Dying superdrive?

The superdrive in my 800mhz G4 iMac seems to be dying. When I try to rip CDs, they need to be absolutely spotless to rip. Otherwise it sounds like something is hitting the computer from the inside over and over. Then I get the spinning beachball and usually I have to do a hard reset. Actually, this happens not only with ripping CDs but with using normal CD-ROMs. They need to be absolutely spotless to have a chance of working without massive slowdown and weird hitting noises as stated above.
I just tried ripping a BRAND NEW never played CD and it wouldn't rip the last track. So maybe it won't even rip spotless CD's anymore.
Does this mean I need to buy a new superdrive? Is this indicative of a greater problem? Are there solutions without having to buy a new drive? Thanks.

I had this problem back in mac of last year. The problem was a dirty lense I did take my system apart cleaned the film of the lense put the system back together no more problems

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Superdrive issues

Hello,
I've had a look around on the forums and I'm unable to find anything that seems to exactly match my problem.
First of all, I have a mid-2010 Macbook Pro, which is running Mountain Lion. It hasn't really had any problems at all before but then suddenly last night, I attempted to use a DVD and it didn't work. I tried this with several DVDs/CDs, restarting the computer a few times but no jon
What actually happens is on inserting the disc, it attempts to spin up and then begins to make a grinding noise (computer is pretty much perfectly silent otherwise!). It does this several times before simply ejecting the disc.
I cannot think of anything that could have caused this. I wondered if anyone had had a similar problem and if so, how it was resolved (I will remain hopeful that there are alternatives to drive replacement!)? Also, does anyone have any other suggestions for things that I could try? I am unable to run the hardware diagnostics!
Many thanks,
Chris

The only thing that I've heard of some folks having success with is using one of those CD/DVD lens cleaning kits. Sometimes using the cleaning disc will solve the problem. Sometimes it won't. You should be able to find one of the kits at any electronics retailer or online through Amazon, etc.
If that fails, you've likely a dying SuperDrive. You can have Apple replace it - quite expensive - or replace it yourself (buying a new drive from a company such as OWC).
With any luck, it will just be a dirty lens...
Clinton

Can´t open some DVD´s in DVD player since I´ve got Lion-there was never such problem under snow Leopard

Can´t play some DVD´s in Apples DVD player, that run well onmy machine(s) before i`ve installed lion. Even if I say in system Preference "when inserting DVD-start DVD player, it starts, but can´t even select the DVD´s. They appear in finder, I can playém e.g. with VLC, but DVD player says "no DVD available"
( My OS is upgraded to 10.7.1)
Can anyone fix it?

In my special case, it seems to be a slowly dying superdrive. Yesterday I´ve got a brand new DVD,which was not readable in my Imac. After some retries the drive simply ejected the disk.
`Cause I do not own a DVD-Player I went to a neighbour, where the dvd played fine. Now I realised after som tries, that my mac does not recognize any of my double density dvd´s. Single density works.
I think I will return my mac to the shop to get a new drive.

Dvd drive not working after upgrade to osx10.9

Since my Macbook upgraded to 10.9 the DVD drive no longer works.
Putting in either a pre-recorded disc or a blank to burn results in the disc being ejected after spinning for a few seconds.
The SD card reader also stopped working but I was able to correct that problem.

Same problem here on a mid-2010 21.5" iMac. Will read CDs and 1 out of 100 DVDs (1 kids' DVD, weird) but generally nothing in DVD format.
I tried all the solves listed (change prefs, reset EMC and both PRAMs, boot from internet disks, even an Endust cleaning CD). Nada. I then set up a Joint Venture call and they diagnosed the drive as faulty after repeating all of the above. They say it's very possible that dying Superdrives can read CDs and even burn disks but not read DVDs. They said it'd be about $150 to replace the drive at a Genius Bar.
Here's where I try to be helpful.
If you're found this thread and you're not under warranty, don't waste ANY time testing it or trying to fix. Certainly don't roll back to previous software versions -- wasting hours of time and eliminating software features you may like or introducing incompatibilities. Just hop on over to Amazon and buy a $30 (not kidding) Amazon Basics external DVD drive. I ordered one w/ my cleaning disk knowing I'd prob need it and prob wouldn't want to pay Apple to fix my 3-year old machine. Works like an absolute charm for me. Faster ripping CDs than the Superdrive, plays DVDs through DVD Player, VLC, or XBMC instantly.
So my advice (ignore it if you like, it's worth what you paid for it) is to ignore any conspiracy theories about whether Apple planned this. IMHO, it doesn't matter for $30. Your time is worth more than $30. Just buy an external and get on with your life. You can even use it with your drive-less Air when you get one, if you don't have one already. How often can you solve a complex computer problem instantly, and be better off in the end, for $30? Just do it. End of advice.
HTH.

SuperDrive Dying? Help, please.

Today and before things like this has happened.
I was reading a backup CD-RW disc and closed the finder window and
tried to eject the disc and the system gave me a message the disc was in use
try quitting apps. and try again..
No apps where running. I had to log out and then I could eject it.
Is this the drive dying?
I just had my AppleCare expire and now this.
So, my questions are:
1.) What type of superdrive will I need to replace it.
2.) will I need to install patchburn for just about any superdrive I find? Because I doubt I can get an exact replacement.
3.) Do drives fail within 4 years?
4. I have an external 5.25" drive enclosure. Maybe I should just remove the drive
and try it in there, or install a new drive in the enclosure for starters.
Please give me your suggestions.
Thanks!
 Cheers,
L+

Sounds more like a system thing and not a sign of the drive going bad. Usually this means some application is still accessing the CD-RW somehow. Might be a hidden application. For example, if the CD-RW had music or other media on it that iTunes accesses, the hidden "iTunes Helper" application might have latched on to it.
As I just mentioned in another post, first thing to do with issues like this is to Open Disk Utility and do a "Repair Disk Permissions" on your hard drive as this will often clear up annoying little things.
Patrick

Superdrive dying...Any suggestions???

Well, the superdrive on my dual 1.25 MDD is dying as it sometimes can't read the disc I put in and sometimes it does...
I'm thinking of replacing it and wanted to get the opinions/suggestions of those who have replaced theirs and what you replaced it with...
I was on OWC and saw the Samsung DVD 22x and the Pioneer-118...
Any thoughts?

Can the Powermac G4 MDD Dual 1.25 handle two of those?
I believe so, there's a plate below the top one, not sure about mounting.
BluRay drives are SATA only, but it is possible to get PATA to SATA adapters...
http://www.satacables.com/html/satato_ideadapter.html

Superdrive Died

The Superdrive in my iMac (Flat Panel, 800 mhz) will not burn CDs or DVDs anymore. It will read disc just fine, though.
Will an external FireWire burner work with iDVD and iTunes?
If not, what drives will work as an internal replacement?
Thanks for your help.
Mark

MarkWelcome to Apple Discussions.
It may be worth trying a cleaning disk to see is a dirty drive is causing your problem. These are reasonably cheap and available from any computer shop.
The drive database at xlr8yourmac.com is the best resource for confirming that a new drive will work with your iMac.
The internal Pioneer DVR-110D is a popular choice.
Some drives (especially under a pre-10.4 OS) require this driver: Patchburn to be installed to use the third party drive.
HTH
mrtotes

Help, I have an imac 11.1 with an optical dvd burner. It has died. What external dvd burner willl work? I tried the apple superdrive but it was not recognized.

I have an imac 11.1 running 10.6.8. The internal optical drive has stopped working. I ordered an apple superdrive and it did not reconize it. What external drive can I hook up?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
The Apple USB SuperDrive is only compatible with Macs without built-in SuperDrive (Mac mini, MacBook Air, the Late 2012 iMac and the MacBook Pro with Retina display). However, you can make it to work on your Mac > http://www.tuaw.com/2012/04/02/use-the-macbook-air-superdrive-with-any-almost-ma c/
Any external optical drive will work with your computer

Superdrive dying?

I have a Dual 1.42 G4 Firewire 800 machine.
When I try to burn CDs and DVDs my superdrive makes some new strange spinning sounds, trys to burn and then quits unable to accomplish the task.
The current device is a Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-105
I have not yet installed Tiger.
Can anyone tell me about buying a new DVD drive and how easy it will be to install and to get it to work with my current software?
Thanx in advance,
rob

You can get a new drive like the Pioneer 110D or the NEC ND-3550A through either ZipZoomFly or NewEgg for around $40. Both are 16x Dual Layer drives. For iApps support you'll need to download and install PatchBurn under Panther.
-Douggo
G4 Dual 867 MDD Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1.25GB RAM; 3 HDD's; Pioneer 106D; 20" Cinema Display; 30GB iPod Photo

Imac superdrive died external drive substitute

What can I buy and install procedures?

John,
Any external DVD drive will work. However if you want to replace it yourself try ifixit.com for instructions, you don't state anything about which iMac you own or even the version of OS X in your profile so it's a little difficult to help you. To input that information please complete your profile. You can try OWC at www.macsales.com and they may have a drive for you that can be installed internally.

Snowleopard broke my intern Superdrive on MacBook Pro (Original)

Hello,
As by Thomas A Reed sugested (in my first thread, maybe someone can delete the one), i start a new thread, to keep it oversight and clear. Right now, i'm convinced, my case belongs to the 10.6 thread. The main threads about this problems seems to be in the Hardware MacBook Section:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1918925&start=405&tstart=0
But, because they are mixed up with other superdrive problems there. The problem itself seems to need more diversification as you'll see here.
INVENTORY:
• WHATS THE PROBLEM
• CONFIGURATION
• WHAT I'VE CHECKED
• WHY AM I SURE THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY SNOWLEOPARD?
• WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW (What to do, how to react)
WHATS THE PROBLEM:
Last sunday (the 10/4/2009), i installed 10.6 (and right after that the imediately followed software actualisation to 10.6.1). It's the first new system i installed after 10.4.11. (i was and am still happy with 10.4.11, because it is stable). Apple does not say, SL would not work to use it on a system, where another system (like my 10.4.11) is installed. Instead, they say in their manual: "If you'll install it over (what i didn't) an 10.4.10 to 10.5.x, you'll have to read the Firmwareupdate Article" that i read. It was belonging ONLY to MacBook Air's !! and thats why this specific Firmware-Update did not wanted to proceed!!. last week i've found an Apple Store in my country, where i thought i may buy and try the SL. U never know, when u'll need it one day, so i wanted to become some experience with it. So I choosed the third partition, because it was free.
Right after the installation and the software-actualisation, my superdrive began to eject all DVD's and CD's (comercials, as own burned ones) right after inserting and clicking twice. In other words, it does not accept any optical media anymore. I never had any problem with this superdrive under 10.4. But after the SL-Installation, also 10.4.11 does "NOT ACCEPT" any CD's and DVD's anymore!
CONFIGURATION:
It's a Mac Book Pro 17" Intel (Original), 2.16 Ghz Dual Core Duo, 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, 10.4.11 on the first partition & 10.6.1 on a third partition, Localisation: Swiss/German.
I did My intern SAMSUNG HD format as a GUID (as the OS X Installer said it has to be, if I would like to use OS X on a INTEL-Mac) and the partitions were HFS+ journaled.
1. Partition (OS X.4.11): 49,68 GB / 11.11 GB FREE
2. Partiton (Data): 149.68 GB / 7.69 GB FREE
3. Partition (OS X.6.1): 32.97 GB / 27.46 GB FREE
The third partition was free. I used it as a spare place, for temporarly backups or cases, i need more space. Thats why i choosed it to try out 10.6.
In the System Profiler the drive is still availabe. So it's present. It says under: "Hardware/Medium brennen":
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846:
Firmware-Version: FQ3T
Verbindungstyp: ATAPI
Brennen möglich: Ja (Laufwerk von Apple geliefert)
Cache: 2048 KB
DVD lesen: Ja
Beschreibbare CD: -R, -RW
Beschreibbare DVD: -R, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Schreibstrategien: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Medien: Um die verfügbaren Brenngeschwindigkeiten anzuzeigen, legen Sie ein Medium ein und wählen dann „Darstellung“ > „Aktualisieren“.
and under ATA:
ATA-Bus:
MATSHITADVD-R UJ-846:
Modell: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-846
Version: FQ3T
Seriennummer:
Absteckbares Laufwerk: Nein
Protokoll: ATAPI
Einheiten-Nummer: 0
Socket-Typ: Intern
Low-Power-Polling: Ja
Ausschalten: Ja
WHAT I'VE CHECKED:
• i repaired the rights both on 10.4.11 and 10.6.1
• i started fsck (both, in 10.4.11 and 10.6.1)
• i resetted the PR-RAM
• i resetted the OF
• i resetted the System-Management (5-button, as apple suggested)
• i checked the RAM. Result: "BANK 0/DIMM0 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz OK
BANK 1/DIMM1 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz OK"
• i created new users (in both, 10.4.11 and 10.6.1), it still did not work.
• i checked for a hanging Firmwareupdate in the Account/Startup on both systems. (there was nothing)
• i tried an old CD-Cleaning set, but it did not help too.
• i do wether use Bootcamp, nor VM-Ware (as some minors with that problem did)
• i searched for other related Firmwareupdates, but they all only would work on a 10.5.x!
WHY AM I SURE THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY SNOWLEOPARD?
• First you can say its a bad coincidence. But I've seen a lot of coincidences in between. More likely i would have won a Jackpot in Lotto, than that something like that would not happen exactly right after (seconds/minutes) a major Software Update that includes a hidden Firmware-Update or new Hardware-Limits-Specifications for a specific hardware! (as we had it in the past several times). Do U agree?
• This drive worked allways well and was heavely used (reading, burning, watching DVD's, listening to Audio-CD's, everything). There was absolutely no other harm to this Drive and i handled it carefully and it's the same old as the MacBook Pro Intel itself (in other words: new enough, but old enough, that the guarantee ran out). Last I could install SL from the Retail-DVD from the new Apple Shop.
• The drive is still listed in System Profiler, it tries to read, but does not seem to "know" the inserted discs anymore (makes twice a try to read)
• There are hints (from Apple itself on their support-webpages), that 10.6 tried to update a superdrive firmware what caused some problems for others. In my case the FW-Update seems to have proceed successfully, but now the drive don't recognices any CD's and DVD's.
• last but not least under Google you'll find a lot of articles related to that (or a similar problem) right now. Type in "Superdrive Snow Leopard Problem" and you'll see what I mean. And I've found out, that apple is investigating the SUPERDRIVE-Problem with the Snow Leopard at least since the 14.September 2009 now, after the 10.6 came out.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW (What to do, how to react):
1. Waiting for a new FU-Update that corrects the error with the Superdrive?
2. bring my MacBook Pro to a certified Repair place and demand for a new Superdrive for free?
3. bring my MacBook Pro to the AppleStore where I bought 10.6 on sunday and demand a new Superdrive for free (but it's a long way to there)?
4. send my MacBook Pro to Apple Ireland or somewhere in Europe is no option, i need it exactly heavily this week
5. try to install an older Superdrive (from an old, damaged PowerBook G4) on my own?
Until then i "temporarly solved" the problem by buying an extern USB-DVD/CD burner. But I don't want to carry that thing everywhere with my Laptop.
Cheers,
Tazmandevil

I do repairs on a weekly basis, but I do not do warranty work for Apple. I do have an opinion about your drive failure.
As far as I can tell, all of your logic is self-serving and wrong. If a drive quits working after you install Snow Leopard, and won't work with Tiger or Leopard, the drive has failed. Snow Leopard does not change the firmware on the drive, or motherboards. The fact that the drive shows up under Profiler does not mean that the laser optics in the drive itself are still aligned properly or that the motor is spinning the disk at the right speeds. You can try to use a cleaning disk. I've had some luck on occasion.
Booting from a known good disk will prove the issue. Booting happens before an OS has time to run software drivers, and the drive is under control of the motherboard's firmware.
4 Options:
1 - Warranty Replacement - you will need to ship or deliver the laptop for repairs.
2 - Pay for Replacement
3 - Replace the drive yourself, with the proper drive.
4 - Use a cheap external drive until you can take the machine off-line long enough to get the repairs done.
I've seen these drives fail by accidental abuse (machine was dropped and bent the aluminum frame around the slot and warped the drive), over-use (a client decided to make hundreds of copies of disks for friends at a school - too much heat), dirt build-up (cleaning disk can work here), and other unknown failures (some drives quit working and a replacement fixes the problem). Replacement drives are available for around $150 US, and there are YouTube videos that demonstrate how to change the drive.
I had a MBP have an optical drive fail after upgrading from Tiger to Leopard. I used an external drive for a year or so. Fortunately, I purchased the 3 year warranty, and after I got a new iMac I was able to take the Laptop in for repairs by a certified Apple repair station (less than a week turnaround). The new drive boots a Tiger DVD, Leopard DVD, and of course, Snow Leopard.
Hardware like this, that quits working with earlier versions of an OS that the machine is designed to run, are never fixed by a System Update because it's a physical problem with the drive.

New MacBook Air SuperDrive for G4 PowerBook

My G4 PowerBook is still going strong except the original SuperDrive died a few months ago. While watching the MacWorld 2008 Keynote, I see that there is now an External MacBook Air SuperDrive option available for the new MacBook Air for $99. Does anyone know if this external Superdrive will work with the G4 PowerBooks?
Thanks.

Hi, DLaid, and welcome to Apple Discussions. You could replace your internal Superdrive yourself for $50-S75 USD (depending on what drive you chose) and an hour of your time. See the link in my post above. Buying an external optical drive to use with a portable computer would be silly, but if you wanted to do it anyway, there are dozens to choose from besides Apple's. As I explained above, a USB-only drive is totally inappropriate for use with a Tibook, even if it would work. Get a FireWire-capable drive if you buy an external.
Be aware also that when you post in these forums, you aren't talking to Apple; you're just talking to other Mac users like yourself. The people at Apple who need to hear your concerns don't monitor these boards. This is explained in the "Help & Terms of Use" link that appears in the right sidebar of every Discussions page. Your second-paragraph gripes would be more usefully addressed directly to Apple through the appropriate Product Feedback channels:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/

How can I buy an new Superdrive for my mac pro without having to take my computer to a apple store?????

I have a Mac Pro and my optical drive is not working anymore.Thus, I went to the online store to buy another one.
Surprisingly, the only one I found was the macbook air (external) superdive.
I did not buy it online on that day. However, I went to the Apple Retail Store in Sydney to buy another external hard drive and asked to one of the costumer supports in red if the "macbook air" superdrive would work in any mac. The answer: YES!!! So, I got one. When I was paying the products I asked to the other "red mac guy" the same question... Again, the answer was YES!!!
So... Do these costumer support guys have any training. It is written in the box that requires a macbook air... That's why I asked for two different guys!!! Why did they say YES???
Ok! Lets not put the fault on the red guys... So I ask Apple:
Why apple does not make a external superdrive for pros?? Or one that works for all macs!!
or simply
Why can't we buy internal superdrives anymore? Neither the online store or the retail store sell them anymore!!!
How do I solve my problem? I have to waste my time, making an appointment and taking my Mac Pro to a apple store and wait untill all iphone user in the line learn how to send their photos to their facebook??
It is really strange how apple is leaving the pro costumers behind to become a ipad and iphone industry!
Let do not forget that mac only is where it is now becouse of the pros who made it name and did not leave it die.

You know you don't have to buy a replacement dvd drive from apple. For example, take a look at OWC's selection.
You don't say what year your mac pro is so I use a 2008 as an example. On that page click the little picture that shows a 2008 mac pro. That will take you to this page. And there's an example of a Lite-On drive.
In addition, on the right side of that page are links to instructional videos on how to add the drive to your machine. Click, for example, Optical, med (medium) and you will see how straight forward it is to change the optical drive.

Trying to install Windows 7 without Superdrive

It turns out that my superdrive kind of died, so I'm using an external optical drive. I tried to install Windows 7 from the DVD on my iMac 11,1 using Boot Camp, but after it created the partition and restarted my computer, all that I'd see was a black screen and an error: "No Bootable Device -- Insert boot disk and press any key".
I learned that it's almost impossible to install Windows from an external optical drive, so I created a bootable USB drive using an ISO image of my Windows 7 DVD (and only after doing a lot of tricks into the Boot Camp Assistant plist file). Then I did the same than before: Boot Camp Assistant, Install, Restart, black screen and error.
Then I installed reEFIt, so I pressed alt during the start screen and all that. I tried selecting the USB drive from there, but again I got the **** black screen.
Is there anything else I could try? And please, buying a new superdrive is not an option.
Thanks in advance.

You're wrong. I've used the same DVD to install Windows on my iMac in the past, and it worked flawlessly.
Anyway, just to be sure, I downloaded a new ISO (yep, I checked and it was bootable) and tried to create a new bootable USB drive. It didn't fix anything.
I booted from reEFIt and there were several options. I selected bootmgr.efi and all I'd see was a black screen with a reEFIt error: "unsupported while loading bootmgr.efi". If I just select Windows from the USB drive I get again the black screen with the "No Bootable Device -- Insert boot disk and press any key" error.
I don't know where the issue is, to be honest. It looks like Apple messed up with the firmware and there is no easy way to boicot the need of a shi**y superdrive.

Which USB superdrive is compatible with Macbook Pro 2009?

Have an old 2009 Macbook Pro running Mavericks and it seems the Superdrive is slowly dying. I've tried cleaning it. If I were to buy an external USB superdrive, which model is compatible?

Just check the box - as long as it is USB or Firewire (if you have a Firewire port), it should be fine. Note that you will not see its icon in the Finder - only if you insert a DVD or CD will you see that icon (if you've checked your Preferences to show them in Finder).

Dying superdrive?

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