Superdrive Problem

My superdrive stopped working and every CD or DVD is not loading. The CD/DVD immediately gets "spit" out of the drive ! Can someone help ?
FYI, I have a 24inch early 2009 iMac !

try purchasing and using a connercial, retail CD/DVD dry brush lens cleaning system disc.
Sometimes these can revive a malfunctioning optical drive.
If this doesn't help, then the internal optical drive may be failing and you may need to replace it with an external optical drive.
Good Luck!

Similar Messages

Does Apple Plan To Help Anybody w/ Their SuperDrive Problems

I see a lot of questions from people who spent good money for a superdrive and are unable to use it BUT NO ANSWERS. Does apple even read these forums? This is totally unacceptable. I want all the possible answers to all SuperDrive Problems NOW. Get on it, Apple. Stop making new ipods and start helping people with the broken junk that you gave them in exchange for hard cold cash.

First let's start by saying that we are all sorry you are having a problem with your SuperDrive.
That being said there are a couple of things that you must understand.
First we all have had one or more issues with the capability of the Superdrive in one sence or another,
You must also understand that the Software that comes with the Superdrive is ENTRY LEVEL. It is far from the top of the line in burning software.
The ease of use with the better software is daylight and dark in comparisson for most users.
The supplied software is cumbersome and difficult for some users to navigate through, not being used to it.
In comparison the better software gives you very informative choices of DATA, AUDIO, VIDEO, Likewise it gives you the choice of PC only, Mac only, or PC, and Mac compatible. Not all Media on the market is compatible with all burners and visa versa.
DVD can be confusing at best without doing some research.
Most users assume they can just put in media and click and wa-la they have a copy, Sorry to say this isn't the case.
There are very few step by step instructions on the use of Drive capabilitys and the use there of. I contend this is by design by the entire Industry. Read my response to this post.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=264696&tstart=0
Lastly, To my knowledge there are no Apple Butt Boys on these fourms, and none of us are here but for one purpose.
To help one another with our problems.
Rather then to go through the hassle of contacting Apple for every little problem we have that for the most part are self induced.
If you have a specific problem, all you have to do is give as much detail as you can to your problem and there are hundreds of very very sharp people on here that have forgot more than you or I could ever hope to know that are willing to take there time to help. Don

Solved superdrive problem

Some months back, I posted some discussion about iMac superdrives. Mine wouldn't burn properly (or so I thought) and then wouldn't read properly. As it transpired, upgrading the RAM from 256 to 768mb cured the playback. DVD's, where the playback appeared jilted (stop and start) now read okay. I can only assume there was not enough memory to buffer the content of the DVD to play.
On the Superdrive, eventually it wouldn't even read CD's. So my local tech <metek.com.au> fitted a new Pioneer 16x and downloaded <patchburn.de> and voila. It burns and reads DVD's like new.
One point, it will read at 16x but only burn at 1x. This is due to the hardware in the iMac. The Patchburn site has more details.
The Pioneer drive (DVD-RW DVR-110D) cost a shade over A$100.00 whereas the Apple replacement was a down payment for a house. So for anyone suffering from Superdrive problems, accept the fact they don't read forever and fit a new one.
Another thing Rik <macmate.com.au> said was the dust inside the machine builds up on one side of an iMac and is a poor environment for optical drives My computer is on everyday and from now-on-in I'II give it an annual clean. Hope this helps someone, James

That may help, I hope! Will go tomorrow to get different media. But the wierd thing is in a 50 spindle of memorex 16x dvd-r's i've gone through (burned) half the spindle!!! a week and a half ago! bought some "new" sony 1x-16x "ACCUCORE" discs and havent got one burned in either Toast 7 or 8! or using a burn folder or disk utility.
Toast will start to prepare the burn, then it gives me a message that it couldnt complete the burn.
The odd thing is in all occurances is the drive doesnt even start to spin-up! Took it to my local MacMall Thursday and they replaced the drive and was able to burn 1 data disk on 1 dvd+r media (a 500k file) on a disk that was already kinda beat up. No -r though. A new error message came up: Mac os error. They claim it's a software problem with osx!
I have 55 days of applecare left and intend to let them replace the drive again and reload fresh tiger.
I did an archive/reinstall of Tiger today and nothing, again! (so i'm currently at 10.4.6 - will hold off on the 10.4.9 updates for now)
Will head out and get media in the morning and see what's up, if nothing i'm off to MacMall!!!
oh here's my sys specs for the sony drive:
SONY DVD RW DW-U21A:
Firmware Revision: AADB
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +RW
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: No
its in a dual 2g G5 with 1g ram, 160g internal, 600g and 250g ext lacie triple xtreme drives on the fw800 port and a 45g vst fw drive plugged into the front fw port.
we'll see mañana………………
Craig V Butler

Superdrive problem (Late 2008 unibody Macbook Pro)

Hi guys.
Basically I have had this problem for the last 2 months with it working once after I installed more RAM and opening up to find quite a dusty interior of my unibody MBP. I cleared out the dust installed the RAM, tried a DVD and it worked for the first time in a few months.
I then tried upgrading to Snow Leopard using the SL disc and it didn't work. I have a youtube video describing the issue and when I tilt the MBP on it's side I also get a clicking noise from the DVD superdrive. **I also have the exact same issue with a late 2006 model MBP**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIUkDOeRHlI
So here is the issue, I am not under warranty anymore and I was thinking of using compressed air to try and clear out dust that is perhaps lodged inside the drive, but maybe you guys have some better ideas or maybe if it's dead just order a new drive and swap it myself?

Compressed air is more likely just to redistribute the dust inside your drive than to remove any of it. A drive cleaning disc would have a more focused effect, and using one often solves what may seem to be a serious hardware problem. Pick one up at any Radio Shack or other electronics outlet.
Don't move or tilt your computer while a disc is spinning in the drive. Gyroscopic forces will cause the disc to scrape against internal parts of the drive, possibly damaging both.

Apple USB SuperDrive problem

I purchased an Apple USB SuperDrive a few months ago with a new iMac desktop. The SuperDrive was working fine. Now suddenly it has begun cutting out/dropping out on songs when I transfer them from commercial CDs to iTunes. Anyone else having this problem?

Yes, I have the same problem. I've been trying to burn CD's to my superdrive. Everything fine up until the update to 10.9.3. I'm assuming no fix is available due to Apple's customary silence when a problem emerges ...

24'' iMac SuperDrive Problem

I have a problem with my iMac's SuperDrive. I have a DVD recorder for my TV, and I recorded a movie to a DVD-R. When I insert the DVD into the iMac, the drive spins for a long time, then mounts an empty CDR onto the desktop. I have no idea what's going on. Does the iMac not play DVD-Rs? Help would be greatly appreciated.

I am quessing that the problem is not with your iMac's Superdrive.
DVD is not as straight forward as one might think. There is a big difference in Recorders and Burners.
I am also quessing the DVD recorder for your TV is recording using a different Codec than that used for Mac.
Most software that comes with different components differ a lot.
Many of the software on the market today give the user options to burn for PC only as well as Mac only and PC or Mac compatible so there are 3 options.
Remember you also have settings. Go to your Apple, then choose System Preferences next choose CD/DVD and this will open a box that allows you to select what you want to happen when you insert a Blank CD or DVD as well as commercial Media.
I'll bet that if you insert this same DVD you burned in a PC it will play, this will tell you that PC only software is used by your DVD Recorder for your TV.
There is so much information to digest about DVD Format's, Software, Speed, Media, any and all of these can have effect on your ability to read and write.
If I may suggest do a Google seaarch and you can get a ton of information like these.
Quality of Media.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm
Differences in Media.
http://www.videohelp.com/dvd
How to burn with Mac supplied Software.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303599
So after looking at these you can see there can be more than one problem.
Don

Imac Superdrive problem

Ok im a newbie so forgive me. I have a imac running osx version 10.75
Bought new in 2009 with dual intel process. The problem i am having is with the superdrive.
It will read most cd/dvd's but one of them it will just spit it back out. I originally thought it was a problem with the disc, but it reads just fine on other imacs and macbooks. As well as other windows machines. The disc itself is recorded in a .VOB format, inside a VIDEO_TS folder. I thought the problem was the file extension, so i downloaded VLC player and installed. Still no change. I insert the disc and after 5-10 seconds the disc ejects
Can anybody help????

Zap the PRAM and Reset the SMC, then try again.

DVD Superdrive problem. Can anyone help?

Hi,
My MBP seems to have developed a fault with the superdrive (MATSHITA UJ 857D).
CDs mount OK but when I put a pre manufactured DVD in the drive you can hear it speed up, stays at the same speed for something like 5 seconds, slows down and repeats this twice more. The disk gets then ejected.
I have tried the flash patch, spoken about elsewhere in this forum, and other suggestions, but to no avail.
Also, can anyone tell me what the difference is between an 857, 857D, 857C and a 857E?
It appears to me that this is a common and a much occurring problem, seeing the number of issues brought up in this forum. I phoned Apple UK and on mentioning my DVD problem, the chap on the other end of the line said that they know of no such problem, and that my only solution was to have my MBP repaired (at a considerable cost, I can well imagine).
I referred the chap to the forum displaying all the problems people seem to be encountering AND on apple's own website and I was made to feel as an annoyance. Very regrettable.
However, you kind folk don't want me ranting on about my dealings with a snotty Apple representative.
If anyone has got a hint or a tip then it would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Message was edited by: rvs

Thanks for getting back to me.
It's quite incredible to be told by some snotty nosed apple customer service dipstick that they aren't aware of any fault reports regarding superdrives.
The patch is for 10.4 and above, I believe. I haven't tried it yet for fear of buggering up the drive completely.
Applecare, no, that's not really for me. I think it's a rip off, as any computer under normal circumstances should last 3 years plus. Specially apple mac machines which are generally more expensive then Window machines. I never had PCs in my life, I have always owned Macs, from the days of the Classic 2s and I never had to take out extra insurance for fear of having to replace a dodgy drive.
Having said that, Luck is on your side to have taken out Applecare in your case.
I hope you can get it sorted, free of charge.
Best Wishes, Rob

Can you help with a Superdrive problem?

DVD-R disks that I have burned and finalised on an LG PVR are not recognised by my new iMac external superdrive. This was not a problem with my previous iMac with internal dvd drive. Is there a solution please?

Hmm, from the customer reviews here, I think you need a different Optical drive...
http://www.cnet.com.au/lg-ms408-hd-dvr-339298308.htm
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/

Possible fix for UJ-815 Superdrive problem

I found a number of posts some time ago regarding this problem. Seems my Superdrive started making coasters when either reading or writing CDs / DVDs. The problem manifests itself in a grinding noise that gets louder and louder, then the drive eventually stops spinning. When it ejects the disc a circular scratch, about 1/16" in width, is noticeable near the middle of the media. The disc is then rendered useless.
So I replaced my original Superdrive with a Matshita (Panasonic) UJ-875, a much faster and more capable drive. I got it from Powerbook Medic for $99 but there are other sources such as OWC. Powerbook Medic says this drive may be installed in any of the Powerbook G4 Aluminum or Titanium models as well as the Macbook Pro 17", the Powerbook G3, or the iBook G4.
Replacing the drive is not difficult, just delicate. You need patience, good eyes, and tiny tools to manipulate tinier screws. Powerbook Medic's guide was helpful.
After installing the new drive I disassembled the old one by removing the four Phillips screws securing the top cover. Upon opening the drive the problem was immediately evident: a metal plate installed beneath where an inserted disc would be was bowed upward. There was also clear evidence of plastic CD material deposited on the area corresponding to where my discs were damaged:
See the red circle. It's not terribly clear in the photo, but that's plastic junk. It was bent to a degree that was obvious when sighting down the edge of the metal. Reflections in it were distorted.
How the metal got to be bent is a mystery, but it stands to reason that as the drive gets warm (and they do get quite warm in use) the metal could expand and bend upward, causing the damage. I thought removing it might be instructive, but as soon as I loosened the screw near the edge of the case the metal "popped" back into a flattened shape. So I merely tightened the screw that I just loosened.
The red circle is the screw I loosened, then tightened.
Now, I haven't re-installed the drive to test this fix but it seems a pretty straightforward fix, with the metal piece flat again it shouldn't interfere with the media. Of course, it could bend upward again, but perhaps the hole this screw goes through is slotted and the screw was too tight. Perhaps the metal piece could be removed and left out entirely; who knows. The point of telling you all this is that if your drive starts exhibiting the same symptoms it might be worthwhile disassembling yours to see if this is a worthwhile fix, since the cause of the grinding noise and disk damage was obvious.
Hope this helps!

download the icloud control panel version 1.0.1 from here http://www.putlocker.com/file/0238BBABA8F91AFB

Mac Pro 3,1 Superdrive problems

OK... I have a pair of aftermarket (not the OEM-Pioneer) drives in my superdrive slots. The original Pioneers, like many of the others I've read about on-line, were "sticking" when I tried to eject the tray. Went with the Memorex maybe 4 years ago, and the Lightscribe about 3 years ago, both in frustration.
There were working just fine as of early this morning, now... all the sudden... they show up in the "eject" pull-down in the 10.6.8 menu-bar, and will eject/close via the menu-bar, but neither will mount a disc. The same disc(s), tried in a different machine, mount without a problem.
I've got a Memorex ATAPI DVD-RW in the one bay, and a Lacie/Phillips DVD 8651 "Lightscribe" drive in the other.
Working one minute, not reading discs the next. They're still showing up on the buss, in the AboutThisMac-hardware-ATA line, but they aren't mounting discs.
I'm stumped.
Chip

Some aftermarket drive do not sleep properly. Some do not meet the new standards for sleep.
AN SMC Reset may bring them back to life:
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

SuperDrive problems on MacBook (13 Inch)

Hey I'm having a problem with my MacBook (First model)'s SuperDrive,
Whenever I put in a CD or DVD it spins around for about 10 seconds or so
and then spits it out.
I recently tried swapping out the SuperDrive with a friend's with the same model
but it still did not work which singles it out as a software problem so I'm wondering if anybody would know what i could do.
Thanks,
Ian

I too am having the same problem and it has only just happened after installing the latest Apple Update for Leopard OS X 10.5.8. My Macbook is a similar model to kinnybee's. I had just reinstalled my laptop going back to a backup version from one year ago as I had some system conflicts of some kind causing applications to close immediately on opening. I was upgrading from 10.5.6 to 10.5.8 and then 5 days ago downloaded the latest Software update from Apple. Now I can play music CD's OK into iTunes etc but others including Blank DVD-R do not show up on the desktop and get ejected after 10-20 secs. The drive does not even get spinning properly but seems to hunt back and forth fitfully. I suspect this is a conflict/driver issue and APPLE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS as far as I can see. There are far too many posts about drive failures that seem to be more software than hardware related.
Ray
System Notes:
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB31.008E.B02
SMC Version (system): 1.24f2
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled
SYSTEM 10.5.8
Build 9L31a
Software Update:
Version: 3.0.4
Last Modified: 13/08/2010 12:55
Kind: Universal
Get Info String: Software Update version 3.0, Copyright 2000-2007, Apple Inc.
Location: /System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-857E:
Firmware Revision: ZF1E
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: Insert media and refresh to show available burn speeds

Please help...superdrive problems?

I bought my MBP in December last year and am living in a country now where there is no Apple dealership. I bought it in Canada but will be in London in one week. I am having issues with my superdrive I think (and I think its a common problem after doing a search on here). My problem is the massive inconsistency for it reading blank DVD's and CD's...and sometimes even pro DVD's. It spits them out..and I have to put them back in again and it spits them out again..and SOMETIMES it accepts them.
Do people recommend that I replace the drive before the 1 year warranty is up, or is it a software issue that Apple needs to resolve? IF people recommend a drive replacement, will it be ok for me to bring it into the London store if I bought it in Canada?...though I don't have my receipt on me on this trip.
Any help?
Thanks!

It sounds to me like a dirty or defective drive, skills, probably the former.
Apple don't recommend using drive cleaning discs, so , as you are still under warranty, the best course is to take it in to an apple store. (If you weren't under warranty I'd simply suggest that you use a cleaning disc).
They will probably replace the drive even if it is just dirty. The receipt shouldn't be a problem . The warranty is world wide, and your serial number will indicate the approximate date of purchase.
Cheers
Rod

Superdrive problem, verification failed with toast7 and 8

If I burn a dvd disc with toast 7 or 8 the verification fails immediately or at 1% of verification. When I see a video dvd burned with my superdrive 2 o 3 times during the film some frames are dropped, I've tried to read the dvds with the table player under my tv too and the problem is the same...
I encounter this problem from november 2006, when I bought my imac 24

Generally the first two things to try are these:
1) Burn at a slower speed;
2) Try a different maker of dvd media.
DVD-burning is timing-sensitive. Always best to avoid doing other tasks on the computer while burning.

Superdrive Problem 27"?

I just bought a 27" iMac about two weeks ago, and finally used the superdrive today. Everything seems to be working fine on the machine, but it seems like it won't take the discs unless they are angled right to put in the superdrive. I don't know if this is normal because the drive is so small or because I am putting it in too far of an angle to where it hits something and doesn't go in? When I put it in straight on it goes in without a problem.

HI,
Read here: Using nonstandard discs in optical drives
When I put it in straight on it goes in without a problem.
Don't insert a disc at an angle. Just straight.
Carolyn

SuperDrive problem. is it or not?

Hi,
My superdrive is acting strangly latly. sometimes when I put a blank DVD or CD into the drive, it takes like 2 minutes and then spits it back out without opening Toast. Other times it will take about 2 minutes and then open toast.
With CDs and DVDs that are not blank, it takes forever for them to mount, and sometimes they don't mount, they just get sent out again.
Does anyone else have this issue? Any ideas how to fix it? Will applecare fix it if I can't?
Thanks
Chris

If you're absolutely positive it's not your CD/DVD's that are to blame then yes, bring it into your Apple shop and have them ***** the problem for themselves ...if it's not working properly it will be replaced.

Superdrive Problem

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