SuperDrive Problem

[waynepixel]

Hi

Well after my superdrive stopped burning disks at 4x, and now only burns disks at 2x, the burner has now stopped working all together. Can anyone here advise me as to what make or model I need for a replacement superdrive.

 

[kwood]

Hi

Well after my superdrive stopped burning disks at 4x, and now only burns disks at 2x, the burner has now stopped working all together. Can anyone here advise me as to what make or model I need for a replacement superdrive.

Answers may vary depending on what type of computer you have. Assuming its your Mac mini in your signature, you need a slot loading optical drive. I have seen them a few times at Tiger Direct.

 

[waynepixel]

If anyone knows where I can buy a new superdrive online in the UK, could you please post the link. I am searching now, but am not having mush luck at the moment. I really do not want to pay apple prices, if you know what mean.

 

[Grasbak]

I assume you have tried different brands of DVD - I have read a lot of threads where people suggest poor quality media fails to burn a lot of the time.

 

[waynepixel]

I assume you have tried different brands of DVD - I have read a lot of threads where people suggest poor quality media fails to burn a lot of the time.

The problem with the drive is that it will not read any of my DVD disks, I have only got the drive to read CDs.

 

[dex22]

If it reads CDs but not DVDs you know the lens and laser subsystem is okay. CDs are much coarser than DVDs, optically speaking. Chances are that the optical head needs cleaning...

When you consider that the drive is potentially junked anyway if you can't clean it, it's worth removing it and taking the cover off and using a Q-tip and some alcohol to clean the lens and see if that improves the situation. If it doesn't, you can replace the drive with a number of slot-loading mechanisms by Pioneer or Sony that have far superior specs. It would be quite easy to find a UK supplier...

Hope this helps...

 

[waynepixel]

If it reads CDs but not DVDs you know the lens and laser subsystem is okay. CDs are much coarser than DVDs, optically speaking. Chances are that the optical head needs cleaning...

When you consider that the drive is potentially junked anyway if you can't clean it, it's worth removing it and taking the cover off and using a Q-tip and some alcohol to clean the lens and see if that improves the situation. If it doesn't, you can replace the drive with a number of slot-loading mechanisms by Pioneer or Sony that have far superior specs. It would be quite easy to find a UK supplier...

Hope this helps...

Thanks for your advise, do you know what Pioneer or Sony model I would need to work with my Mac Mini.

 

[siurpeeman]

if you're looking to save money, perhaps an external drive would be helpful.

 

[waynepixel]

if you're looking to save money, perhaps an external drive would be helpful.

I would buy external drive, but you cannot boot from a external drive.

 

[Eidorian]

I would buy external drive, but you cannot boot from a external drive.

As long as it is a FireWire connected drive you can boot from it.

The Mac mini is not that hard to open either.

 

[waynepixel]

As long as it is a FireWire connected drive you can boot from it.

The Mac mini is not that hard to open either.

Could you tell me how to boot from a firwire drive. When I tryed it did not work.

 

[Eidorian]

Could you tell me how to boot from a firwire drive. When I tryed it did not work.

Hold down Option or 'C' for optical drives only.

 

[Simon1966]

Type the following item number into Ebays serach box: 140099366829

This is the correct superdrive for your Mac Mini. I have bought from him before and he is okay, items arrives in about 7 days from Hong Kong and is really well packaged. Also no tax or customs duty payable.

Regards simon

 

[giacecco]

Me too

I have the same problem, started out of the blue this weekend. Burning a DVD fails a few seconds after opening a session. Burning CDs works fine, no problems when reading CDs or DVDs apparently. Is the drive really broken?

Giacecco

 

[4JNA]

UJ-845 is a good replacement for a mini superdrive. here is the ebay UK Listings for the correct drive.

lots of take apart guides around, and it is an easy swap if you are decent with screwdrivers. best of luck.

 

[giacecco]

Panasonic UJ-845-B or UJ-846

I have found also other auctions for similar Panasonic driver, but which exactly is the right model? UJ-845-B or UJ-846? See this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=140116121850&rd=1&rd=1 as an example.

G.