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B Gallagher · Nov 18, 2008, 01:54 PM

Hello all,

I've got both a late 2007 MBP, as well as the last-gen PPC PB (see sig for details). I just bought a 2 disc album few days ago, and went to copy it onto my MBP, and it couldn't read it. I had bought a second copy of the album for my dad, so I tried the first disc of that too, and it wouldn't read it. My MBP would read both of the second discs fine. And, strangely enough, my PB could read them all on the first go. I've also had a similar problem with some DVDs I've burnt.

Here's the specs of my MBP's drive. Is there likely to be something wrong with it?

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N:

Firmware Revision: AP09
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO

Ted L. Nancy · Nov 19, 2008, 09:10 PM

When you say it couldn't "read" it, do you mean it recognized the disc but wouldn't rip it (btw, I presume you are ripping with iTunes), or that it wouldn't recognize the disc altogether?

B Gallagher · Nov 20, 2008, 01:41 AM

Good point. I put the disc in, it sounded like it was trying to read it a few times. It never mounted, much less showed up in iTunes, and then was ejected by the drive automatically.

Ted L. Nancy · Nov 20, 2008, 09:59 AM

Well in that case the first suggestion I have is a lame one... make certain the disc is clean, free of scratches, etc.

(Some drives are more sensitive than others.)

Try this: From a computer that does mount the disc properly, burn an exact copy of it. See if your burned copy mounts.

ghporter · Nov 20, 2008, 10:10 AM

What is different about the second disc in the set? Is it something other than a regular CD, like maybe a DVD? If it's a different format, then that could explain it; SuperDrives (like all multi-format drives) use different lasers to read different types of drives, and one of them could have failed.

Ted L. Nancy · Nov 20, 2008, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

What is different about the second disc in the set? Is it something other than a regular CD, like maybe a DVD? If it's a different format, then that could explain it; SuperDrives (like all multi-format drives) use different lasers to read different types of drives, and one of them could have failed.

Good point. If you haven't already, try popping in another disc of the same format of the disc not working and preferably that you are certain had worked before (DVD, CD, whatever). Could verify that issue ghporter is describing.

CharlesS · Nov 20, 2008, 01:56 PM

Try inserting the disc 10-15 times or so and it'll probably eventually read it. Slot-loading drives are like that.

If you have AppleCare, you could get the drive replaced. However, be warned that as soon as you want to demonstrate the problem to the technician, the drive will start working flawlessly. As soon as you take it home again, though, it will go back to the old behavior.

B Gallagher · Nov 20, 2008, 03:18 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone. To answer:

The disc was brand-spanking new. No dust, no scratches - its journey into my two slot-loading drives was the first time it had even been out of the case.

It's Matthew Good's two-disc Live at Massey Hall. Both discs are straight CDs, with no extra content or anything. The only difference is the first CD is 65 minutes long, whereas the second CD is around 45 minutes.

I don't have AppleCare (yet, but I definitely will be getting it!), as the computer's still under its original warranty.

And CharlesS - I just tried loading the CD 15 times on my MBP. I didn't mount or read it a single time. The second disc worked the first time in my MBP, and both discs worked the first time on my PB.

Ted L. Nancy · Nov 20, 2008, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by B Gallagher

Thanks for the replies everyone. To answer:

The disc was brand-spanking new. No dust, no scratches - its journey into my two slot-loading drives was the first time it had even been out of the case.

It's Matthew Good's two-disc Live at Massey Hall. Both discs are straight CDs, with no extra content or anything. The only difference is the first CD is 65 minutes long, whereas the second CD is around 45 minutes.

I don't have AppleCare (yet, but I definitely will be getting it!), as the computer's still under its original warranty.

And CharlesS - I just tried loading the CD 15 times on my MBP. I didn't mount or read it a single time. The second disc worked the first time in my MBP, and both discs worked the first time on my PB.

I'd still try burning a copy to see if it works. Occasionally when discs are produced they have minor imperfections that will affect readability in some players/drives. It will take you 5 minutes and will cost you a $0.05 cdr.

CharlesS · Nov 20, 2008, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by B Gallagher

I don't have AppleCare (yet, but I definitely will be getting it!), as the computer's still under its original warranty.

Go over to an Apple repair shop with a few discs that are doing this, demonstrate it, and have them replace the drive. Your drive is messed up - I've seen plenty of slot-loading drives do this, although usually pushing the disc in over and over eventually makes it read.