Renton5
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: iMac 5.1 dvd replacement

I have an iMac 5.1 (late 2006) Serial #: QP*******VUX, running the 10.6.8.
Earlier in the year I installed a new hard drive and the operating system.

I'm having trouble burning long dvd's--about an hour's worth.

I'm the second owner. I'm not sure how often the burner had been used

prior to my possession of it. When I've tried to burn a disc, I get the message,

"Not recognizing disc" or "Unable to finish burning"--something like that.

 

Because of its age, I'm thinking that the drive is ready for retirement.
Should I replace the internal drive or get an external unit?

 

Thanks for the help!

DW

 

<Edited by Host>

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), null

Posted on Sep 18, 2015 11:15 AM

Close
Renton5

Q: iMac 5.1 dvd replacement

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Sep 18, 2015 2:57 PM in response to Renton5
    Level 8 (48,913 points)
    Sep 18, 2015 2:57 PM in response to Renton5

    Should I replace the internal drive or get an external unit?

     

    An external unit would probably be better, but much can depend on the quality of the media you are using. Verbatim, Maxell and Taiyo Yuden are generally the most reliable.

     

    Also select a low burn speed: either 2x or 4x.

  • by Renton5,

    Renton5 Renton5 Sep 20, 2015 11:52 AM in response to Klaus1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 20, 2015 11:52 AM in response to Klaus1

    Hello Klaus1!
    Thank you for your response! When you said, "...quality of the media you are using",

    I was using Imitation brand. I'm suspecting that might be a cheap/bad product, so

    I'll get one of the brands you suggested and try that before replacing the unit.

     

    This is the info on my optical drive:
    24x Combo Drive
    Slot-loading 8x Superdrive with a 2.4x Dual Layer burn

    (DVD+R DL/DVD+RW/CD-RW)

     

    I'll be burning iMovie videos and some music cds.

    For the dvd, which kind of disc designation should I be

    looking for?

     

    Also, where do I control the speed of the burn?

     

    As you can tell I'm not too savvy on computers.

     

    Thank you for your help!

     

    Bye,

    DW

    (aka Renton5)

  • by Ziatron,

    Ziatron Ziatron Sep 20, 2015 1:22 PM in response to Renton5
    Level 4 (3,931 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 20, 2015 1:22 PM in response to Renton5

    Taiyo Yuden is the best.  Available at the SuperMediaStore as well as Amazon, (watch out for fake Taiyo Yuden if the price seems too low).

     

    I am in no way affiliated with Taiyo Yuden or any sellers of same, just a customer.

     

    I use the OWC Mercury Pro 16x External Blu-Ray Burner.


    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HW7LQ6G?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_deta ilpage_o00_s00


    Your burning speed is controlled by the program doing the burning.  I use Apple's disk utilities as well as Toast.  Both allow you several choices on burning speed.