SuperDrive conspiracy - Apple take note

Well, having read all the posts about failed superdrives I think there is a situation here.
I called my local Apple dealer by telephone and spoke with an engineer (a nice chap). As soon as I mentioned my problems and error codes re my superdrive not buring CDs (It burns DVDs just fine) he said I needed a new drive. I could almost see the knowing smile on his face.
This my friends, is not a number of isolated cases. I believe there is a larger more commong problem here - akin to the Click of Death in zip drives.
My situation is this.
My superdrive plays CDs, burns DVDs and plays DVDs just fine. It will burn music, but will not burn data. I use Toast 6 and my OS is 10.3.9.
The error messages I get when burning fails is:
Sense Key = ILLEGAL REQUEST
Sense code = 0x72, 0X03
SESSIONS FIXATION ERROR – INCOMPLETE TRACK IN SESSION
I click OKAY and then get
Lead-in or Lead-out failed to be written
My thoughts are this:
1) There is a design fault with eMacs that draw in air across the superdrive thus causing dust to effect it in some way
2) There is a software error in Toast/OS that causes drive to fail
3) The drives being installed are poor quality and not designed to last
Either way Apple should address this issue. Okay, for for it's only $200 to have the drive replaced by Apple. But is there a fix? Why would a drive burn DVDs just fine, but not CDs. It's the same drive!
I have been using and have owned Macs since 1986. I am a great fan, enjoy using them and want to keep using them. But I must question, with many other people in this forum, the situation re superdrives.
What does Apple say about it all?
Steve

1) There is a design fault with eMacs that draw in
air across the superdrive thus causing dust to effect
it in some way
Possibly.
2) There is a software error in Toast/OS that causes
drive to fail
Nope, it's all Apple's fault...100%
3) The drives being installed are poor quality and
not designed to last
You can say that again.
Either way Apple should address this issue.
Maybe 10 years ago. Apple is too busy accomodating their iPod customers.
Okay, for
for it's only $200 to have the drive replaced by
Apple. But is there a fix? Why would a drive burn
DVDs just fine, but not CDs. It's the same drive!
The DVD-Rs and CD-Rs are burned using different wavelengths of laser light, thus requiring two different burner heads.
I have been using and have owned Macs since 1986. I
am a great fan, enjoy using them and want to keep
using them. But I must question, with many other
people in this forum, the situation re superdrives.
Same here. I am a major Apple fan and have been an owner for over 15 years (since I was a kid).
There is definitely a massive problem here. SuperDrives, Combo Drives... they are all screwed up! I just recently had the SuperDrive in my G5 replaced by AppleCare (not to mention it took 1 week longer than they said it would - very bad for business). Sadly, I don't have AppleCare on my eMac.
On the G5 (Pioneer DVR-109 SuperDrive I believe), I saw pretty much the same problems that you are describing. OSX 10.3.4, Toast seems to be completely useless, "ILLEGAL REQUEST, INCOMPLETE TRACK IN SESSION", etc. It completely stopped burning DVDs and data CDs and would rarely burn an audio-CD. It could read CDs fine, but refused to read burned DVDs. After getting the drive replaced, all is well, for the time being anyway. I can almost guarantee this G5 will be making more trips to AppleCare!
On my eMac with the combo drive (CDD5101), I'm having similar problems. CD burning fails 75% of the time, CDs refuse to mount without retrying 10 times, DVDs take upwards of 90 seconds of constant spinning before they mount.
FRUSTRATING! I've been waiting for like 2 months to get my hands on a copy of Tiger so that I can upgrade my eMac and continue working on my software project (which uses an API recently upgraded with major bugfixes and requiring Tiger). Much to my shagrin, after all of this waiting, I STILL CANT UPGRADE! It's so frustrating. The DVD will mount, but like I said, it takes upwards of 90 seconds to do so. Basically, this eMac boots up too fast for it to be able to recognize the Tiger DVD and boot from it. Sigh
So I guess my only solution is to pack up my eMac, walk it through the 2 feet of snow outside, and hook it up to my G5 which is about 5 miles away. ARGH! I'd really be wishing I had gotten AppleCare on this, but I refuse to be dooped by Apple's brilliant, and somewhat shady marketing practices. You mean you want me to pay $200+ every 3 years so that you can fix things that are GUARANTEED to break? I don't think so Apple. If I wanted a PC, I would have gotten a Dell.
I've also been an owner of Macs since the dawn of time...and one thing I must say, I am deeply disappointed with Apple through all of this. I bet they aren't even TRYING to resolve this problem, and why would they? They aren't obliged to or anything - it says it right in their TOS. Not cool man.
I wish Apple would be as loyal to their customers as we are to them. It's sad really. What happened to the Apple we knew 10 years ago?
In my opinion, we all DESERVE new drives. But I guess this is the future (and past) of Apple. Loyals customers investing their time and money into a company, only to get left in the dust. Don't get me wrong, I love Apple, but I'm really starting to grow a giant chip on my shoulder. I wonder how long it's going to be before a class action lawsuit is filed over this?

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APPLE Take Note: holding off on MBP purchase

I've been an Apple user since before the Mac. I'm "loyal" inasmuch as I have owned countless Macs, perhaps every new computer product.
But I will say this: I've been hearing about this noise/whine/buzz or whatever you want to call from the beginning, and from MANY different sources, both online and off.
What Apple needs to recognize is that some (if not large numbers) of its most loyal users are holding off purchasing this machine until this "issue" is resolved, officially rebuked or commented upon, or in one way or another addressed.
This is the only thing that will get the attention of those at the company who have the power to make an official statement one way or another.
Al. PB G4 15 1.67mhz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

To lawlbaker:-
Hey there Essex guy,
I am really happy with the macbook in general and have found apple customer service to be very responsive and helpful. its a completely operating environment that will take me some time to get use to and one which i know im gonna have fun experimenting with.
I have now got some WMP files to play using 'Flip4mac' installed and used using rossetta but i am afraid sites such as 'yahoo' music are out of bounds, they just dont work.
It would be great to share knowledge with someone who lives relatively in the same vicinity compared to others on the forum.
To anyone else:-
I did alot of research before i bought the macbook but did take it as a given that it would play basic 'wmp' files especially as it costs £1500. If i researched every single programme i used on my PC i would be researching forever.
I am sure this issue will be resolved sooner rather then later and that is why i am sticking with my macbook.
To anyone else on the forum who thinks i am having a go at apple, i am not. I am simply stating the limitations of the laptop at the moment and trying to find a solution, so please do not take my comments personally or as any sort of attack. I apolgise if i offended anyone.

Still needs a bit of work (apple take note)

I love this - it is amazing and it is helping me out loads....
However, there are glitches with syncing data (there are work-arounds) and Apple need to sort these and make it easier to re-submit your data. Probably the worst for me was tonight....just went out and ran my best ever 5 mile run (due to this amazing device!). I could see the details on the screen, 35min 50 secs, pace 7.44 (this is quick for me! Hmmm infact I guess my pace would be quicker than this as the Nano says 4.75 miles whereas this is my normal track which I've mapped out to 5miles via GPS) but when I plugged into my mac, it didn't sync....hmmmmm.....went and had a look on the Nano and it had gone! Arghhhhh! I now have no record of my time....my best time.....now I'm going to have to try and run it again now!!
Please Apple guys, when the WWDC is finished please sort a few of these little glitches as this is a very cool and helpful gadget....

but when I plugged into
my mac, it didn't sync....hmmmmm.....went and had a
look on the Nano and it had gone! Arghhhhh! I now
have no record of my time....my best time.....now I'm
going to have to try and run it again now!!
If I understand what you're saying, the Nano is saying your run is no longer on the nano. Right?
Wait. Don't panic. If you disconnect the USB cable very quickly after uploading through iTunes, your Nano will say that there are no runs in its history. Freaked me out the first few times I found my Nano saying I had no runs in my history. But if you reconnect to iTunes, you should see the history reloading onto your Nano. Don't ask me how or why this happens.

Can't update to ios7 on ipod touch 4th generation on this ipod. had facetime but now it requires ios7 so i have it no more and used it a lot with family. would have to buy new ipod. apple should not take away the capabilities you have already paid for

found out i can't update ipod touch 4th generation to ios7 which is now required to use facetime. have used facetime for several years with family now can't use. Apple should not take away the capabilities you already have paid for!!

No correct, you do not need iOS for FaceTime. You only needed to update to iOS 6.1.6.
Unable to make or receive FaceTime calls after April 16, 2014
If you are having problems:
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Help, I have an imac 11.1 with an optical dvd burner. It has died. What external dvd burner willl work? I tried the apple superdrive but it was not recognized.

I have an imac 11.1 running 10.6.8. The internal optical drive has stopped working. I ordered an apple superdrive and it did not reconize it. What external drive can I hook up?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
The Apple USB SuperDrive is only compatible with Macs without built-in SuperDrive (Mac mini, MacBook Air, the Late 2012 iMac and the MacBook Pro with Retina display). However, you can make it to work on your Mac > http://www.tuaw.com/2012/04/02/use-the-macbook-air-superdrive-with-any-almost-ma c/
Any external optical drive will work with your computer

I have a MacBook Pro which has a SSD replacing the superdrive. I have bought an Apple USB superdrive but It's not working when I plug it in?

i have a MacBook Pro which has a SSD replacing the superdrive. I have bought an Apple USB superdrive but It's not working when I plug it in? Is it broken or do I need to download something to make it work?

System Requirements
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WHY DO APPLE APPS NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN 8-CORE'S SPEED?

I bought a new 8-core, 3Ghz Mac with 16GB of RAM because I always by the "best" when upgrading, so what I buy lasts as long as possible.
The unfortunate thing I discovered, is the FCP and Motion neither take full advantage of the processor speed.
Apple tells me there is a limit to the processor speed they will function - as well as the amount of memory.
This seems strange since Apple makes the "box".
I'd be content with all program dynamically sharing the "real estate" but right now the only advantage it being able to work in two apps at the same time. Since that doesn't happen that often, I'd trade that advantage for faster processing per app.
If anyone knows how to remove the “speed-limiter” for apps on a multi-proc Mac, please let me know.
Dan

I appreciate the desire to purchase something that will last and has quality. Still, "best" is a very slippery concept and is often confused with "more stuff" and/or "more expensive stuff".
I'm reminded of the potential folly of the "I always get the best" attitude when I go out to dinner and the person deciding on the wine simply picks the most expensive thing they can find on the wine list. They did not consider the nature of the food (spicy or subtle, acidic or basic, etc) and how the wine will react. They just equated cost with quality. And while the most expensive bottle on the list may well be an extraordinary vintage, it also may be equally lost on the palates of the diners if it does not suit the food that evening.
Since "best" is term of relativity, that is, it references a comparison between things, the real question might be "best for what"? Best compared to what other things under what circumstances?
Did you define the tasks you wanted this machine to accomplish and investigate other options to accomplish these tasks? If not, how can you have decided this is the 'best' machine?
In the for what it's worth category, FCP has been and will likely remain for the near future a 32bit program. It is in the nature of 32bit computing to be limited to 4GB of addressable RAM. Apple does not decide this. This is just the way it is.
Eight processor machines used to be the realm of supercomputers. The OSs of those rarified beasts spent enormous time and computing resources simply keeping track of what its processors were doing - keeping them fed and cleaning up the messes when things get out of sequence. Oh, and the programs were written and compiled for that particular machine as well. OSX is not such an OS and FCP is not such a program. They are designed to run on a range of machines, from single processor PPC G4 Powerbooks all the way up to your mighty intel octobeast. Eventually we'll have 64bit OSs and applications - but backward compatibility and consumer based (aka cheap and as broad a market share as possible) economics limit this movement.
Enjoy your machine, it is very capable. You need to understand how those capabilities can be made manifest. Get an ATI X1900 card and learn how to use as many programs at the same time as possible. If you use Compressor, learn how to set up virtual clusters. You are correct, it is a machine that you should be able to use for a long (in "computer years') time.
Good luck.
x

Display burn in - Apple does not want to replace the LCD

Recently my iMac 24” LCD display began to have “screen burn ins“ or image persistence on the LCD. I have done extensive online research about the issue, I tried setting my screensaver to pure white and running the apple screensaver to resolve the issue. I did not use my computer any more extensively than any of my other macs, so the image burn in came as a surprise to me this early in the Mac’s life span. I understand that the issue exists, and would not surprise me if my computer was several years old and it was never turned off. I will have to argue that the “screen burn in” happened too early for my iMac.
I took my iMac to an Apple store and waited to speak with a Genius and have a diagnosis. After the Genius ran his diagnosis he said that I am out of warranty, however he agreed with me that it was too early for something like this to happen. He proposed that my LCD screen would be replaced, and said that he would give me a break and make a “one time warranty exception and not charge me for the new LCD and replacement based on the circumstance.” The genius placed an order for an LCD panel for my iMac, printed out the work order and shook my hand, I was extremely grateful thanked the Genius for making such an exception.
After leaving my iMac in the store for repairs for 5 days, with excitement and anticipation I picked up my iMac which was claimed to be “fixed”. I got home opened up the box and plugged in the iMac and the first thing that I noticed was a dead pixel that I recognized from the old LCD, what are the odds of the new display having a dead pixel in the exact same spot? I called back to the apple store with my repair number at hand and confirmed that my LCD was never replaced.
I thought to myself, maybe they fixed it, but just to be safe I used the computer until I noticed nothing changed the “burn in issue” is still here. So I created a background image in photoshop to purposely leave on for an hour as proof of the problem. I called back to the apple store early in the morning and talked with the technical center, the girl on the phone said “I remember your mac” I thought we had it fixed. I asked to make sure that the LCD that was ordered for the sole purpose of fixing the burn in issue which I had was still at the store, it was confirmed that it was.
I came by the apple store and a different Genius looked at my computer, saw the excessive burn in. He ran the “Flurry” Screen saver, which helped remove the current burn in but was still not fully removed. He then told me that they would not replace the LCD, and that I should set my screen saver to every 5 minutes and lower the brightness to reduce the load on the screen. I argued that even if I can get rid of the problem after running the screensaver for at least an hour, the burn in just keeps coming back, and fast too.
I came home setup the screensaver settings and began using my machine, not using it for even more than an hour I saw the burn ins from the store and some new ones that came from my doc, and finder window and shadow lines distorting the entire screen, almost making it look like mud lines.
I took a few pictures with a DSL camera at the highest resolution, but I am not sure if this shows enough to really show:
Doc burned in:
#1 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1477936/apple/DSC_0751.jpg (need to make it 100% to see)
#2 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1477936/apple/DSC_0754.jpg (need to make it 100% to see)
Does any one know what I should do now?

Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
I think that regardless that this was a different Genius, the Apple Store has made a commitment to you to repair the iMac out of warranty and should honor this commitment. I would go back to the Apple Store and speak directly to the Store Manager with your original paperwork in hand for the repair that was not completed.
Should you not receive satisfaction from the Store Manager then I would call Apple Care and immediately ask to have your call escalated to a Customer Care representative. Explain the issue to the rep and ask for their assistance in receiving the repair commitment originally made to you by the Apple Store.
Have all necessary paperwork for the committed repair at hand during your phone conversation. Take notes. Get the name and the position of each person to whom you speak. Speak firmly but politely. Do not get angry or make any threats. The minute you mention a lawyer or any other such threat the conversation will be over and Apple will fall back on the fact the Mac is out of warranty and any opportunity of getting a repair will likely be gone.
Dah•veed

Does anyone think that apple do not have any confidence in their products by only giving a 12 warranty repair or replace rather than a 1 year guarantee?

I recently got an iphone 4 through my network provider after 4 days of having the product i started to experience problems. My iphone 4 would start calling people in my contacts without me even touching the phone, at first it was funny but people were not laughing when it was calling them through the night and in the early hours of the morning. My Network provider sent me a new i phone 4 and collected the faulty one, now the newly replaced iphone 4 after 1 week developed a problem with the camera, the shutter will not open and i cannot use video or take pictures. I contacted my network provider who have now referred me to apple who say they have a 12 month warranty in place for a repair or replace service, not a 1 year guarantee which makes me think apple have NO confidence in this product at all. I spoke with apple on the phone and they advised me to go into my local store and they will repair the phone, I advised i do not want the phone repaired as this could cause problems later down the line with the phone itself, but they would not budge saying they would only repair the phone and if worst came to the worst and the phone could not be repaired they would replace the phone. Because i could not get anywhere on the apple customer service telephone line i was put onto another operator who actually said to me on the phone that apple do not like the phones being opened up as this could cause problems later down the line with the phone. Now i had said this to his colleague earlier on the telephone, so if this can cause problems later down the line which he confirmed with me, why are apple not replacing the customers mobile phones instead of repairing them if they know that this can cause a problem with the phone in later life. Me personally am glad i got my phone from a network provider and did not pay £400 - £550 on the iphone 4 as i will be stuck with a refurbished phone now and not a new product this phone is only 1 week old. I would advise everyone considering an apple product to seriously consider the implications of buying an apple product, as it seems to me even apple do not have enough confidence in their product with only giving out a 12 month warranty and not a guarantee. The iphone 4 is a great idea but not a reliable one that will last you for years down the line. I couldn't wait to get my iphone 4, now all it gives me is problems. My previous phone was a Sony Ericcson W995 i have had the phone for 2 years 6 months now with no faults and no problems and my partner also has had the same phone for the same amount of time with no problems. Are new mobile phones not built to last anymore, and if so why such the high cost to the consumer? This is my first apple product my partner also has an iphone 4 and experiencing the same problems as me and i feel really disappointed and let down, where did all the customers rights go?
Diane Gallacher

A 12 month warranty and a year 1 year warranty are the same correct, but a 1 year warranty and a 1 year guarantee are totally different. I sell products in work which have a 1 year guarantee and a 9 years warranty, guarantee means if anything goes wrong with the product in the first year you will get a straight replacement. Warranty means the product will depreciate in value each year. If you spend £1000 on an item which has 10 years cover divide £1000 by 10 years and your product is depreciating in value each year by £100. so if you had a problem after 2 years and were outwith your guarantee you item would be worth £800 which the manufacturer will give you a credit note so you can purchase an item up to the value of £800 or you can put another £200 to it yourself to either get the same product or a product at the same value you purchased your first item. Guarantee and warranty are 2 totally different covers.
Is there also not a cover in the uk on all electrical products for a 5 year term no matter what the product? this one i am unsure of but have been told this is the case.

New AT&T Upgrade Eligibility Update (Apple Stores Not Aware???) *Important*

This is the link to AT&T official update release:
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=1574
I went to my local AT&T store and informed them about this, and the person that took care of me didn't know about it, she was like "No, you gotta wait till 7/13/09 (My case) so that you will be eligible to upgrade to the iPhone 3G S, or you can do the Early Upgrade which is $200 more for both models(16 and 32 GBs)", but than I said that AT&T release this to those that will be eligible in the next three upcoming months so they can pay $199 for 16GBs and $299 for 32GBs, the guy that was next to her that was there was the only one aware of this update, so I kind of understand why is it that Apple doesn't know anything about this (since I called 2 retail stores and they didn't know anything neither main Headquarters) but I would like for someone in Apple to take a look at this and see what's going on, because where I live iPhones 3G S are in back order in the AT&T stores and since I gotta upgrade, my best bet it's going to AT&T, but I could purchase it at the Apple store because they do have in stock here, but than I checked in Apple's website, whenever I'm going to buy it it says that I gotta pay $399 for the 16GBs because I'm not eligible till 7/13/09 and again Apple does NOT know anything about this Upgrade Eligibility Update so they will charge me more, at the end I'm gonna have to wait till AT&T gets some iPhones 3G S and buy it there, but what ****** me off is that they have it in the retail store here
Please any info on this!!!

Yes, and I said that I was eligible in 7/13/09 and yes I'm part of the family plan, I do spend more than $99 and I already went to the AT&T store and the lady that took care of me in AT&T didn't know this, just one guy in there that was an employee like her knew about it, so even AT&T employees do not know this(Must of them) now, in the AT&T stores near me the Phone 3G S is not available since they ran out, but the Apple stores near me they do have it so I checked with Apple and they do not know anything about this, even the main Headquarters, and when I go buy it they are going to charge me $399 for the 16GBs iPhone 3Gs so I guess I'm gonna have to wait for AT&T to have it in the store near me, which *****, because I'm gonna have to wait, when in the Apple store they have it.

Can you use iPad Pages to take notes in class?

I was wondering if iPad Pages could be used to mix typing and handwritten notes? So here is what I want, to be able to take notes in class by typing, and when the teacher starts drawing a graph/table/picture on the board, I can switch over to note mode and use a stylus or my finger to make the drawing and then switch back to typing mode. All this in the same document of course.
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If your using outlines for notes, which I would argue most people don't. (I work in a large corporation and don't see almost anyone doing this) there are other companies that make outlined notes programs that are excellent I think the omnigroup does, and I hear they are porting many of their apps to iPad.. Write ot them and see if they are releasing theirs for ioad.
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The way outlining works is the arrows in the information button when selecting an item that can be outlined. So it's one more tap on the screen to advance it.
Jason
Message was edited by: jaxjason
Message was edited by: jaxjason
Message was edited by: jaxjason

I have just reset my my iPhone 4s and it is stuck on the apple screen, not being recognised by iTunes and fully charged, any ideas how to get it to turn on properly?

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Hi Cjroyle,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
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Hi Apple Communites!
I have a big problem with my MacbookPro. I bought my MacbookPro in december 2010 in Thailand. 5 days ago My MacbookPro suddenly switched off and never start again.
So I sent it to Apple Dealer in Phuket, Thailand to check. Now they told me it is the main-board failure and i have to change it on my own cost.
And it is 26000 Thai baht (870 US Dollars). How comes that Apple do not take care for my cost.
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you are right!! but is this the quality product of Apple that lasts for just 1year and 10 months?
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SuperDrive conspiracy - Apple take note

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