Older MacPro Tower - Optical Drive needs to be replaced

I have an older MacPro Tower (OS X 10.7.5) and my original optical drive needs to be replaced. I need to read and write CDs and DVDs. I also occasionally need to read and write DVD+R DL (dual layer) media.
Could I use a unit like the Pioneer BDR-209 DBK? Will it work reliably with CD and DVD media? The reason I ask is that as BDR media drops in price, I would like to start using this (due to the higher capacity) for backing up data.
I'm hoping to be able to confirm this unit will work before purchasing it. If there is a better alternative, please let me know. If there is a reason to stay with a traditional CD/DVD writer, then please tell me and recommend a good unit that is reasonable and reliable.
Thank you.

here's my 2 cents on this: there should be 2 sata ports on your logic boards. However, getting to them is a pain in the rear. If you want to try that way, by all means do so. However, you can get a Sata to Pata bridge board which attaches to the rear of the Sata drive and lets it be used without having to try to find the sata connectors. That way you can use more modern drives. I bought something from MCE and it worked just fine (it's a blu-ray, btw). Installation was a snap. My original CD/DVD drive failed and I didn't want to mess around trying to find a replacement ATAPI (or PATA) drive. The only real caveats I have to tell you are: If you want to play and view Blu-Ray discs in your MacPro tower, you'll have to buy a 2nd party blu ray player. Same with burning Blu-ray discs. You'll have to buy some kind of upgrade to Toast if that's what you used to burn stuff before. however, if all you want to do is burn standard CD's and DVD's then it'll work just fine. the pioneer may have issues with sleeping, but I can't confirm this for sure either way
just my opinion on this.
John b

Similar Messages

Optical photoconductor needs to be replaced

Since installing Lion my printer utility continues to indicate "optial photoconductor needs to be replaced."
I have installed the latest Xerox printer driver for 10.7, but the message remains.
Xerox support says this is an issue with the CUPS printing configuration and Apple is aware of it.
Anyone else experiencing this? Any fixes?

Also have the same problem Lexmark 543dn
"The optical photoconductor needs to be replaced'
Device Information
Asset Tag
=
Page Count
= 8058
Installed Memory
= 128 MB
Processor Speed
= 500MHZ
TLI
= 3001385
Machine Type
= 7525-131
Engine ID
= 21
AA
= 01f7
CalSet
C
= 2.1000 1.0000
0.2068 7.0519
M
= 2.3000 1.0000
0.1750 6.5871
Y
= 2.3000 1.0000
0.0000 0.0000
K
= 6.5000 1.0000
0.0000 0.0000
Scanner Version
= AFL.EL.S104
Loader
= LL.EL.P424-0
Kernel
= FPR.APS.F254-0
Base
= LL.EL.P424-0
Network
= NR.APS.N434-0
Network Drvr
= LL.EL.P424-0
Engine
= LU.AS.E308B-0
Font
= 8.31M02-U5.0
Printhead
= LSU.AS.H017.17

My hard drive needed to be replaced for my iMac. When I move the photos from my portable hard drive back into iPhoto, the pictures show up small and I can't adjust them. How do I fix the pictures so they are full size again?

My hard drive needed to be replaced on my iMac. When I try to move the photos from my portable hard drive back onto the Mac, they are small and can't be edited or made any larger. How can I fix them?

YOu restore your phone from your icloud backup.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766

Acrobat Pro 9 for mac won't launch, reloaded from disk when hard drive needed to be replace. It's in applications folder but there is an X on the Acrobat Reinstall icon. What should I do.

Acrobat Pro 9 for mac won't launch, reloaded from disk when hard drive needed to be replace. It's in applications folder but there is an X on the Acrobat Reinstall icon. What should I do.

Hi Janice,
What version of Mac OS are you using?
Adobe does not recommend migrating the software from one disk to the other.
Please run the setup file for Acrobat and reinstall the software. You might want to delete the existing version of Acrobat installed before reinstalling it.
Regards,
Rave

Optical drive needs to be 'woken' up

Just had my logic board replaced a couple of weeks ago. Not sure if that's related to my current problem or not.
Basically, my optical drive works fine right after startup or right after coming out of sleep. Those are both occasions when you can hear the optical drive make that 'check to see if anything's in there' sound.
If my computer sits around for ten minutes or so, then the optical drive sort of goes offline. If I put a disc in, it doesn't get sucked in. I can make it work by opening disk utility, system profiler (and then highlighting for disc burning details) or by hitting the eject button. Any of those actions causes the drive to make that 'check to see if anything's in there' sound and then will pull in the disc that's sitting part of the way in.
Everything seems to work fine after that, unless the computer sits around for a while without using or communicating with the optical drive.
I did reset the SMC and that did not fix the problem, unfortunately. It's the same when logged in as a different user and when booted from an external disc as well.
Is there anything else I can try? Having just been without my computer for a couple of days, I'd hate to send it in again. Guess I was hoping there's something else I could do to fix the issue.
Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I ended up getting my logic board replaced again and that fixed the problem. Apparently the first logic board they put in was defective.

Corrupt hard drive needs to be replaced?

I WAS TOLD BY BEST BUY GEEK SQUAD WHEN I TOOK MY LAPTOP TO THEM A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT MY HARD DRIVE IS CORRUPTED AND I NEED TO REPLACED IT. IS IT TRUE THAT I HAVE TO REPLACED MY HARD DRIVE AND THEN USE MY RECOVERY DISC WHICH I DON'T HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM?

Hi:
It depends on what the hard drive diagnostics test reported, as to whether or not it needs to be replaced, or if only the operating system needs to be restored.
You can probably order recovery disks from HP for your notebook, but without knowing the full model number of it, I would not be able to provide any further details.
If you do not know the full model number of your notebook, then please read the guide at the link below for how to find out that info.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00033108&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en

How to know if your hard drive needs to be replaced?

My Compaq CQ56 laptop will not turn on properly, and I have found through some research that it may be a hard drive. I have run all of the tests in BIOS and it came back as good, but I'm not sure that it is.
The computer will turn on sometimes, but not all the time. When I hit the power button, the power light comes on along with the WiFi light, which glows red. Sometimes the caps lock light comes on as well. The fan will run and the hard drive can usually, but not always be heard. The display stays black. I have already tried to connect it to an external monitor without success.
The memory modules also came back as good through BIOS tests and physical tests that were suggested by an HP support article.
If it is not a hard drive, what could it be?

Just jumping in as , is unavailable. As I understand it, your situation improved until you had those System updates go through. At this point, I would suggest you start with a hard reset, and see if the system starts properly.HP Notebook PCs - Computer Does not Start (Windows 7, Vista, XP) If after the reset it is working then you should be good; if there is a new error state, such as flash codes or beep patterns let me know. If it starts up, but you are experiencing other performance issues, you can always try a System restore to a point before those updates went through. You just need to select a restore point before the date that the update occurred, and then test again. Using Microsoft System Restore (Windows 7)
Let me know if this helps at all.

Clicking sound on optical drive

I tried burning cd or dvd on my macbook, and i keep hearing a clicking sound ,and gives me an error, so it ejects the cd or dvd, so that means my optical drive needs to be replaced?

My superdrive recently gave me problems. It would take in the disc and then try and read it but would make a unusually loud clicking noise and after 15-20 seconds would stop and then try and read it again. I bought a new superdrive online and fitted it myself and now have the latest version superdrive which takes all discs and dual layer discs (my original superdrive did not support dual layer discs).
My drive had seen a lot of use over the past year and a half and I wasn't shocked that it died.
If its in warranty give Apple a call or have it replaced (although they are expensive) if you cant afford to buy a new internal superdrive then buy an external dvd writer for about half the price.
Dib.

Can I use optical drive on 2011 iMac to download to a 2012 IMac

Hello
I have a 2011 IMac and thinking about purchasing a 2012 iMac. I need an optical drive with the 2nd computer. Can I hook them together and use the internal,optical drive from the 2011 unit to down load to,the new unit.
Thank you.
John

It would mean having to either use one of the iMacs in target disk mode to access the drive from the newer iMac by restarting both computers in target disk mode.
It's easier to just buy an external optical drive for the new iMac.
If you need to share info between both iMacs, you could also purchase an external hard drive to share between both Macs and use OS X file sharing features to share files from the HD between the two iMacs.
Or even setup a Ethernet connection between the two iMac as a network to be able to share data between the two iMacs, also.
Once you have downloaded data from the older iMac's optical drive, you can easily transfer it to your new iMac.
Do a search for networking and file sharing between two Macs.

MBP Optical Drive, clicking and spinning wildly

I just received my new MBP yesterday and discovered a problem with the optical drive. When I insert a CD the drive makes a series of loud clicking noises, presumably as it tries to mount the media on the spindle, and then starts spinning up and out of control, sounding much like an airplane. Some data can be read and then it fails.
I tested with another CD, same problem. I then tested with a DVD, and it actually did fire up and play, and didn't quite sound like an airplane, however there was still a very noticeable hum which is loud enough to still be deemed unacceptable.
After trolling the forums here, it sounds as though other individuals are indeed having the same problem. I have tried various suggested resolutions from other posts with no luck. Unfortunately there is no genius bar close to me, so I am probably going to be stuck sending it back which is just a major disappointment since I was counting the minutes till my MBP arrived.
Update: For what it's worth... in both cases, the discs do not appear to be getting damaged.

I had a macbook that the optical drive needed to replaced for similar reasons. I would strongly recommend you visit the apple store and/or go apple support and ask them to replace your optical drive. Its a pretty quick install for them.
Please remember to mark helpful/solved replies appropriately.

What is the best product to clean the optical drive?

My optical drive needs cleaning. What would be the best product to use on a mac?

it's not or silver metal it is aluminum. Follow the guidelines by Apple in the MacBook Pro Users Guide.pdf
"Cleaning your MacBook Pro When cleaning the outside of your MacBook Pro and its components, first shut down your MacBook Pro and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer’s exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Do not spray liquid directly on the computer. Do not use aerosol sprays, solvents, or abrasives that might damage the finish.
Cleaning your MacBook Pro screen To clean your MacBook Pro screen, first shut down your MacBook Pro and unplug the power adapter. Then dampen the included cleaning cloth with just water and wipe the screen. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen."

Suggest an external optical drive?

My iMac's (21.5 inch) optical drive is just about useless, especially when it comes to transferring files from discs onto my computer, taking as long as 30 minutes for 4gb of information. My girlfriend's iMac (24 inch) optical drive is completely broken and can not read, write, or recognize discs, and once one is put in it usually takes an act of congress to get it out.
Both of us are looking for a good, yet affordable external optical drive. I have been browsing stuff online at Best Buy but noticed all of them only list "windows" in the specification box. Are they still compatible with Mac?
Are there any "good" ones anyone can suggest that I can actually buy in person at a store such as Best Buy or Walmart? I have noticed a lot of people suggesting LaCie but I would really prefer to buy in person than over the internet.

I've never used an external optical drive, but a person I know who wore out the internal optical drive in his iMac replaced it with a LaCie. This person puts in lots of hours burning disks and he's very satisfied with the LaCie.
An Apple Store may carry them but I don't know for sure. I know some Apple Stores carry LaCie peripheral hard drives.
Regards,
Steve M.

Do I need to buy a new optical drive?

Wouah, really strange things happening.
A couple of weeks ago, I had to burn something like a hundred DVDs, but couldn't complete coz my drive (a Pionneer 111D) was refusing to burn 2 in every four DVD. Thought the problem was from the media itself. Left it there...
Then came Snow Leopard, installed it, all went fine, exept my drive is not detecting some DVD that I know are good, it tells me the media is blank, though it's not.
Thought it may be because of the new system, so I did a firmware update, now my drive is a pionneer 111L, but it still doesn't detect those DVD; so i thought, if it's a problem with the system, i am going to install Leopard, but the drive didn't even recognize the install DVD, so I had to install Tiger, which I did, and guess what the drive doesn't recognize those medias.
So my question, to be short, do I need to buy a new drive, and if yes what the best option. I have a MAC PRO early 2006 first gen.
Thanks for any kind of advice, maybe if I can get it back to normal.

Your MacPro should have two optical drive bays in it---Drives are cheap (mine £25)--Installation simple. I say buy a second, my second was as below. If your OEM works, or you buy two new drives, it makes copying disks easy. There are some instruction on OD insertion on the net but just look at your Mac Pro manual re the drive bays. You stick the second drive onto the little branch of the ribbon cable.
Search in this forum for (say) 'second optical drive MacPro' but someone will likely remember the installation help page for you. My second drive:-
PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-116D:
Firmware Revision: 1.06
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Generic Drive Support)
Profile Path: None
Cache: 2000 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: To show the available burn speeds, insert a disc and choose View > Refresh'

HT4718 optical drive doesn't work, hd is earesed and i need to install os x on my macbook pro

Hi there,
my questions are:
1.optical drive doesn't work, hd is earesed and i need to install os x on my macbook pro.
how to do it on internet?
2.already tried connected via lan cable, but folder with question mark appeared.What could be problem(DHCP was enabled)
3.Is it possible to do it in target disk mode through my even older powerbook G4
4. Is it possible to do it with flash memory , and how to download the stuff on?
thanks in advance
Allterro

If your Macbook Pro (MBP) came preinstalled with OS X Lion (10.7), you can use Internet Recovery to reinstall it.
You will need an Internet connection.
Restart your Mac using Command+Option+R until you see a spinning globe. This will boot into Apple's server and load their Recovery HD.
From the OS X Utilities menu, select Reinstall OS X. You should see a Lion logo to the left of this option.
If your MBP came preinstalled with OS X Snow Leopard you will need the DVD and an external CD/DVD drive to use to install it.
You may also be able to put your MBP into Target Mode with another Mac running a version of OS X that is compatible with your MBP. From that other Mac download OS X from the App Store and point to your MBP (Target Mode) to install to. I've never tried this but it sounds like it might work.

Internal drives from my older Macpro keeping my new 8 core from booting

I am upgrading from an older dual core Macpro to a new 8 core and found that if I install any of the internal drives from my older Macpro in the new 8 core the computer won't boot. The drives just have data on them no applications of operating software. The older boot drive won't let the 8 core boot either if its installed.
Anyone know if this is to be expected and if so why? I will have to copy 3 - 1 TB drives if they can't be directly used in the new computer.
Thanks

I've seen a severe corrupt directory cause Macs to refuse to boot from any drive, even from CD/DVDs making it hard to repair and requiring a USB/FW case to repair/format or recovery files.
During startup the system has to scan for valid boot drives even though startup disk tells it where to try to boot from.
Also yours by default boots in 64-bit mode.
Once you have the files you need copied over, why not just reformat and clone your current system.

Older MacPro Tower - Optical Drive needs to be replaced

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for