Problem Loading DVDs
thornysarus (926 pencils) | Mon, 2007-06-04 20:55I have an external LaCie DVD R/RW that has all of a sudden stopped reading DVDs. Searching online, I've read where some have had similar problems after upgrading to Mac OS 10.4.9.
LaCie isn't offering much in the way of support, so I thought I'd post here and see if anyone has had similar issues.
Again, my CDs are loading perfectly every time. It's only with DVD media I'm having problems.
Much thanks in advance.
Terry
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
You could need a ROM flash. . . or your drivers need updating in OS X. you can try googling the drive specs and see if anybody has a link to an update. Usually 10.4.9 can break stuff. . .
go here: macintouch.com and do a search. They usually have people with experiences of upgrading to the latest version and having problems. . .
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
I did run LaCie's Firmware Upgrade tool and it reported that I was up-to-date.
ROM Flash? What's that?
I've written to Lacie's Support Team and have yet to hear back.
Thanks for your input.
Terrell Thornhill
e-zign Design Group
Sometimes people post 'hacks' to the firmware of their DVD drives. This enables them to change the factory settings of the drive so that it can work on non standard hardware, i.e a new DVD burner can run on an older G4 or G3. . . i have never done it because the main precaution is that if you apply it you cannot revert to an older state and if something goes wrong you will basically end up with a large paperweight. . .I'm not sure if its still called ROM flash but its the same idea, you're messing with the actual programming language of the Drives innards. . . scary! lol
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
LaCie's Tech Support delivered the following guidance over the course of 4 days of chatting through emails delivered through their web-based "help" system (and I'm paraphrasing):
"Run the update tool. If that doesn't fix it, buy a new one."
I've had great success with LaCie, but am now considering another brand.
Any recommendations for a good burner?
Terrell Thornhill
e-zign Design Group
I had a similar problem with my LaCie about a year and a half ago. For that reason, I pulled the plug and figured I was out one formerly good drive. When I reorganized my office a few moths ago, I forgot, and pulled it in the way it used to be. It worked fine, and still does. I think it was evil spirits.
Mara
I think the technical term for this anomaly is "Gremlins." :)
Who knows.
Yesterday, I took the drive apart, piece by piece, cleaning each one, making sure it was dust-free, smudge-free, and the lenses were clean. Lubricated the moving parts, put it all back together, erased and reinstalled the latest firmware, with no change.
It still reads and burns CD-Rs just fine. It just doesn't like DVDs anymore.
Maybe it's just waiting for me to rearrange my office? :)
Terrell Thornhill
e-zign Design Group