Calibrate laser power

I have been burning cd's in the past with no issues. Now all of a sudden I am getting a "The attempt to burn a disc failed. The device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media". I have tried two different brands of blank CD's and get the same error. I have seen several other comments about this error though no one has responded that their problem went away or if in fact they had a hardware issue.
So my question is this---if I try a laser cleaner what brand or version is the right one to use? I looked at one today that said must take care with slot loading......
What are the suggestions before I take it in?.....
Thanks
Michael

The calibration error is usually an indication of a failed drive. You could try cleaning it with a cleaning disc designed to work with a slot loading drive, but its quite likely the drive has simply failed.

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CDs work but not DVDs "device failed to calibrate laser power level for med

Hi
I've been having a problem with my disc drive.
I can burn CDs but not DVDs. Have OS 10.5.6.
While trying to burn an error message comes up saying
"This disc can't be burned because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media?
I tried to go into Apps - Utilities - Disk utilities and repair, but this message still shows up and refuses to burn anything even in Toast.
Please help. Any advice would be valuable. Thanks.

njdesigner wrote:
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try the brands you suggested.
I don't think the drive may be dirty, because wouldn't the CDs not work as well?
Not necessarily. Different lasers, different power levels, etc.
It's really a dual drive: CD and DVD. Almost two separate devices with a common motor and platen,etc.
You can get a cleaning CD from RadioShack and elsewhere. Get the dry one with the small brushes. Works fine on everything but a notebook.

Dvd burner error message "device failed to calibrate laser power"

When I try to burn a dvd, I get an error message:
The disc can’t be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.
and then it spits out the disk. This has never happened before.
Advice?

If Wjosten's suggestion does not work, clean the dvds - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50448 or use another dvd brand - Verbatim, Maxell or Taiyo Yuden are highly recommended by Mac users.

Error Message while trying to burn a DVD-R with my MacBook Pro: "The disc can't be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

While using my Mac OS X Version 10.6.8 to burn a DVD-R I keep getting the error message: "This disc can't be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media."
So, I tried the iDVD and got the same error message.
Can anyone out there help me? I've tried both a DVD - R, and a CD.
I made a short 2:20 minute presentation from iMovie and used the "share" to iDVD, then to iTunes, then I tried exporting it to Quicktime and saved it on my desk top. That is when I tried burning by opening the blank DVD-R in the finder then draging the movie on to it and selecting the burn option. Thank you for your time in helping me with this frustrating problem.
Peace, Pyxidis

I have had that same problem, but it was unrelated to any upgrade.
In my case the optical drive was simply failing, and I replaced it - it was a Powerbook, about eight years old.
It is possible that it's unrelated to Lion, as unlikely as this may seem, since you've just upgraded.
Optical drives seem to be the most life-limited component in these computers. The laser just seems to get weak with age.

How do I deal with this error message when burning DVD's: The disc can't be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

I am getting this error message when trying to burn a DVD: The disc can’t be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media. iMac, Mac OS X 10.6.8 Memorex DVD-R 12x Any ideas?

First, try a different batch of recordable DVDs. If you still have problems, you may want to make an appointment at the genius bar and have it checked. The drive may be failing.

Failed to Calibrate the Laser Power?

I tried burning a MP3 CD from my 12" Powerbook G4 (867Mhz) running 10.5.1 and got the following error:
The attempt to burn a disc failed. The device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media
Has anyone ever seen/heard of this? I tried a search on the keywords and didn't find anything.

I have similar problems. CDs nearly never burn no matter what make they are. Most of the time CD-Rs don't even get recognised and even if they do they only burn properly about 30% of the time. Same with DVDs. The only DVDs that never fail me are Sony. All other brands give errors or don't get detected.
Disk Utility usually gives me the 'laser power level' error and Toast gives me various error codes. Weird thing is that the problems only started a couple of months ago. Before that I didn't have any problems burning CDs or DVDs. Once they are burnt (on another computer) my MacBook Pro recognises the CDs and DVDs fine.

Mac OS X 10.6.8; iPhoto- photos to 'burn folder'; press 'burn' symbol. This window appears: 'Burn - The disc can't be burned, bcause the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media'; what to do next to address this?-

have Mac OS X 10.6.8; Put a few iPhoto-photos to 'burn folder'; press 'burn' symbol. This window appears: 'Burn - The disc can't be burned, bcause the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media'; what to do next to address this?-

That's a hardware issue and I'd ask on the forum for whatever Mac you have.

Burner - device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

The burn to the MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-845E drive failed. The device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.
Huh?? Have no idea what this means, after a forum search am more confused... I don't think I've installed any software that has effected it (suggested in other discussions) The only other one that might have been useful was archived and I couldn't work out how to read all the threads so if anyone can help with this error message that would be awesome.

I just wanted to share my experience with this issue:
Early 2008 Mac Pro with two 16x SuperDrives (Sony NEC Optiarc 7170A). BOTH SuperDrives stopped working properly at the same time. After a few months of burning only CDs, I suddenly found myself unable to burn DVDs.
I could read and write CDs, but I could only read, not write, DVDs. Attempts to burn DVDs gave the dreaded "could not calibrate laser for this media" message in Finder, Disk Utility, and Burn. (console Burn error: 0x8002006D The device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.)
The fact that both SuperDrives went bad at the same time made me think that it had to be either the media or a software/firmware glitch.
I tried Memorex, TDK, and Verbatim media; neither would write. I tried canned air, a DVD-cleaning-disc kit, resetting SMC and PRAM (which of course involved rebooting), the International pref pane trick, even tried flashing the drive firmware with new and old firmware revisions. My last resort was to install Snow Leopard on a blank partition; I still got the same error message when trying to burn a DVD from the brand new, fresh OS install.
It seemed ridiculous to have a $3,000 machine unable to burn DVDs, so I ended up purchasing two new SuperDrives from MacSales/OWC. (Apple Original Pioneer DVR-112D-BK Internal [Black Bezel] 'SuperDrive' up to 16X DVD+/-R, up to 8X DVD+/-RW, Up to 8X Dual Layer +/-R DL, up to 32X CDR/RW Burner.) These were available to ship the same day for $34/ea.
I just received them; it took only 15 minutes to swap out the old drives with the new ones. They work perfectly, on all my media.
I suppose $70 for two new drives is more than worth the frustration of trying to resolve this problem by other means. I hope my experience can help others with this same issue.

I am getting this message when trying to burn a cd: The disc can't be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

I have a mac book pro OSX 10.7.5 I am getting this message when trying to burn a cd: The disc can’t be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

Look here:
Burner - device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

Error Message: "device failed to calibrate the laser power level..."

Receiving error message "The disc can't be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media."
What does this mean? What do I need to do? Happens with every disc I try.

It means your superdrive/optical drive has failed. That error, in my experience, is always a hardware problem. If you're under warranty, it will most likely be covered, unless there is any accidental damage to your system.
If you're out of warranty, optical drives aren't the most expensive component in the world if it's something you need on a regular basis.

Burning failed FIRST time.."device failed to calibrate the laser power leve

Anyone know what this means? I've NEVER once EVER had trouble burning a CD.
It just initializes over and over and doesn't burn or even recognize the CD is there later. I had to force quit to turn off iTunes and then eject the wasted disc.
The message says "The attempt to burn a disc failed. The device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media."
Help anyone? does this mean my super drive needs fixing??
thanks

Ditto.
Suddenly, it doesn't matter if I'm trying to burn a CD or DVD -- no go. I tried cleaning the lens, resetting the PRAM, upgrading the system and iTunes and burning with various programs and the finder. Nothing works.
And, like Rollie, I've NEVER had trouble burning a CD.
What's going on here, Apple gurus? Can all of our Superdrives be failing at once? And what are our options? Lose our computers for a week and spend about $500 to get a new drive installed - with no guarantee that's going to work any better than the old one? I might as well buy a new machine, except I'm worried Apple is STILL using these crappy Matshita drives. <insert sound of grinding teeth here>.
Luckily (if you want to call it luck) I still have my old G4 around, whose drive seems to be working fine (well... I take that back. I haven't tried it yet today...). Maybe I can set up a network...

Been trying to burn a movie onto DVD and get this "The disc can't be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media" Anybody know what it means and what to do? Help! Thanks

Been trying to burn a movie onto DVD and get this "The disc can’t be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media" Anybody know what it means and what to do? Help! Thanks

It generally means that the media is faulty or of poor quality. Most of us here use Verbatim, Maxell or Taiyo Yuden media.
OR
Your Superdrive may need a clean.
If you have further questions please state what Mac, with what versions of OS X, iMovie and iDVD you are using.

The device failed to calibrat the laser power level for this media

Hi,
Does anyone knows what this means:
"the device failed to calibrat the laser power level for this media"
And, any selutions for it?
Thinks.
Ed

Pure voodoo, but heck, it's worth a try!
Just to simplify:
Open System Preferences.
Click on "International"
Under "Languages": Drag any of the other languages to the top,
then drag English back to the top.
Set "Order for sorted lists" to English
Set "Word Break" to English (United States, computer)
Close System Preferences
Restart computer
Thanks Greg!

"The Device Failed to calibrate the laser power..." HUH????

Every time I try to burn a CD lately, a few things happen: the CD itself doesn't show up in iTunes; the CD gets ejected; then a message pops up: "The attempt to burn a disc failed. The device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media"...what the HECK does that mean? is it my computer? Is it the updated software? Someone please HELP!!!

Hello! I've been having the same exact message!! "The attempt to burn a disc failed. The device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media."
I recently burned a data CD & had to change the rate @ which my laser burned cd's.
I thought perhaps that I hadn't reset my I Tunes Preferences correctly. I even highlighted my playlist & converted everything to MP3's with a right click to be safe.
Yesterday I updated my I-Tunes version. After an hour I was so frustrated as I couldn't burn a music CD!!! SO!!!! I double checked that the manual rate of CD burning is 24 X........ I was using a Memorex blank CD-R..... with a 40X rate. TODAY I bought a 32 X CD-R from Maxell........ AND a "Philips 4 in 1 Complete Cleaning System" UPC code is 6-09585 12772-2 ....ran the CD/DVD cleaning CD with microscopic brushes through my Imac, not once but twice, and VOILA! PROBLEM SOLVED! I can now burn CD's again.
The 40 X blank CD-R's from Memorex have worked before, I'll probably try to use one in the morning just to be sure.
I hope this helps! (I used to do advanced computer technical support for AT&T, Charter, Comcast, etc for Macs 8.5 -- OS X, and PC's Win 95, 98, 4.0, 5.0, ME, XP home/pro. )
I was actually contemplating trashing I-Tunes & reinstalling it if nothing else worked.
Good luck!
Lisa

Calibrate the laser power

Hi All
When i go to burn a CD or DVD I get the following message:
'The attempt to burn a disc failed. The device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.'
I'm using an 17" iMac 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 1 GB 677 MHz DDR2 SDRAM running OSX 10.4.11
Can any body please tell me why I'm getting this problem. I have used 3 makes of CD / DVD
Regards
Lee Harris

When you start the burn, the drive's laser moves to a special spot on the CD or DVD and reads a code that is on every CD which indicates the maximum burn speed of the media. It then performs a sample burn to determine the power level required to burn the disc. There's a small variation for each disc. If the drive cannot perform this sample burn successfully, it gives you this error.
The error generally means one of two things: bad media or a bad drive. Hearing that it might be the media, lots of people complain that the media worked just fine on their PC. And it might have. Each drive seems to have its own preferences and the drives put into notebooks tend to be more picky than the drives used in desktops. Also, media can go bad - it should be kept in a cool, dry, smoke free environment.

Calibrate laser power

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