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    Superdrive UJ-845E

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by lupin..the..3rd, Jul 29, 2007.

  1. lupin..the..3rd

    lupin..the..3rd Notebook Evangelist

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    Just bought a Superdrive model UJ-845E for my iBook G4. Works great, burns CD's and DVD's just fine.

    I'm trying to determine if it can burn DL discs. A google search gave conflicting information and old results from 2006. Supposedly the hardware is DL capable but Apple disabled DL burning support via firmware for this model.

    Anyone have any more info on this subject? This seems like a common Superdrive model so surely others here are using it...
     
    lupin..the..3rd, Jul 29, 2007
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  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Is it an Apple part or just the generic drive?
     
    ZaZ, Jul 29, 2007
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  3. Starlight

    Starlight Notebook Evangelist

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    My MBP optical drive is a Mat****a UJ-857D (from System Profiler) - with the similarities in model numbers I'd conclude either his is also a Mat****a OR the model numbering comes from Apple. Either way, the drive itself is a third-party brand yes.

    ...that's annoying. My post was censored. That's supposed to be "M a t * * * * a" under the stars above :p
     
    Starlight, Jul 29, 2007
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  4. Xander

    Xander Paranoid Android

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    You should be able to check in System Profiler --> Hardware --> Disc Burning. It should say "DL" under DVD-Write if Dual Layer is supported.
     
    Xander, Jul 29, 2007
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  5. lupin..the..3rd

    lupin..the..3rd Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, mine is also a Mat****a brand.

    I bought it here: http://www.ifixit.com/PowerBook-Parts/PowerBook-G4-8x-SuperDrive-New/IF153-092

    It says it's an "Apple logo drive", and also that it is DL write capable.

    System Prefs -> Disc Burning lists DVD -R +R -RW +RW but does not say DL.

    Again, a google search indicates some controversy around this drive, because apparently, the Apple logo UJ-845E has DL support disabled in firmware, but the generic UJ-845E as installed in other non-Apple laptops has DL write capability.

    So what I'm trying to determine is if there's some work-around or firmware hack or something that can enable DL write support for this drive. Again, the google search results I found that discussed this controversy were all from 2006...
     
    lupin..the..3rd, Jul 29, 2007
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  6. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    We sensor Mat****a not because we want to, but because the software isn't refined enough for us to allow it in one situation, but not in another.

    I would suggest putting in a DL disc and seeing if it works. It'll cost you $2 to find out one way or the other.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 30, 2007
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