Optical drive noisy when empty

[gglockner]

Just added an LG Blu-Ray drive from OWC to my 2009 Mac Pro. It seems to be working correctly, but when the drive is empty, every few (3-5?) minutes, the Mac now makes a sound like the drive is about to open the door on the Mac Pro. This wasn't an issue before I added the LG Blu-Ray drive. Anyone else seen this issue?

 

[ActionableMango]

Look at any blu-ray thread and you'll see this complaint. Only known fix is to leave a disc inside.

 

[gglockner]

Thanks, I hadn't seen this before. I just searched and found a thread, but I didn't find any links to the possible fix.

Edit: Nevermind, I found a good thread on the Apple discussions:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/12875640

 

[JavaTheHut]

You can try adjusting your Hardware Preference / CD's & DVD's set them to...
Open Toast Titanium.app [see attached] The image shown is the config I use and the LG WH10LS30 does not seek for a disk when the drive is empty.

If your not using Toast then try changing to "Ignore".

Good luck!

 

[gglockner]

You can try adjusting your Hardware Preference / CD's & DVD's

Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to help. I tried different combinations but the Blu-Ray drive just spins randomly. The only thing that seems to help is to leave some disk in the drive. It's a minor nuisance, and not Apple-like.

 

[JavaTheHut]

In all honesty I am not sure why my ODD stopped doing the buggy seek thing? Another possible thing is in Win 7 there is a firmware update app for LG drives that I had run before in Parallels, just sort of forgot about it and then I noticed one day "Wait a tic! - I don't have a blank CD in the drive and there is no noise?"

~Weird
Here is a version number for the firmware if it helps any VER 9.01.1124.01

 

[gglockner]

Hmm, seems that OWC sold me a model (UH12LS28) that has no firmware updates from LG. I'm 90% sure it's an OEM version of CH10LS20, which does have a firmware update. I'm somewhat tempted to apply the different firmware, though there's always the chance that it will brick the drive.

Edit: "The drives must be original LG branded drives with the SMB model number CH10LS20(no OEM units). If you have an OEM unit, branded with another manufacturers name, please contact that manufacturer for support and firmware updates." Blech.

Is this an issue with LG drives? Would I do better with another brand?