

G5 Dual 2.0, etc., Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Aug 19, 2006 3:07 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 19, 2006 4:16 PM in response to Rshrieve

The error message means it couldn't get the right laser power to work with that disk. It could be a bad drive or a bad disk. 16X disks and Memorex disks often cause problems. Try a Verbatim 8X disk.

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Answer 2

Dr. Smoke

Level 9

56,586 points

Aug 20, 2006 3:25 AM in response to Rshrieve

Hi, Rshrieve.

There are three primary causes for Error Code 0x8002006D.

1. Dirty lens in your optical drive. The error code means that the burner was unable to perform the power-calibration test for its laser with the media. The test is described in "About optical disc drive burning and write speeds." A dirty lens is the most common cause of this error. Buy a dry CD/DVD lens cleaner at a good electronics or computer store and use it to attempt to clean the lens.

2. Incompatible media. Many new optical disc formats employ dyes for high-speed burning that may not work with older optical drives. The power calibration test fails, not because of a problem with the lens, but because of an issue with the dyes in the optical media. Try a different brand of media.

3. Optical drive failing. Your CD/DVD burner is simply worn out or damaged and needs to be replaced. If your Mac is still under warranty, you may wish to contact AppleCare. If there is an Apple Retail Store in your area, I'd recommend taking it there. You may wish to call ahead to make an appointment at the Genius Bar.

Note that some of the information above is from the "Burning CDs and DVDs" chapter of my book, Troubleshooting Mac® OS X, Tiger Edition.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

---
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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Answer 3

Rshrieve Author

Level 2

325 points

Aug 20, 2006 1:40 PM in response to Dr. Smoke

Thanks for the ideas.

Here are two more pieces of information:

1. My optical drive will successfully burn a CD --but not a DVD. Does this mean that the lens on the drive is clean and that I can eliminate that as a possible cause of the problem?

2. I was able to successfully burn the same DVD that failed on my G5 on my wife's 17" PowerBook which is older than the G5. Does this eliminate the issue of incompatibility of media since the two optical drives are about the same vintage?

My Applecare Protection Plan for the G5 is still in effect for one more month. I think I will call Apple...

G5 Dual 2.0, etc. Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 4

Dr. Smoke

Level 9

56,586 points

Aug 20, 2006 2:52 PM in response to Rshrieve

1. I believe the calibration levels are different between CD and DVD, so the lens may be "clean enough" for a CD, but "too dirty" for a DVD. The laser itself could be wearing out.

2. Not necessarily, but I'd say it lowers the probability. Anecdotal evidence suggests some optical drives work better with certain brands of media than others. System Profiler — under Hardware > Disc Burning — will tell you who manufactured the optical drive in each Mac.

Given what you have added to your report, if a cleaning disc does not solve the problem, then I'd suspect the optical drive in the G5 has gone bad.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

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Answer 5

Rshrieve Author

Level 2

325 points

Sep 23, 2006 1:18 PM in response to Dr. Smoke

Sorry to be so long in wrapping up this thread! I got distracted...

After MANY hours on the phone with Apple and getting the case kicked up from Bangalore to Texas, Apple sent me five free DVD-R 8X discs to try out.

These 8X discs burned successfully.

The optical drive in this G5 was certified for 4X when it was released. Apple determined that it would not replace the drive since the 8X discs burn OK.

Rich

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