USB super drive for a MacPro retina. It recognizes CDs but not DVDs.

I bought a new USB super drive for a MacPro retina. It recognizes CDs but not DVDs. I am in region 1 and my DVDs are all region 1. This is the second drive so the problem seems to be in the computer. The problem is the same with battery power or AC adaptor. I downloaded Adobe flash before I bought the USD super drive. Could this be the problem? Any suggestions? Thanks.

MBP refers to Macbook Pro
Do the DVD spit out right away? (indicates a bad loader mech)
OR do the DVD spit out after several seconds (indicates a dirty laser diode lens) ?

Similar Messages

DVD Drive issues, plays CDs but not DVD data or regular - Satellite (unknown series type)

I tried to update the firmware but ran into some strange issues. First of all according to google, the drive is manufactured by Panasonic. Toshiba doesn't make their own drives? For this reason I wonder if it is improperly detecting the drive make/model.
Anyways I downloaded the firmware update for it, version 1.03. It is a MAT**bleep**A UJDA760 (going from memory, model may be slightly diff like UDJA). When I run the firmware update it doesn't detect the drive at all and says it is for a THINKPAD?? Weird...
Also, if you have a link to a guide for removing this drive I would appreciate it. I want to verify that windows is detecting the model/maker correctly. It is not one of the simple hotswap types, it looks like I have to remove at least the entire bottom of the laptop.
I am working on this for a client, I do tech repair on craigslist but my laptop hardware expertise is limited most of my experience is with desktops.

joe7dust wrote:
I tried to update the firmware but ran into some strange issues. First of all according to google, the drive is manufactured by Panasonic. Toshiba doesn't make their own drives? For this reason I wonder if it is improperly detecting the drive make/model.
Anyways I downloaded the firmware update for it, version 1.03. It is a MAT**bleep**A UJDA760 (going from memory, model may be slightly diff like UDJA). When I run the firmware update it doesn't detect the drive at all and says it is for a THINKPAD?? Weird...
Also, if you have a link to a guide for removing this drive I would appreciate it. I want to verify that windows is detecting the model/maker correctly. It is not one of the simple hotswap types, it looks like I have to remove at least the entire bottom of the laptop.
I am working on this for a client, I do tech repair on craigslist but my laptop hardware expertise is limited most of my experience is with desktops.
Typically if the optical drive can read CDs but not DVDs (or vice versa), there has been a hardware failure of the DVD or CD circuitry. Drivers/firmware aren't going to solve the problem, only replacement of the drive.
Find the correct drive at http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/
Find unofficial disassembly instructions at http://www.irisvista.com/

HT2801 I have a 2009 MacBook with an optical drive built in. It has "spotty" performance lately, so I got a USB super drive for Christmas. Unfortunately, the MacBook doesn't "see" it. Any solutions?

I have a 2009 MacBook with an optical drive. It is becoming unreliable, and as a result, I got a USB SuperDrive for Christmas. Problem, neither my MacBook, nor my iMac (2008) recognize the drive. What's the issue? I thought I could get a few more years out of my MacBook by using an external USB optical drive.

The USB SuperDrive is only designed to work with a few Mac computers.....specificaly the ones that do not have an internal Optical Drive...
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD564ZM/A/apple-usb-superdrive

My CD/DVD drive reads CDs but not DVDs

Hi All
I have a TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L633M DVD drive in my laptop and after about 6 months of use, the drive stopped reading/writing DVDs. It still reads CDs fine and occasionally will read a DVD (completely unprovoked and without warning...!) but is very temperamental and will randomly just stop reading a DVD. Often, the drive will eject and give an error message telling me to insert a disc. I'm not sure what to do.
I'm running Windows Vista 32-bit. I have tried running the Microsoft Fixit application, which recognises that the drive is failing to read DVDs but offers nothing more helpful than that and doesn't fix anything (despite its name...). I have been reading through a number of different forums and have found a range of advice: replacing the drive, uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers or editing the registry. What should I be doing to fix this problem? Naturally, I'd prefer not to have to replace the drive itself, but if that's the only way...
Thanks in advance!
Mangi
This question was solved.
View Solution.

The registry thing only works if the drive is completely AWOL from the system so that it does not appear as a drive in "My Computer"....not your issue. The DVD and the CD use different lasers and it is not uncommon for one to go bad and the other not. You can check the function of the DVD by trying to boot from a bootable DVD. If you cannot the drive is bad and needs to be replaced. If it works sometimes and not others it could just need a good cleaning with a DVD lens cleaner.

Satellite A50-109: Drive handles CDs but not DVDs

Hi
I'm writing from turkiye.
I've a problem about dvd rom. My dvd-rom can open CD but not open DVD.
What can be problem? Can you help me please?
Thank you from now..

Sorry but your posting does not give us enough info for better problem understanding. Which DVDs you mean? Are you writing about original DVD movies or some self created movies, copies or what?
Please test it with different content (movies, saved files and so on) and let us know what happen exactly.

CD drive reads CDs, but not DVDs

I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 13. 2.3 GHz i5. I can no longer play DVDs. That goes for movie DVDs and DVDs with software. CDs will work just fine. Both music, data and software CDs. I have reset the SMC and couldn't find any more support. I'm thinking of replacing the whole Superdrive.

Try cleaning the lens first. Use a lens cleaning DVD or wrap a fine microfiber cloth (eyeglasses cloth) around a business card. Carefully insert it into the slot.
Ciao.

DVD drive reads CDs but not DVDs

My DVD drive, CDDVDW TS-L633R, will read CDs, both music and data e.g. Epsom installation disc, but it will not read DVDs, videos or data e.g. MS Office installation disc. I ran the CD/ DVD diagnosis software - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060/?wa=wsignin1.0 and the final message said that the disc (DVD) was not readable.

whatisthislife wrote:
My DVD drive, CDDVDW TS-L633R, will read CDs, both music and data e.g. Epsom installation disc, but it will not read DVDs, videos or data e.g. MS Office installation disc. I ran the CD/ DVD diagnosis software - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060/?wa=wsignin1.0 and the final message said that the disc (DVD) was not readable.
Means most likely the laser DVD is dead and the drive needs to be replaced.
I am a Volunteer to help others on here-not a HP employee.
Replies aren't online 24/7 because of Time Zone differences.
Remember in this Day and Age of Computing the Internet is Knowledge at your fingertips if you choose understand it. -2015-

Hello I just bought the usb super drive and for some reason when I put the disc in and download the application it won't show.Just a bunch of words will show up.

Hello I just bought the USB super drive for the mac book pro and for some reason when I put the disc in and I download the content and for some reason when I put the aplication just a bunch of random words come out,not the content the disc brings.

Ok, I hope I'm not steering you in the wrong direction, but I've just found this on the support site for the software.
Interchange Interactive Whiteboard Software System Requirements
Please note: These discs work on Windows PCs only.
Minimum System Requirements
Pentium II 300 MHz processor
Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP / Vista
64 MB RAM
50 MB free disk space if not installing onto hard disk
1.44 GB free disk space if installing (recommended)
4x CD-ROM drive
800 x 600 screen resolution displaying 16-bit color
Sound Blaster compatible sound card
Mouse or other pointing device
Headphones or speakers

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.

I have an older iMac 5,1 and the disc drive no longer works. I was hoping that I could the Apple USB super drive as a replacement, but the info on the super drive page says compatible with iMac 2012 or later. Does anyone know why it would not work for me?

I have an older iMac 5,1 and the disc drive no longer works. I was hoping that I could the Apple USB super drive as a replacement, but the info on the super drive page says compatible with iMac 2012 or later. Does anyone know why it would not work for me?

A reply to similar question (Q & As , in product page Apple Store) says:
"...dissable the internal reader hardware from devices setup. Then plug the external usb superdrive and that's it." Answered by Enrique T from Lima Oct 25 2013.
If you can locate an external Apple USB 'Air" superdrive for earlier model MacBook Air, that should work. The newer one for the Air is the same as for iMac, now.
You may be able to use other brands of external USB optical drive with your older intel-based iMac, as some of them function capably. A few should also be able to see system discs or other bootable utilities on DVD.
Hopefully this helps.
Good luck & happy computing!

How to use usb super drive at mcbook pro with retina

I had just bought a mcbookpro with retina on-line. I bought a USB super drive as well. I don't know how what button i'll be using to operate the usb super drive. Can anyone help?

If you've a CD with Microsoft Office on it, all you need to do is double-click the installer program on the CD. If you don't see the CD mounted on your Desktop, go to Finder>Preferences>General, and tick the box that says "CDs, DVDs, and iPods" under "Show these items on the desktop".
After you've finished installing Office, simply drag the disc to the Trash and it will eject (I don't have a Retina display model, so I'm not sure if there's an optical disc eject button next to the F12 key or nor - if there is, you can use that as well).
Hope this helps.
Clinton

I have a new MacBook Air with a USB super drive. I put in the DVD and I get nothing. No icon on the desk top and DVD player is no help. How do I play a DVD or eject the one in now?

I have a new MacBook Air with a USB super drive. I put in a DVD and I get nothing. No Icon on the desk top, no help from DVD player. How do I get it to play and how to eject it now that it's in?

There's a defect. The computer is in warranty so take it in for repair.

My USB super drive is not reading DVD

when i connect my usb super drive is not reading DVD

External SuperDrive DVD player fix - RESOLVED!
This solution worked for my Superdrive, which I had installed in a USB external case, so now it can play movies using Apples DVD Player App, but additional steps may be needed, as I outline below. I had removed the SuperDrive from my mid-2009 Macbook Pro 15" 2.53 ghz to install a second hard drive with Other World Computing's "Data Doubler" adapter, and mounted the SuperDrive in an OWC Value Line SuperSlim external case.
I don't know if the first two steps below are necessary, but I had done them first, because others suggested them as fixes before I found the solution in the 3rd step.
1) I installed Apple's SuperDrive Firmware Update 3.0, which is on Apple's support site at http://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201953
2) Then I applied a fix on this page, http://www.hardturm.ch/luz/2011/10/how-to-make-the-macbook-air-superdrive-work-w ith-any-mac/comment-page-12/#comment-106449, using Text Wrangler to edit the preference file at /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist by adding code mbasd=1 between the two string values. However, that still did not resolve the problem. I left the preference file with the code “mbasd=1″ included, as outlined on that site.
3) Then, I used the fix at http://macriot.com/mcrt/?p=2294 which requires modification of some code embedded into OS X’s DVDPlayback framework; essentially replacing the words “internal” with “external”
Now my external Superdrive plays movies using DVD Player.

Why won't my USB Super Drive play anything?

My USB Super Drive won't play anything. All I get is a "supported disc not available" message no matter what I put in. Why?

nobody here would know as you provided no real details for us to go on...

HT2494 Usb super drive is not playing my dvds. keeps ejecting them. It is brand new

USB SUPER DRIVE IS NEW. MAC IS NEW. THE DRIVE IS NOT ACCEPTING MY DVDS. KEEPS EJECTING THEM.
I HAVE THE MAC, 21.5 INCH INTEL BASED DESK TOP

I have the same issue wherein my external usb superdrive is ejecting the DVDs.
When I had the Snow Leopard, I was able to copy the DVDs into my hard drive, or even just watch DVD films. Since I have the Mountain Lion, the DVD films which I used to be able to watch were not able to be read anymore ... it ejects them.
I did not notice it when I upgraded the Mountain Lion, because I did not watch any new DVDs. Noticed this only couple of months back, and been searching for the solution.

USB super drive for a MacPro retina. It recognizes CDs but not DVDs.

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for