Optical Drive won't read 90% of CDs

Hey, I'm having problems with the Toshiba ODD-DVD SD-R1412 optical drive on my eMac 1GHZ where it won't read or burn 90% of CDs or DVDs. The problems started happening after the 10.4.9 update. I've tried a laser lens cleaner and it didn't work. I'd upgrade the burner but it's gonna be a royal pain to have to crack this thing open. Any suggestions to get the drives mounting again? It shows up in Apple System Profiler.

Did you upgrade to 10.4.9 via Software Update or by downloading and running the stand-alone OS X Update Combo 10.4.9 (PPC)? if the former, try the later --- while not as consistiently useful a trick as in 10.2/10.3 days, running the full Combo updater has been known to help with various oddities that crop up after an OS update. Similarly, running Disk utility -> Repair permissions on the hard drive isn't really needed after running Apple updates, but it can't hurt, and if you've ever run a third-party installer that asked for an administrative password, you definitely want to run Repair Permissions.
How old are the blank discs you're trying to burn? How were the blanks stored? Refer to the NIST's Care and Handling of CDs and DVDs (people have reported in the past storing blank CDs on top of a radiator under a window getting direct sunlight; you may want to try a few blank discs from a different spindle (say by trading blank discs with friends or co-workers).

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My optical drive will not read any music cds now or recognize a blank cd in the drive. it might read some data discs. what is wrong with it and how do i fix it?

My optical drive will not read any music cds or recognize a blank cd. it might read some data cds. what is wrong with it and how can i fix it?

The optics might be dirty. Try running a cleaning CD through it and see if that makes a difference.
If not, it will have to be replace.
Allan

Optical drive won't read certain discs?

Hello, this is my first post in the community and I am a novice with computers. I bought my iMac in 2010 at Apple and it has been the best computer I have ever owned. But for some reason starting today the optical drive won't read any type of cd's like a user's manual or software install disc. It tries but just ejects it back out. Now the strange part is I can put any dvd disc to play a movie and plays it perfectly with no problem at all. Has anyone had this happen to them or any thought on what is wrong. My wife has a macbook and hers works fine and I checked her system preferences for cd's/dvd and they are the same. I a running 10.6.8 OS. Thanks

The iMac supports the following CD types if it is one of these types and still won't read then it sounds like a CD hardware or software driver problem. If you re-load the software driver and it still doesn't work then I would then suggest you take it to an Apple store for repair.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=34562

Optical drive won't install programs from CDs

I have a S300-EZ2501. I downgraded my installation from Vista Business to XP Pro.
My drive has stopped installing programs that come on CDs. I did not have this problem while loading all my software onto the laptop. Now, however, when I insert an installation CD into the drive, it attempts to read the CD, but cannot initialize the Autorun file, so nothing happens. I've tried running the install from the Run line, or by browsing to the file, but that does not work either. I also tried deleting the device from my system and reinstalling; that didn't work either.
Are there any registry settings for the optical drive that I can check? I want to make sure that the system is pointing to the correct location.
Thank you.
Barry L. Lippitt

I tried to restore to earlier settings, but that did not help.
If I try to doubleclick on the executable file on the CD, the hard drive light goes on, but not the external drive light.
I'm starting to think this is a WindowsXP problem and not a drive problem. I copied the contents of one of the program CDs to my hard drive, and tried installing from that directory. When I double-click on the Setup.exe file, there is sporadic hard drive flashing light, but nothing happens. The programs install from .exe files and not .msi files, so its not a Windows Installer problem. What other settings can I check that affect running setup programs on the laptop?
As I'm typing this, all of a sudden the executable program screen appeared on the laptop (after about 10 minutes). Maybe it will install, but that's a very long time before it happens.
Nothing more happened (10 more minutes). When I closed the screens fromy my toolbar, I received a popup telling me that I am ending the "nonresponsive program 32-bit Setup Launcher." I think there is a problem with this file; when I tried to install other programs (16-bit, from earlier versions) and had to close them down, I received messages that the 16-bit system was unstable.
Is there a way to repair these files on my laptop? What might have destabilized them?
As a reminder back to the beginning of this thread, my laptop came with Vista Business installed, but I downgraded from the restore CD to WinXP Pro.

IMac G5 Won't Boot and Optical Drive Won't Read Correctly

I have an iMac G5 17" 2.0GHz with a 300GB SATA drive installed about 6 months ago. Everything was fine until it recently ceased booting completely--it gets to the blue screen but the progress bar never even begins and there it sits. The fans come on fast and loud almost right away. The hard drive reads in the System Profiler, but doesn't show up at all in the Disk Utility; Disk Warrior 4 replaced the directory with ease and it appears on the desktop in TDM. It will not under any circumstances boot from a Mac OS X system disk, but will boot from the Disk Warrior and TechTool CDs. As a sidebar, the optical drive is making all sorts of loud unusual noises and reads only as a CD-ROM in the System Profiler (in the Disc Burning Tab nothing appears) even though it is a superdrive. 10.4.9 installed.

If you have AppleCare, suggest that you contact them and/or their Online Chat Support.
Also, see if your computer qualifies for one of the G5 iMac Repair Programs
**WARNING: DUE TO SECURITY REASONS, PLEASE DO NOT POST YOUR COMPUTER'S SERIAL NUMBER ON THESE MESSAGE BOARDS.**

Optical drive won't read blizzard games

I just got my MacBook Pro a week ago and am having a problem getting blizzard games to work on it. When I insert the cds the drive acts like it wants to read the disk, revs 3 times, and then spits the disk back out. it reads all other cds and dvds just fine. i also have been able to get Warcraft 3 to work once or twice, but that is it. just wondering if anyone else is having this problem and how to fix it or if i should send it back?

You played whutt?! My Intel iMac will play WC3, but not my MBP 17. I could not run Mac th Ripper or Font Finagler until I did an upgrade re-install, but WC3 will not work even after that. Something with the Rosetta install that gets corrupted. Office and other misc PPC software works fine.
Any ideas for me?
Thanks,
Manny

Optical drive won't read or eject...most of the time

I just bought the new MBP online and already had to return it for repairs because it was DOA. (Dead on arival) It was working fine but recently it has stopped taking in dvds for some reason. It wouldn't mount some games, movies, of iWork. After trying to eject these I would restatr and eject using the track button. Then the dvd (uppon reinsertion) would work perfectly. NOW it wount even eject on restart. Can somebody help me, I really don't want it serviced again. Thanks.

***NEWS***
My disk drive error just changed to a DVD isolated error. Stupid me didn't try cd's. (I havn't used them for a long time, since ipod and usb drives) THEY WORK. They enter, mount and play. CD-R and CD-RW both work.
WEIRD BEhavior!!! After removing the cd, the drive appeared in the hardware overveiw, the dvd player recognized it and it now reads dvds!!!! Only after entering a cd first though. I still want to know why its doing this.

Optical Drive won't read newer CD's

My brand new MacBook Pro will not read any of my newest CD's. It will try to read them about 3 times and then spit them out as if they are dirty or scratched, but they are completely clean and scratchless. However, sometimes it will work. But if I eject the CD and then put it back in it will not read it.

Glad I'm not alone. I have the same problem with burned CD's. CD's I burned on a Lacie DVD/CD burner will mount fine on another plextor external burner but will not mount at all on Macbook Pro.
I also had a problem with a CD with a paper label getting stuck in my daughter's MBP. When I let the laptop cool a while and restarted out came the CD. I expected the label to be torn or loose, thus accounting for the reason it got stuck but instead when it came out it was quite intact with no real reason why it got stuck in the first place. I'm beginning to think the hardware inside the slot loading drive is not top notch. If anyone finds a solution about mounting all cd's let me know. I'm hoping for a firmware solution and not to have to bring these units in for repair.

Eearly 2006 iMac Won't Read DVDs or CDs

It seems suddenly my drive won't read DVDs or CDs. These are both blank or store bought. Everything I load one, it spins, tries to read and then just spits it out. I tried the preferences turn to "ignore" and that didn't work.
Anyone know why my drive suddenly is being picky?
So frustrating...thanks in advance!

Hi Gully
Just for the record what brand(s) are you using? I ask because even if they are the same brand you always use, it could be because there from a new of different batch.
Two things you can try on the iMac are resetting the SMC and PRAM and see if that helps!
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1543
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
I burn quite a few Photo & Music CD's using both Maxell and Fujifilm CD-R's, in the five packs they have always come thru. I don't burn a lot to DVD's, but I've never found a bad Memorex DVD-R in a five pack. I know lot's of folks will swear against Memorex, but in the last 2½ years I've never found a one that the SuperDrive in my Early Core Duo would not burn. Lastly I know it cost more to buy media in the five packs instead of 25 or 50+, but I've always done that just in-case they don't work.
Dennis

My CD/DVD-rom drive won't read audio cd's

Since installing itunes on my laptop, the CD/DVD rom drive won't read audio cd's any more! However, it will read data CD's and dvds.
It didn't stop all at once...it started failing to read the odd random audio cd. Over time, gradually more and more CD's not recognised until no audio cd's readable at all!
When I say 'not recognised' I mean that if you look in the cd-rom file with a music disc inserted it thinks the drive is empty. The drive spins the disc a few times and then gives up. As only music cd's affected I suspect this is something to do with the itunes software. I've tried the various troubleshooting tips on itunes help but no joy....has anyone else had this problem / anyone know of a possible solution?
Thanks
Tiny

I had the same problem and I contacted a support team. They suggested that I upgrade my computer's power supply and I did. I had a 250W drive and now I have a 350W drive and it reads the CDs perfectly; except for one certain CD.

Optical Drive won't power on

Hi everyone,
I have a Lenovo Thinkpad W520, and my optical drive won't power on. The problem is that it is by default set on "safe to remove", and when I want to use it, I have to remove it first and then put it back. BUT that won't work unless I reboot the machine after removal. I searched on this forum, but I did not find the solution for so far.
I found some topics on the optical drive, which describe that one can toggle an option for activating the optical drive in Power Manager, which I can not find in my version (6.36).
Is there any solution for this? I would like the optical drive to be powered on by default, and not in the "safe to remove" mode, so I can use it any time without having to remove the optical drive and rebooting the system.
Thanks in advance,
Jeroen
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Well....it may be fine for you to accept an inferior item, not I. I paid for a unit that was supposed to be fully operational and work as designed. I will not accept having to reboot every time I want to put a CD or DVD into my computer! That's like having to restart your car so the headlights work. Even if one doesn't drive at night, you would still expect the headlights to work ANYTIME you want them without the extra steps. I know "where" the issue is and I know "why" the issue is BUT unfortunately, there is not a fix I can find. Between uninstalling and reinstalling drivers and applications and etc. I give up. They will replace my unit according to Lenovo, with a brand new laptop. Should this one have the same issue, I will be disputing my CC charge, and sending the unit back to them for a full and complete refund. I wish I had a copy of WIn8 or Win7 without Lenovo's proprietary software embedded. I bet the unit would work as designed then, but to have them rewrite or add software with hooks directly into the core system is a recipe for disaster. I encourage you to do something about yours also. The more people that ALLOW this "type" manufactured fleecing, the more it will occur.
I guess I will find out just how well this replacement process works.

Optical drive won't eject and can't power off from Apple menu!

I have a Quicksilver that has almost always acted great but ever since I physically moved the machine to another room I've been having intermittent problems. Here's a quick summary:
-Overall more sluggish performance
-Occasionally the optical drive won't eject and I have to restart the whole machine. (I did replace the drive a couple years ago but have never had any problems until now).
-I can no longer shut down/restart from the apple menu, i have to push the power button in.
I used to get device removal error messages at inappropriate times but that seems to have stopped since I reseated my USB 2.0 card. Here's a list of the other remedies I have tried:
-Repair permissions
-Make sure all cards/RAM seated properly
-Replaced PRAM battery (year was displaying 1970)
-Ran DiskWarrior
-Re-imaged entire boot drive
I can't remember if I've tried zapping the PRAM because this problem has been going on for about five months. None of this was an issue before I carted the machine into another room so hopefully I haven't dislodged anything. Also, I notice a lot of static build-up in the room despite the hardwood flooring. Perhaps that could be an issue and if so, any suggestions?
I was dreading that it could be my logic board, any advice?
thanks,
Jesse

Well....it may be fine for you to accept an inferior item, not I. I paid for a unit that was supposed to be fully operational and work as designed. I will not accept having to reboot every time I want to put a CD or DVD into my computer! That's like having to restart your car so the headlights work. Even if one doesn't drive at night, you would still expect the headlights to work ANYTIME you want them without the extra steps. I know "where" the issue is and I know "why" the issue is BUT unfortunately, there is not a fix I can find. Between uninstalling and reinstalling drivers and applications and etc. I give up. They will replace my unit according to Lenovo, with a brand new laptop. Should this one have the same issue, I will be disputing my CC charge, and sending the unit back to them for a full and complete refund. I wish I had a copy of WIn8 or Win7 without Lenovo's proprietary software embedded. I bet the unit would work as designed then, but to have them rewrite or add software with hooks directly into the core system is a recipe for disaster. I encourage you to do something about yours also. The more people that ALLOW this "type" manufactured fleecing, the more it will occur.
I guess I will find out just how well this replacement process works.

DVD drive won't read disks at boot

I have a Paviliton DV6-2113sa running Win7 HP 64bit.
I removed Acronis True Image and when I rebooted I got a BSOD at the point when the coloured balls should merge into one.
I thought OK, put the system repair disk into the DVD drive and boot up, but the drive is failing to read any recovery dosks. I think the drive has packed up as I haven't used it for some time.
Can I use any replacement drive in this model or must I get the same one again?
The drive light flickers as though it is reading data but it doesn't 'spool up' to speed and I don't get the 'press any key to load from DVD'.
The BSODs are a seperate issue which I think running a system repair will fix but I can't as the drive won't read data.
Is it possible to put the repair disk files onto a 4gb USB stick and if so, how do I do it?
Thanks.

Hi Peeps
I had exactly the same problem with my Macbook, again from the UK. Really weird though as would intermittantly read DVD film's which worked fine previously.
Well.... Took it to my local Apple store and saw a genius and anyway they replaced the super drive and logic board (surprised about the logic board!).
But just got it back today and the DVD drive is completely fubard so is being returned tomorrow to get this sorted!
Moral of the story, sounds like a drive or board problem. Will keep you updated when I get mine back
Macbook 2Ghz, 512Mb, 60Gb, Superdrive Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Drive won't read any dvd ejects it automatically

My drive Won't read any kind of DVDs, it keeps ejecting automatically after spinning for a while. it's been going on for a while now. please help!!!!!

You can try resetting the SMC Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support
and PRAM How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support
If that doesn't help you can try a cleaning disc or a quick shot of canned air. It's likely though that your drive has failed, it' not all that uncommon. It that is the case you can either replace it or have it replaced but it's far cheaper just to buy a usb external drive....just not Apples because it won't work with macs with a built in drive working or not. .

HT1338 DVD drive won't read or burn

DVD drive won't read after upgrade to mountain lion install

do you have the win 7 cd handy, try to boot into the discs and see whether that works, this will tell you whether that is software or hardware problem. Such failures do occur, due to ageing of laser.
Regards,
Jin Li
May this year, be the year of 'DO'!
I am a volunteer, and not a paid staff of Lenovo or Microsoft

Optical Drive won't read 90% of CDs

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