Author Topic: Dead superdrive (Read 2206 times)

gmann · « **on:** September 12, 2003, 01:18:20 PM »

Last evening prior to shutting down, I ran Cocktail scripts as is my habit. cron, prebinding, cache cleaning and permission repair.

This morning I attempted to load a Cd. The drive made a bumping sound for about 20 seconds and then mounted a Cd icon. I clicked the icon and 30-40 seconds latter a flag came up stating that I was trying to load an empty disc.

After several more attempts with various CD's with the same results, the superdrive will no longer mount an icon.

I opened the case, got out my trusty vacuum cleaner and paint brush and went completely through the unit. Surprisingly there were very few bunny rabbits in there after 1 1/2 yrs of daily use.

I checked the data leads and the power lead and all were well anchored.

I then went to Apple software page and DL'd the superdrive update, Installation stated it was not needed on this machine. (I think I installed the update quit some time ago)
The drive is a pioneer dvd-rw dvd-r 104.

I think I have a dead SD, but then again it may be a software issue. I would reinstall Jag, but that is not possible without the drive. incidently the drive has had very little use.

Any knowledgable help would be greatly appreciated.

Gary M

933, 10.2.6, 1.25 Gig

ljocampo · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2003, 03:19:08 PM »

Gary:

I don't see where this could be in software because the maintenance routines you preformed shouldn't affect the superdrive. Besides, the IDE controller controls the drive, and its driver software is at the kernal level owned by the root system. If all other I/O functions are working, this problem must be hardware related.

Why don't try a CD and a DVD disk you know to be good in the drive. If they both don't work, chances are it is hardware related.

gmann · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2003, 06:28:18 PM »

Yes I concluded that it had to be hardware. I booted into my backup hardrive and received the same result. I also ran Disk Warrior with negative results. I contacted pioneer and they gave me a fast shuffle stating any action was up to Apple, who stated that it was out of warranty.
Now I need to find a quality replacement for internal installation. I don't need to burn DVD's so what I will be looking for is a CD-rw DVD player. Anything I settle on should be much faster than the pioneer 104 that is in there now. Any ideas on a quality replacement appreciated.

ljocampo · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2003, 06:50:21 PM »

Gary:

I bought and installed the Pioneer 105 (its win/mac, but comes with no mac software). This model 105 replaced your 104 model. It is super quite and runs at 8x DVD. It does of course burn DVDs at 4x, and I know you said you didn't need to do that, but I only paid $288. for it and that was a while back so you might get it even cheaper now. It is the same SD that Apples is using in their new towers.

kelly · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2003, 07:29:31 PM »

The Pioneer DVR-105 can be had for $149.

http://dealmac.com/articles/55651.html

http://dealmac.com/sections/storage.html

You might even consider the newer faster DVR-106.

Check out this of course.

http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/drivedb/sear...h.drivedb.lasso

gmann · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2003, 08:36:14 PM »

Thanks guys. Kelly those dealmac listings had there prices jacked back up. they were both EIDE which I presume to be external cased. I really don't want to get another Pioneer if I can avoid it, once burned, twice warned as the saying goes.

I am going to pull the unit out of the case tomorrow and see if it is repairable.

gmann · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2003, 01:04:06 AM »

Kelly, I pulled the DVR and checked it out thinking a bit of debris may have caused the problem, but it was clean as a whistle. I went ahead and ordered the DVR-105 from the link you supplied. The price was as you stated, I had initially looked at the full package price.

kelly · « **Reply #7 on:** September 13, 2003, 10:20:41 AM »

Yeah Gary. EIDE-ATA or whatever refers to the Internal Setup.

I would order a Pioneer myself. I have the DVR-104 right now.

FWIW. That's pretty much the first one I've heard of failing.

Bill · « **Reply #8 on:** September 13, 2003, 02:19:24 PM »

By Gary M

QUOTE

I don't need to burn DVD's so what I will be looking for is a CD-rw DVD player.

Maybe Kelly would know ... would a lacie/lite-on 52X (or whatever speed) fit/work?
OR something along those lines.
That's if you do want to by pass thinking about replacing the superdrive with another.

News:

Author Topic: Dead superdrive (Read 2206 times)