In my Mac pro, both optical drives have failed at the same time. (superdrive)
They eject any disk inserted and do not report the serial number in disk utility, nor do they appear in Finder
i don't think its the lasers, but suspect the drivers or firmware.
any suggestions gratefully received!
Mac Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11), 5 Tera bites HD; 18 Gb memory
- Try resetting the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
- Check the power and data connections
- Insert an OSX install DVD and boot using the Option key and see if you are offered the install disk to boot from. This will rule out drivers
- Try resetting the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
- Check the power and data connections
- Insert an OSX install DVD and boot using the Option key and see if you are offered the install disk to boot from. This will rule out drivers
Hi,
Thanks for that.
I have reset SMC and NVRAM to no avail, and my install disc got lost as I moved. I shall, of course try to obtain one so that I can try your boot suggestion.
neil
Hi again,
Having located a boot disc, i have tried to boot from it, but the disk ejected itself, so it seems I have no functioning drivers!
Any help in identifying them would be gratefully received, as I don't exactly know my way around the kext world.
thanks in anticipation
neil
lllaass also said to:
- Check the power and data connections
This means power off, remove the side door, and physically pull the Optical drive cage halfway out. Now make certain that all the cables are firmly seated in their sockets. then restore the optical drive cage to its normal position, button it all up and try again.
hi Grant,
I have now reseated each end of the optical drive cables no avail.
Can you help me to identify the driver files for the optical drives, please as several kext files are not loaded according to system information, so it may be that permissions or certificates have gone missing or are out of date. Im clutching at straws here!
I doubt a driver issue for reading CD/DVD since you can read from those without an OS even installed.
What kexts are not installed? It is not unusual for some to not be installed.
Hi,
Yes, Ive been looking carefully at the system info, and I'm starting to understand how it works. It probably isn't drivers, if, as you say they can work independently of the OS.
The System info reads model number, firmware revision(1.NC), and protocol (ATAPI), but not the serial number of the unit(s).
I wondered if a firmware update may be in order? If so how to achieve it?
If I still lived in the UK, I would have lugged the computer to a MAC store by now for help, but living in Cyprus, life is a little more constrained! Its a PC world here, and I am more than a bit baffled.
This lists the current version of the EFIs. There was an update for the 2008 MP.
About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers - Apple Support
Have you tried a cleaning disc?
They are music CDs with tiny brushes attached. You use the CD player or iTunes to play the CD, then skip a track and the brushes wipe the read lens clean.
Hi Grant,
yes I have; it was ejected almost at once, so I used it a few times in the hope that the laser would maybe travel to the correct part of the disc.
the result was disappointing. No change !
i have now dismantled the drives and manually cleaned the lasers (very, very carefully!) again no change. i'm starting to suspect a faulty cable, as neither machine is reporting its S/N or reading any disc inserted. it's a pretty daunting task to replace the ATA cable because it's somewhat buried and undergoes several twists and turns, but it's the obvious next step, so hey ho!
any helpful comments?
Do you have any cable/adopter to test the drives via a USB connection?
HI,
thanks for your patience!
no I don't have such a thing here, but I have found that there's a man in Paphos who claims to repair macs, so I can only hope he can help, especially armed with the list of things it isn't! He may well have a caddy or cable adapter which will help to clarify the situation at least.
I Have discovered that it is possible that both drives have failed at the same time!
how very embarrassing!
Mac Pro (early 2008) Optical drives not functioning
