[Veltliner]

Dear forum,

I always played my European DVDs on my iMac. --- 20"iMac G5 2.1 Ghz

Now, suddenly, I get the message:

"This computer cannot read this DVD"

My only options are eject or ignore.

I have played these discs before.

Could it be, that, with my regular upgrades, the ability to play European discs was deleted by Apple?

I downloaded the vlan player, same message.

The computer is only 8 months old (I bought it, when the Intel was already out).

I would very much appreciate comments and advice, as my iMac is the only device where I can play my European discs.

[the_glassman]

Any thing to do with this?
DVD Region Codes

[Veltliner]

No, it has nothing to do with the region codes.

If you put a DVD into the superdrive, and the regional code does not match, you will be asked to change the region code. (You can do this only five times, then it will stay that way)

I only play my European DVDs on my iMac, my Amercian DVDs on my TV.

And DVDs I have played before do cannot be read now.

They are in perfect condition without a single scratch.

[Eriamjh]

The computer is only 8 months old (I bought it, when the Intel was already out).

Warranty?

[Veltliner]

I have the standard 1-year warranty.

Do you think there is something wrong with my Superdrive?

Sometimes, when it reads CDs, it makes vibrating noise when you hear the CD spin up.

[Veltliner]

I just checked: my superdrive cannot read ANY DVDs, American DVDs included.

Looks like it's broken.

I had first issues with it with a few CDs, that it could not import. It got stuck in a loop, and I had to forcequit iTunes to get it out of the drive.

[kick52]

try getting those cds with the lens cleaners... they might work.

also, do you smoke?

[Veltliner]

Thanks for replying.

No, I don't smoke.

You think the lens of the SuperDrive could be dirty?

It can read software discs.

[moedog]

I am also having an issue on my imac G4 where it can't read DVDs. It reads CDs fine. This seened to have happened recently.

[Eriamjh]

If it can't boot the restore DVD that came with it, just take it back. Do not try a lens cleaner.

[Veltliner]

Restore DVD? What is this, please?

My SuperDrive can read and burn CDs, but no chance with DVDs. I still got a few months on my warranty left.

But I'm a writer. That means taking all my (highly secret) files off the computer (after burn it on CD) and secure-delete it before I surrender my Mac to the repair shop.

[volcano]

Originally Posted by Veltliner 

Restore DVD? What is this, please?

My SuperDrive can read and burn CDs, but no chance with DVDs. I still got a few months on my warranty left.

But I'm a writer. That means taking all my (highly secret) files off the computer (after burn it on CD) and secure-delete it before I surrender my Mac to the repair shop.

Restore DVD: the installation DVD that includes Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. If it cannot read this DVD, take it to an Apple Store and have a Genius diagnose the problem.

[Veltliner]

Thanks, volcano.

Now I have the test to see, if the SuperDrive is bad, or not.

[Veltliner]

I'm so frustrated with my SuperDrive.

It never works.

Now I put in a CD-R, I get a window where I have to choose which application to open - I choose disc utility.

Disc utility opens, but the CD-R does not show up on the desktop, nor in disc utility.

I did an erase before, and it was visible then. Now it became invisible.

[Veltliner]

I went through all the menus in System preferences and finder preferences.

The disc does not even show up in disc utility.