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    Is my superdrive normal?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by happyprozak, Nov 16, 2008.

  1. happyprozak

    happyprozak Notebook Geek

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    Well I've been having some problems with my late 08 macbook pro's superdrive. I insert a dvd backup (made on a dual layer dvd) and sometimes it will read it and sometimes it'll spit it out after attemping to read it for 10-15 seconds. If it does read it, it'll probably take 10-15 seconds for it to recognize the disc and in the course of this time it'll play a 3 tone musical sounds. The sound is clearly coming from the superdrive.

    If I insert the commercial dvd it'll read very quickly and no musical sound gets played.

    Now if I connect an external dvd drive, it'll read my dual layer discs no problem so this issue is clearly related to the superdrive and not the mac os x.

    Are the superdrives this bad? Or is there something wrong with mine? Also, will I have better luck with these discs if I burn them using the mac? And if so, will it matter if I burn them with the super drive or my external drive?
     
    happyprozak, Nov 16, 2008
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  2. Paul

    Paul Mom! Hot Pockets! NBR Reviewer

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    Sometimes drives have issues with rewritable media, especially DVD+/-R/W. It's likely that the SuperDrive in the Mac just doesn't like the brand of disc you used and is trying to read it, but can't very easily. What brand disc are you using?
     
    Paul, Nov 16, 2008
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  3. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    this isn't even a problem exclusive to superdrives- a ton of DVD drives have problems with certain brands of media. its very likely as paul said that your superdrive is just having trouble with the brand of media you have.
     
    masterchef341, Nov 16, 2008
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  4. happyprozak

    happyprozak Notebook Geek

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    Hey thanks for the reply guys. People seemed to be stumped on the 3 tone musical beeps so I'm going to give applecare a call.

    As far as media, I've tried two dual layer brands. One is a verbatim dual layer disc. These were the discs that were considered the best at the time, not the ones from their new factory which people seem to hate. The second brand is the memorex brand. I bought them because they were cheap. The macbook pro seems to prefer the memorex brand for sure but it's still not that great.

    I have three drives to try this with. One in a toshiba laptop and an external lg and an external lite-on blu-ray and the third is an internal drive in a toshiba laptop. None of these drives have any trouble reading any of the discs I throw at it. I love my macbook pro but I really feel like this is a cheap drive
     
    happyprozak, Nov 16, 2008
    #4