Laser power levels

everytime I try and burn a playlist in i-tunes i get the error message tht the laser power level could not be calibrated for this media. I have tried many different brands of cd-r disks, verbatim, maxell, tdk... one of the tdk worked on the first disk of a multiple cd playlist but gave me the same message on the second. I can burn data onto dvd-r disks with no problem and have burned audio onto dvd-r in i-tunes with no problem. I do get error code
0x8002006D when i try to burn data on a cd-r outside of i-tunes. lowering the burn rate does nothing, and a few times a cd-r that didn't work suddenly got past the calibrate error only to stop with a medium write error. what can I do?

The most obvious reason I can think of, is a dirty lens or a (large) dust particle on it.
You can burn DVD, but get errors with CD. As the layers on those two media are at different depths, that could explain it.
Try compressed air to clean it. Of course it has to be free of traces of oil.
Be careful with it. Most 'compressed air' aerosols are in fact carbon dioxide, which, when used excessive, can freeze and damage delicate components.
An alternative would be a cleaning disc if compressed air doesn't help.
These normally don't work in slot loading drives.
M

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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.

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.

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.

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!

Got a MacBook with 10.5.8 I am anable to burn cds, dvds, and dl dvds. Everything worked before I reformatted my computer but now it comes up with error messages like unable to communicate or something about the laser power levels. Help! Anyway to check

Got a MacBook with 10.5.8 I am anable to burn cds, dvds, and dl dvds. Everything worked before I reformatted my computer but now it comes up with error messages like unable to communicate or something about the laser power levels. Help! Anyway to check to see what is going on?

Hi I am having the identical problem with my 24" intel iMac 2007..... Did you ever figure out what the problem was? I'm on round 3 now and with a completely blank grey screen and it won't start up from the disk 1.. I also have diskwarrior and techtool pro as well as the osx leopard and snow leopard disk... The HD is new.. Replaced by apple 3 months ago.. Don't know the cause the first time this happened about 9 months ago.. 2nd time, 6 months ago it never rebooted from the office for mac 2008 critical update... Did a clean install after backing up to TC... Took it to apple replaced HD even though it appeared ok, they checked all hardware and I ran techtool pro daily ever since. Last week software update had several updates avail. Office for mac being one of them.. I updated and have never booted since.. . I swear to never ever use another Microsoft product as long as I live if I can just fix this once more... Help me please

Failed calibrate the laser power level for this media??

I have very new imac 24inch. I tried burning a file to a memorex dvd-r and I got this message: "This disc cant be burned because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media."

Hmm. I tried something else and it worked. At first I followed the tutorial at the apple web site found here:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1479 which prompted the error.
This time instead of dragging and dropping, I located the file itself in Finder and went to File > Burn this file onto .... and it burned without the scary looking error.
The problem with the tutorial I think is that when you drag the file and drop it into the dvd folder it drops an alias, not the file itself?

"failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media"

I was trying to duplicate/backup my Tiger DVD using the Disk Utility app and got this error message: "Unable to burn - the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media"
What does that mean?
G4 17" Powerbook 1GHz.

does it do it with all media? Have you tried different brands, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, etc.?
When I had this same problem, the fix was sending my laptop in to Apple and getting the drive replaced.

Disk cant be burned because my laptop failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media

Tries to burn some files onto a CD-RW and I got this error message. The disk cant be burned because my device failed to calibrate the laser power level for the media

Hi David,
Mac SuperDrives are notoriously picky about the discs they'll play nicely with. Looks like your's is one of those. FWIW, I've had many more problems with RW discs than regular ones. I'd try another brand of regular disc.

Iam getting the following message when i try and burn a dvd using my mac The disc can't be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.

The disc can’t be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media.
Can anyone help
Thanks

Unfortunately your drive has *probably* failed. You can try a cleaning disc, sometimes thst can help. First though try resetting the smc and pram.
To reset the smc on Desktop Macs
Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord.
Wait fifteen seconds.
Attach the computer's power cord.
Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer
Resetting NVRAM / PRAM
Shut down your Mac.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

Laser power levels

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