Problem: Superdrive burns CDs not DVDs

[c23roo]

Please help! I have searched the forums for help and can't seem to get my Superdrive to burn to DVD.

I'm working on a PowerMac 4 x 2.5 GHz G5, with 2.5 GB of RAM. The drive is the Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-110D. I was trying to back up about 15,000 pictures from iPhoto, and was successful in burning some smaller photo albums to CD, but was unable to dump a larger number of pictures to a DVD.

I can get a DVD into the machine, it spins; it will play movies; it will read that there's a blank disc in the machine. It will tell me when I have selected enough pictures to fill the DVD - but I get a failed burn error when I try to clik 'burn disc.'

Incidentally, I have tried a few different kinds of DVDs in the machine, but was only successful one time. Tried that brand again to no avail. To sum up: Couldn't burn to DVD - tried different kinds - was successful once - haven't been able to do so since.

Any ideas? Thanks for helping!

-roo

[PYR0M310N]

have you tried doing it through a burn folder?

if not select the actual photo files and put them into a burn folder (right click>burn folder) then once they are all in there, press burn!

[i.Feature]

I'm currently experiencing the same problem and apparently it is quite common. I've tried most of the recommended fixes which include:

• Changing media (some dvds just don't work as well)
• Burning at a slower speed
• Burning with toast, burning with OSX
• Flashing the PRAM, Restart holding option + apple + p + r

I'm about to try using a lens cleaner which has also apparently worked for some. I'll let you know. After that i have no idea. Anyone else have suggestions?

[aquajet]

Sounds broken to me. Call Applecare if you're still covered.

[c23roo]

I have tried different media before - and I have tried burning at different speeds. But thanks for the ideas.

I tried making a burn folder, but I keep getting a 'insert blank disc to begin' message - after I've already inserted blank disc...

So I went to disc utility to see what I could see - and when I pull up the info on the disc Ive just inserted, it says the disc isn't writeable. Now this is a DVD right out of the case, never been used before... Could this be my problem? How do I unlock the DVD so I can write to it? Or do I even have to do this?

Thanks again for your help...

[bousozoku]

Is this the original SuperDrive or did you just go buy something and exchange the two? If you've just put something in there that didn't belong, you might need a firmware update to make it work.

What information are you getting in System Profiler? Disc Burning will tell you the capabilities.

[i.Feature]

OK. So i just bought a laser lens cleaner (phillips) ran it and proceded to burn a DVD. It worked and i am on my 5th dvd. Using both media i tested on before. It seems this worked for me. You might want to give it a chance before pronouncing your drive dead as others are. $8 lens cleaner kit.

Good luck!

[c23roo]

I definitely will give the lens cleaner a try... I'm still holding out that this is a quick, fixable problem. At work now so I'll try that tomorrow morning when I get home.

Thanks for your help - and keep the suggestions coming...

By the way, is there a diagnostic I can run to check on the drive itself?

Thx -