Optical Drive dead - what external CD/DVD will work?

My three year old white 13" Macbook has a dead optical drive after I dropped it last month. Which external drive will work, especially if I want to do a full restore from the external drive?
Thanks much!
Zake

Hi ZDarton,
I'm a big fan of LaCie, I have several of their external HDs and I've used their external optical drives before for CD replication. Their prices are pretty fair, their build quality is very good and my experiences with their customer service department is always solid. Here's some options from their product line:
Desktop "grade" - http://www.lacie.com/us/products/range.htm?id=10014
Portable "grade" - http://www.lacie.com/us/products/range.htm?id=10037

Similar Messages

Optical drive picks and chooses when it will work

For some reason, the optical drive on our Mac has been acting weird for about 3 months. It will only read my husband's games (Civ IV and Command and Conquer). It won't read any of our kids' games, my CDs, or any of our backup CD-Roms. It also won't burn any CD-roms. I haven't checked recently, but a couple of weeks ago my 7 y.old was watching Harry Potter on it, so I guess the DVD function still works.
I'm assuming that we need a new drive. Space on my desk is at a premium, so I'd like to find something internal rather than external. I don't burn disks very often--usually just backup disks and photos a few times a year. We don't burn DVDs, at least not yet!
Is my hypothesis correct in that the drive is kaput? If so, what should I look for in a new drive? Are there any especially good drives? And is an internal drive a good choice (assuming that external drives come with more bells and whistles)?
I have installed memory upgrades several times over the years , so I'm pretty comfortable working inside a Mac. (Eeep, 1st Mac Love was in 1988 <--dating myself). Is this a job that I could do myself?
Any help is welcome!
Thank you--
Jane Healy
Machine information:
PowerMac G4 with dual 867 MHz processors, 1 MB L3 cache per processor, 1.75 GB DDR SDRAM and using OS 10.4.9.
Here's the info on the drive:
PHILIPS CDD5101:
Firmware Revision: A4.2
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 8192 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-Raw
Media: No
PowerMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Sure sounds dead to me. If it won't play or record at all, that's a very bad sign. The lens cleaning trick may work, but you should have noticed a lot of skipping before it got to the point you are at now if it was just the lens. But that's definitely what you want to do first, to be sure.
Installing an optical drive is not difficult. OWC has a great series of videos on how to do so at this link: http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/installation.cfm
Pioneer drives are very popular with Macs and for good reason. The current version is the 112, and has received generally good reviews (OWC carries the 112, although New Egg has a cheaper price. Both are bare drives - not retail versions, but you can just reuse the screws and cables you have). xlr8yourmac maintains a user database of people's experiences with different drives in different machines at this link:
http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/drivedb/search.drivedb.lasso
It's an excellent source of info. If you want to go with a retail package, it will cost more. Best Buy carries the 112, but Pioneer gives it a different number in the retail version (it's the 1810).The retail package will give you some windows software and screws and a cable. Now that I think of it, I don't know if your machine has a 40 or 80 wire cable; you'd need the latter to get full dvd burning speed from the drive. If you want to go external, I just got a Samsung 184 and it works beautifully, on sale at Best Buy but sale ends today. A combo drive like the Philips will only run about $10 cheaper than a dvd burner.
Look to spend about $40 for a bare drive, $65 for a boxed version, $80 to $100 for an external.
mac pro, dual 1.25 g4 Mac OS X (10.4.9) dell 9200, dell xps 400

What external hard disk will work on both windows and mac?

I need to buy a hard disk that will work in both mac and windows. i live in India and will buy it from ebay.in
Can you please suggest a 2 TB hard drive (external)

best options for the price, and high quality HD:
Quality 1TB drives are $50 per TB on 3.5" or $65 per TB on 2.5"
Perfect 1TB for $68
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Portable-Hard-Drive/dp/B005J7YA3W/ref=sr_1_ 1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379452568&sr=8-1&keywords=1tb+toshiba
Nice 500gig for $50. ultraslim perfect for use with a notebook
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Portable-External-Drive/dp/B009F1CXI2/ref=s r_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1377642728&sr=1-1&keywords=toshiba+slim+500gb
2.5" USB portable High quality BEST FOR THE COST, Toshiba "tiny giant" 2TB drive (have several of them, LOT of storage in a SMALL package) $117
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Connect-Portable-HDTC720XK3C1/dp/B00CGUMS48 /ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1379182740&sr=1-4&keywords=2tb+toshiba
*This one is the BEST portable external HD available that money can buy:
HGST Touro Mobile 1TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive $88
http://www.amazon.com/HGST-Mobile-Portable-External-0S03559/dp/B009GE6JI8/ref=sr _1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383238934&sr=8-1&keywords=HGST+Touro+Mobile+Pro+1TB+USB+3.0+7 2 00+RPM
Most storage experts agree on the Hitachi 2.5"
Hitachi is the winner in hard drive reliability survey:
Hitachi manufacturers the safest and most reliable hard drives, according to the Storelab study. Of the hundreds of Hitachi hard drives received, not a single one had failed due to manufacturing or design errors. Adding the highest average lifespans and the best relationship between failures and market share, Hitachi can be regarded as the winner.

Before starting AHT, be sure to disconnect all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, display, and Ethernet adapter. Also disconnect any external optical drives. What does this include?

Before starting AHT, be sure to disconnect all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, display, and Ethernet adapter. Also disconnect any external optical drives. What is included in these external devices?

I have tried repeatedly to use the Apple Hardware test on my iMac desktop 10.7.3 early 2009 4 GB with no luck. What am I doing wrong? I have everything I can think of unplugged. Do I need to disconnect BlueTooth in Preferences?
Thanks

I have a HP G71 Model#G71-329WM. I need to replace the optical drive. What is the part Number?

My HP G71 Model#G71-329WM will not load a CD or DVD so I need to replace the optical drive. What is the correct Part number? Thanks
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi:
Below is the link to the service manual for your notebook.
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01713747.pdf
Replacement optical drives with HP part numbers can be found in Chapter 3, page 33.
You can also read the instructions in chapter 4 on removing the drive and getting the part number off of it which will be normally found on a white sticker. A 6 digit-3 digit part number (123456-001)
You can search by the part number on eBay for a used but working device or you can probably buy one new from HP by entering the part number at the link below.
http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/Default.aspx?mscssid=6287767FBDD34F3696CF3D0837BDBC96
Paul

HT4356 What printers beside HP will work continuously with an i-pad? I tried Canon and Epson and both time-out after a short time, requiring the user to re-initialize. This defeats the idea of a wireless printer, Thanks Art

What printers besides Hp will work continuously with an i-pad? I tried Canon and Epson and both time-out after a short period of time rerquiring the user to re-initialize, which defeats the purpose of wireless printing. Please help, Apple can not. Thanks to all. Art

Canon support told me that the I-pad printer driver would not work with any printer, including HP. They offered to fix the problem for $50. I turned them down.
If they really could fix the problem, they must be saying to update the printers firmware. Look on the cannon website & update the priners firmware. While you at it, update the routers firmware.
What printer do you have?
List of supported AirPrinters.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4356

What type of games will work on my ipod mini 1st gen

i got my new ipod mini yesterday and its my first ipod and i want games but i dont know what type of games will work on it?

There are no games available for the iPod mini in the iTunes Store. Sorry.
B-rock

What Adobe Illustrator software will work with Mac OS 10.7.5?

What Adobe Illustrator software will work with Mac OS 10.7.5?

Hi TuBits,
The newest version will work on it, check it here: http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/tech-specs.html
Thanks!
Ankit

What version of Elements will work with Canon Print Studio Pro

What version of Elements will work with Canon Print Studio Pro?

I tried this step but it did not work. I have a Mac YosemiteOS 10.10.1. I copied to plug in files from Canon Print Studio Pro. Open canon utilities, open print studio pro, open CS4 folder and copied files CNPSPP101.plugin and CNPSPP102.plugin (not there is also a folder called CS5 but it has the fame plugin files)
I copy these files and then go to Photoshop Elements 13 and paste these files in Support File folder in Plug - ins and also did in folder Optional Plug-ins.
I then open Photoshop Elements 13 and hit Automation tools but Canon Pro Studio option is not there.
Can you provide more details on where I might be going wrong.
I put in a trial version of Elements 12 and have no problem. I just can't find where to purchase Elements 12 so I do not lose it in 30 days. Know where I can purchase?

What version of Quicktime will work with Movie Captioner?

Does anyone know what version of Quicktime will work with Movie Captioner on a MacBook Pro, OSX version 10.2?

If you have a MacBook Pro you can't be running OS 10.2. If you are running OS 10.2, you have some other model Mac, not a MacBook Pro.
Can you provide the correct info?
 Cheers, Tom

What version of mozilla will work with pentium 3 697 MHz, 256 MB of RAM windows xp sp3

what version of mozilla will work with pentium 3 697 MHz, 256 MB of RAM windows xp sp3

I'm not sure I understand your question. Firefox 12 being the last version to support XP without SP2 implies that Firefox versions 4-11 would also work on XP without SP2.
You may have seen a reference to Firefox 3.6.28 because for a while Firefox 3.6 received some updates in parallel with the releases of Firefox 4-10, and 3.6.28 was the end of the line.
If there is an article that needs updating on this site -- and I can assure you there are many -- you may be able to submit proposed edits to it because many pages are "wiki" pages with an Edit link. Or if you want to post the URL of the problem page here, feel free to do that instead.

What online photo storage will work best with icloud?

I have 2 laptops and a iMac plus 3 iPhones and one iPad. Currently we have our photos all over the place, (20,000+).
What online photo storage will work best with the future icloud? looking for the best integration and security.

Thanks for the link. I'd seen that. I have indeed formally submitted feedback via Apple formal process. I've even called Apple Care (had coverage under one of these boxes) and they put me in touch with Pro Apps.
All those folks could do was register my concern/complaint because there is NOTHING being provided within Apple that answers the question "what about my Aperture online gallery capability?".
If you happen to see a link offering any specific guidance or relevant migration solutions from abandoned MobileMe/Gallery users and customers and fans, please post it.
I shall do likewise.
Since I can't activate iCloud services until I abandon MobileMe, and I won't abandon MobileMe and commit to all the migration time and effort until I'm convinced that replacement solution will be around for more than a few months, right now, I am caught in an Apple-caused chain of dependencies that leaves me quite frustrated! Therefore, my search continues in earnest -- the part of the solution that concerns me most? How many Apple software products that I've come to depend on are now obsolete or incompatible.....iWork, iWeb, iPhoto and Aperture all come to mind as potential victims to Apple's latest "progress"!

What flash player version will work on BBC news streaming?

What Flash player version will work to run BBC news streaming on my Mum's old imac OS 10.4.11 ? Th version Flash 10.3 will not install and an earlier version download 10 may do the trick. Anyone know how to fix this or where to get such a download?
Adobe don't seem to offer an alternative.
Any ideas please.
Jeff293

The latest flash version for OS 10.4.11 is v10,1,85,3 which can be downloaded from: Macromedia/Adobe Flash Player
Check Flash Version
Adobe strongly recommends that you first uninstall any previous version of Flash Player, using the uninstaller: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_14157 Follow the instructions closely, such as closing ALL applications first before installing. Repair permissions and restart your computer after the installation is completed.

External optical drive won't play movie DVD

The SuperDrive on my very late 2009 MacBook (OS 10.5.8, Leopard) died, and I got a well-rated CD/DVD player/writer, Samsung SE-218BB) instead. It is meant to be compatible with my Mac. It works with things like Disk Warrior, but recently, I tried to play a video disk and got the message "Utilization error. A valid DVD player could not be found (-70012)." I've read a lot of other messages about this same error and have done what was recommended (throwing out the appropriate plist file from DVD player, for example). The messages were for other Mac models and/or versions of OS X, so maybe there is some advice that is specific to my Mac that would pertain? By the way, the DVD does show up in the Finder in a generic kind of way (that is, I think it is the kind/manufacturer of the disk,but it certainly isn't the name of what is on it), and when I click on that, it opens a bunch of separate files that don't seem to have much to do with watching the movie.
I also tried one of the tips given in the DVD Player manual (dragging the file to the DVD Player icon. All that did was make the DVD disappear. I had to restart,, with the mouse "button" (really not a button) on the Mac pressed, which released the DVD from the external drive.
I don't think the problem's with the hardware, since I can play Disk Warrior in it (that opens automatically after I insert the DVD. So what's with the movies? I've checked Software Update, and my software (DVD Player 7.7) is up to date for my Mac and OS version. I don't even know whether I should be using DVD Player for movies. (I haven't tried a music DVD, but I suspect that should open in some other app.) I don't remember playing movies on my computer when the internal SuperDrive was still working, so I can't make that comparison.
I hope you can help me. I'd be very sorry if I had to give up on playing the DVDs I now have. My VHS/DVD player-recorder used to be just fine, but my cable company set it back up wrong when they installed a new cable box, and now they want $50 even to look at it, so for now (until I find some company, say, the manufacturer of the player, that can tell me how to set it back up) the only way I can play and burn movies is with my computer.
Thanks,
jenny

I have discovered, no thanks to Samsung techs, what the problem is, and it might be revealing for others, as well. It seems that DVD Player, which is the app Apple provides in OS x for (naturally) playing videos, doesn't work with external drives if the computer has an internal drive – even when, as in my case, the internal drive is dead.
I have learned, however, of the existence of a couple of alternative, free applications that run video and audio disks with external optical drives, and one of them, at least (VLC), seems to be widely acclaimed. Does anyone know whether bypassing DVD Player could be a bad idea? There were some gripes from one or two reviewers about awkwardness with playing audio DVDs with iTunes, but I'm not sure what they meant when they said that you have to click on individual items in a selection. Would that mean, for example, having to click on each movement of a Mozart trio? That I couldn't play an entire album's contents of another kind of music without clicking on each song?
Getting the internal optical drive replaced would be prohibitive, even if the parts could be obtained, so I guess I'm stuck trying to deal with the external drive I have and finding the best replacement for DVD Player that I can find. The interesting thing is that the drive works beautifully with a MacBook Air I tried it with, so I guess that is because the Air doesn't have an internal drive?
Wouldn't you think that Samsung techs would know all this? The one I spoke to told me to make sure that my system preference for CDs and DVDs was set to open automatically with DVD Player and sent me all kinds of FAQs, plus a way to get an RMA number for a return. Not a word about difficulties with Macs having an existing internal drive. And all after spending a very long time talking with me about what was going on, what the error message was, and so on. I guess the message hasn't gotten to them.
I hope this information will be helpful to someone.

Mid-2010 Mac Mini, dead optical drive: Are any slim Firewire DVD burners compatible?

The optical drive on my Mac Mini seems to have died prematurely, as the OEM drives are known to do. Estimated cost of replacing the internal component: $170. And it would be the exact same model Apple optical drive, not a more robust one.
Now very reluctantly thinking of adding yet another peripheral. USB ports are pretty well filled but I don't use the Firewire port for anything.
Trouble is, since Apple discontinued Firewire, the manufacturers of Mac-compatible optical drives aren't making Firewire models any more.
There are a few recent Firewire DVD burners from PC peripheral manufacturers, such as Acer, Aopen, Dell, Pioneer, Sony (Amazon reviews say it's restricted to burning Sony media) in a small "slim" form factor.
Anyone have information about their compatibility with Firewire 800 on mid-2010 Mac mini, Mac OS 10.10.1 Yosemite?

There are some steps involved which may translate to tedium,
as noted in the repair guide for the Mid 2010 Mini from iFixit.
•Mac Mini - Mid 2010 Repair Guide - iFixit:
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Mini_Mid_2010
At about Step 25, of an overall rated Difficult process, you can
see the Optical Drive, and likely be at a point to install replace-
ment, then reverse the process; paying heed to advice given.
•Mac Mini - Model A1347 - Optical Drive Replacement - iFixit:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+mini+Model+A1347+Optical+Drive+Replacement/3167
At least you can get into this computer. Be sure to have a spare
optical drive cable and other possible items that may get broken
in the process. Oh there also is a PRAM battery in this computer
that may or may not need replacement while it is open...
If at one point, if several parts were to be replaced at one time, a
visit to a service technician becomes very cost effective. Find one
that will install the parts you may get from third-party sources. If
you know someone at a college computer lab, they may be able
to perform the swap, test their work, and be done, in short order.
Or, chose to use an external inexpensive 'superdrive' equivalent.
I'd heard the LG brand was among some that work, and can also
be used to boot the computer from System DVD or utility discs...
It is a USB drive, can burn DVD/CD media, and is not costly.
The ability to swap out the defective optical drive, and replace it
with an SSD or second storage drive, may be a way to go; but
it also would be at least as tedious as optical drive replacement.
This may add value to the device, in a resale situation later.
That would use the 'drive doubler' idea referred to at macsales.
In the above main guide, is a primer on how to swap out the optical
drive and replace it with a second hard disk drive or solid state drive.
Similar to what the OWC site says, but they have a good kit, too.
Good luck & happy computing!

Optical Drive dead - what external CD/DVD will work?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for