Superdrive won't write.

[e.m.]

Hello. I have an eMac with a superdrive running 10.3.9. All of a sudden, the superdrive won't burn any discs (cd/dvd) no matter what the content/format may be (audio cd, movie dvd, data cd/dvd)...

I have run the Hardware Test CD, and it tells me I have no hardware problems. However, I didn't see on there that it tests any optical drives, so I don't know if it actually tested my superdrive.. I have also repaired permissions from the Panther install disc, and it still won't burn anything.

Do any of you have any idea if this problem is fixable (i.e. maybe a reinstall of the OS, if it isn't a hardware problem)? Or do you think that the drive itself is more likely defunct?

Thanks for your help.

e.m.

 

[mad jew]

Could it be program-specific? Are there other apps that can burn disks?

 

[840quadra]

As mad jew stated, is it program specific?

Does the issue occur only in Macintosh programs (iTunes, iDVD and iPhoto) or just one of the 3, and or a 3rd party program ?

 

[e.m.]

Thanks for your responses.

I've tried making audio cd's and mp3 cd's in iTunes, burning data discs through Finder, and burning a disk image from disk utility. So I guess they're all Apple apps. I don't have any 3rd party means of burning discs at the moment...

 

[widgetguy]

i had the smae problem in my g4 powermacfor a min , come to find out my toat need to be updated and i need to stop using cheap blanks

 

[Artful Dodger]

If you have AppleCare time to make a call since you can't get anything to burn. Did you check the last disc you burned and how was it? Also what was the last program you used prior to this problem starting?

 

[e.m.]

i had the smae problem in my g4 powermacfor a min , come to find out my toat need to be updated and i need to stop using cheap blanks

toat?

it can't be the blanks becase they're the same ones (CD/DVD) I've been using forever. I always buy in packets of 100ish.

Do any of you think reinstalling the OS could possibly fix it?

 

[e.m.]

If you have AppleCare time to make a call since you can't get anything to burn. Did you check the last disc you burned and how was it? Also what was the last program you used prior to this problem starting?

All the discs I've attempted to burn remain to be blank discs. I can't remember what the last program I used was. Most likely disk utility, but not sure.

On a positive note, I just checked how many days I have remaining on my AppleCare, and I have 11 more days! I wonder how long something like this takes to get fixed. It's the only computer I own...

 

[840quadra]

toat?

it can't be the blanks becase they're the same ones (CD/DVD) I've been using forever. I always buy in packets of 100ish.

Do any of you think reinstalling the OS could possibly fix it?

I think he means "Toast", a CD burning program for OS X.

Doing a fresh install of your OS may fix the issue, but it is no guarantee. If you can, try an other disk (borrow one from a friend or buy a new package) just to see if it starts to work again.

Can you check this for us?

1. Open Apple System profiler, (Click Apple top left of screen, Click "More Info". Or in Tiger, Spotlight "System Profiler"),

2. Click on "Disk Burning" (on the left side of the profiler screen).

3. The output should be similar to this if OS X is seeing the drive as being writable.

Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)

Let us know what you find.

 

[Nikore]

I had a problem simular to this, I fixed my problem by reseting the PRAM. You should try that maybe it would fix for you too.

Hello. I have an eMac with a superdrive running 10.3.9. All of a sudden, the superdrive won't burn any discs (cd/dvd) no matter what the content/format may be (audio cd, movie dvd, data cd/dvd)...

I have run the Hardware Test CD, and it tells me I have no hardware problems. However, I didn't see on there that it tests any optical drives, so I don't know if it actually tested my superdrive.. I have also repaired permissions from the Panther install disc, and it still won't burn anything.

Do any of you have any idea if this problem is fixable (i.e. maybe a reinstall of the OS, if it isn't a hardware problem)? Or do you think that the drive itself is more likely defunct?

Thanks for your help.

e.m.

 

[840quadra]

I had a problem simular to this, I fixed my problem by reseting the PRAM. You should try that maybe it would fix for you too.

He can try that, but if the issue is listed in System profiler as being not supported, that information is not stored in the PRAM, I think your issue was a coincidence.


E.M
Are you fully up to date on your software updates?

 

[Artful Dodger]

840quadra
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikore
I had a problem simular to this, I fixed my problem by reseting the PRAM. You should try that maybe it would fix for you too.


He can try that, but if the issue is listed in System profiler as being not supported, that information is not stored in the PRAM, I think your issue was a coincidence.


E.M
Are you fully up to date on your software updates?

Beat me to that Q I didn't even think of asking about Toast since that toat threw me off If your all up to date then call Apple before your AppleCare ends. the turn around time is very good for repairs as most people say 3-5 days. Good luck.

One more Q, how old is your eMac and how many cd/dvds have you burned (ruff est. is fine). Some have said that the older drives get about 200-500 burns before trouble starts.

 

[e.m.]

I think he means "Toast", a CD burning program for OS X.

Doing a fresh install of your OS may fix the issue, but it is no guarantee. If you can, try an other disk (borrow one from a friend or buy a new package) just to see if it starts to work again.

Can you check this for us?

1. Open Apple System profiler, (Click Apple top left of screen, Click "More Info". Or in Tiger, Spotlight "System Profiler"),

2. Click on "Disk Burning" (on the left side of the profiler screen).

3. The output should be similar to this if OS X is seeing the drive as being writable.

Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)

Let us know what you find.

Wow. I go to sleep, then to work, and now all this help! Thanks to all.

There wasn't a "Disk Burning" section, but my System Profiler does tell me it supports burning (see attachment).

I've tried a couple different discs (both CD and DVD) that my roommate had, and it still doesn't work. Hmm...

 

[e.m.]

I had a problem simular to this, I fixed my problem by reseting the PRAM. You should try that maybe it would fix for you too.

What exactly is PRAM? How do I reset it? I want to try it to see if it would help..

 

[e.m.]

He can try that, but if the issue is listed in System profiler as being not supported, that information is not stored in the PRAM, I think your issue was a coincidence.


E.M
Are you fully up to date on your software updates?

Sorry to all for my consecutive posts.. I don't know how to quote multiple quotes from multiple posters in one reply.

To answer your question, yes, I am all up to date on my software updates, except for all the stuff I don't need. For example, I don't own an ipod or isight, so I haven't installed the updates for those. As far as OS updates, security updates, etc, I am all up to date.

 

[e.m.]

Beat me to that Q I didn't even think of asking about Toast since that toat threw me off If your all up to date then call Apple before your AppleCare ends. the turn around time is very good for repairs as most people say 3-5 days. Good luck.

One more Q, how old is your eMac and how many cd/dvds have you burned (ruff est. is fine). Some have said that the older drives get about 200-500 burns before trouble starts.

3 to 5 days? That's alot shorter than I expected.

I've owned my eMac for almost three full years. That's why I was surprised to find out I still had a little time left on my Applecare. I thought it'd been more than three years. I have no idea how many discs I have burned with my eMac, but in between 200 and 500 sounds right.

 

[Artful Dodger]

My eMac is 2.5 yrs. old and the SD has been fine but the eMacs that were made just after mine and yours (if not let me know) were Pioneer drives and have better components than the older drives do. Try what the others have said as it's always good to be sure of the easier things that Apple may ask if you tried yet. Good luck

 

[e.m.]

Hey all. A quick update. I just called AppleCare, and they told me to send it in to get it fixed. So that's what's going to happen. Good thing I have AppleCare (especially because I kinda assumed my AppleCare had already expired when this problem started). Thanks to all here for your help, and I'll post back when I get my eMac back. Until then.

 

[e.m.]

okay. so i have my computer back, for now.

four days after i brought it in, i get a call that the repair is done. i pick it up, only to find out my airport card that had been in there is now gone. so i brought it back last night, and the guy tells me that the airport card won't fit because when they replaced my drive, they didn't screw in the logic board properly (not tight enough?). so i had to leave it overnight again. i just went and got it, and now the casing (right smack in the front upper right) is cracked... they ordered a new part and told me they'll call me once they get it so they can replace the casing... geez. do i just have bad luck, or what?

oh yeah, the eMac seems to be working though.

 

[California]

okay. so i have my computer back, for now.

four days after i brought it in, i get a call that the repair is done. i pick it up, only to find out my airport card that had been in there is now gone. so i brought it back last night, and the guy tells me that the airport card won't fit because when they replaced my drive, they didn't screw in the logic board properly (not tight enough?). so i had to leave it overnight again. i just went and got it, and now the casing (right smack in the front upper right) is cracked... they ordered a new part and told me they'll call me once they get it so they can replace the casing... geez. do i just have bad luck, or what?

oh yeah, the eMac seems to be working though.

I would not take it in to these "repair" people again. I would also fastidiously document their work, as in write it all down and keep receipts, as if there is any problem with this work it still comes in under yourApple Care. I would also make a call to Apple and explain this shoddy workmanship, and that you are concerned that they cracked your case and could not fit the Airport card back in because the logic board was not screwed in right? That is insane. Really insane. Also a rip off if they weren't going to tell you about the 'missing" airport card. Don't patronize these guys again, please. And bust them while you are at it. It's your money and your 'puter.

 

[e.m.]

I would not take it in to these "repair" people again. I would also fastidiously document their work, as in write it all down and keep receipts, as if there is any problem with this work it still comes in under yourApple Care. I would also make a call to Apple and explain this shoddy workmanship, and that you are concerned that they cracked your case and could not fit the Airport card back in because the logic board was not screwed in right? That is insane. Really insane. Also a rip off if they weren't going to tell you about the 'missing" airport card. Don't patronize these guys again, please. And bust them while you are at it. It's your money and your 'puter.

yeah, something even worse has happened. now my screen flickers like crazy: horizantal lines moving vertically, and just a lot of flickering where it's definitely not usable (i'm typing this from another computer at a friend's). there's also this noise, kinda like a woodpecker, that's in sync with the screen flickering...

it's starting to be a little funny. i mean, my eMac was perfect, just needed a new superdrive. now, the screen isn't usable, makes crazy noise, and the casing is cracked!

i called applecare and they told me to send it to a different repair site. i feel like they're just trying to push me around.. i've already filed a complaint with apple customer care, and all they told me is that they'll look into the matter, but won't probably contact me. what kind of customer service is that?

sorry to vent.

 

[jamesW135]

Call apple they could replace it.

 

[Artful Dodger]

jamesW135
Call apple they could replace it.

e.m.
Just what he said and that doesn't sound like a good place at all, good luck.

 

[e.m.]

Hey all. Just to report my eMac has come back, and this time around, it seems to be working fine... It makes me reconsider getting AppleCare for my future purchases, though.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Artful Dodger]

Glad to hear it worked out for you. Even with a few days to spare