IMac not reading scratched DVDs but macbook does

I understand that badly scratched DVDs shouldn't work, but my macbook happily reads DVDs we borrow from the library, as does an Xbox, but our iMac won't even recognise them. Just spits them out. Have we got a faulty/oversensitive drive?
Only bought the iMac about a year ago (macbook is older). Initially wasn't a problem and has taken us a while to realise that DVDs were reading in other machines. We just assumed they were too scratched for any machine.

Hi Russ,
I would be surprised if the DVDs WERE readable if they are badly scratched. The fact that the MacBook reads them just means it has a very tolerant optical drive. iMacs are rather finicky about a lot of things, memory has to be exactly right, etc. Others on here have reported optical drives that reject even new DVDs for various reasons, so it sounds like just a picky drive and probably not one that is faulty.
If you are concerned you could take it to an Apple Retail store and have the genius bar folks check it out...and take one of the reject DVDs along to try on other iMacs in the store and see what happens. That could be a thing to try anyway just to see what happens.
Ralph

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IMac not reading CDs/DVDs

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I tried spraying some compressed air into the slot, and it still won't read most CDs or DVDs, but now when I insert an MP3 CD that my boss had burned for me, the window pops up for when you insert a blank CD, so the drive is reading blank (or previously burned CDs AS blank), but not DVDs or normal CDs (for example, it spit out both a video game installation disc and a movie DVD).
I made sure that if i go to Finder > Preferences > General that "CDs, DVDs and iPods" is checked, and everything looks normal in System Preferences > CDs & DVDs.
Anyone have any ideas?

Another help source (if you haven't already done so).
Go to your OS Help Menu. In the search field type dvd
Click on all the troubleshooting topics & Support Articles that pertain to your issue.
You can also do the same in Disk Utility. Open same up.
At the bottom left of the window, click on the purple button w/the "?" in the middle.
This will bring up the Help Menu.
===============
Try a different brand. Top forum favorites
CDs
FUJI
TDK
Verbatim
DVDs
Maxell
Verbatim
==============
Apple's Disc Burning Quick Assist
Make sure the DVDs are not dirty, smudged and/or scratched.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2000 Mac doesn't start up from install disc
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2801 Apple Computers: Troubleshooting the slot-loading SuperDrive
*** Your drive may need cleaning. Cleaning kits can be purchased from any store that sells CD/DVDs. ***

MY DVD drive does not read all DVDs and also does not burn CDS properly. Often while burning a CD i am prompted that " The machine is unable to caliberate teh required Lazer Power"

Hi i am having a i MAC which has mountain lion OS 10.8.2. I am facing teh followwing issues with my disk drive
1. I am unable to read all DVDS in it some DVDS work while others do not
2. I am able to read all CD's, but while burning a CD i am prompted with the following message
" Unable to caliberate lazer power"
3. Kindly assit me in solving this problem
regards

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Four thoughts
• Brand and type of DVD/CD Media
• Burn Speed ?
• Ever used a Cleaning DVD ?
• Free space on Main Start-Up Hard Disk ?
Brand and type of DVD/CD Media: MATTERS
- Memorex, NoName and other Cheap brands - most probably works for other things BUT NOT FOR VIDEO.
I only use Verbatim
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I only use DVD-R
Burn Speed (in iDVD or alike): Matters
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I set it down to x2 or x4 Max
Ever used a Cleaning DVD ?
I use one WITHOUT Liquid but with brushes from time to time
Free space on Main Start-Up Hard Disk ?
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Richard:
I've been using an OWC Mercury DVD/CD external burner. It's actually a Pioneer unit in their case. It costs $99.00 and has FW/USB2.0 capability.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/
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Help :( DVD Drive will not read Blank DVDs but movie and data DVDs ok.

I am at loss what to do. Whenever I put in DVD with media in it (including +R), it plays and reads it all just fine. CD data reads no problem too. However, when I put in a Blank DVD, it chugs and ejects it out completely.
Preferences are fine. It says 'Ask What to Do' is set when 'You insert a Blank DVD'
Here was how it started. Previously, I could put in a blank DVD and it would be just fine but I'm having problems burning after the 10.5.6 update. Read in a post somewhere to try resetting your PRAM which I did and now it won't accept the blank DVDs. Everything else is fine.
I know a lot may say it's a bad batch, but I bought a new batch, Memorex vs. Verbatim and nothing.
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Hardware Overview:
Model Name: MacBook Pro 17"
Model Identifier: MacBookPro2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.33 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP21.00A5.B08
SMC Version: 1.14f5
Serial Number: W86*
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-85J:
Firmware Revision: FAV1
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: Insert media and refresh to show available burn speeds
< Edited by Host >

Repairing permissions yes. But in my head, if everything is working fine for it, just won't read Blank media, could it be a software thing?
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IMac not reading scratched DVDs but macbook does

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