SONY DVD RW DW-U10A plays cds but not dvds

boscobilly · boscobilly #1 (**permalink**)

12-29-2011, 08:38 PM

The title says it all. It plays all cds I shove in it , but it won't play dvds that I've bought or made. Why does it play only cds?

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #2 (**permalink**)

12-29-2011, 10:29 PM

From the sound of things the superdrive must be in s MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac or Mac Mini. These all use slot loaders which have a very high failure rate alas.

boscobilly · boscobilly #3 (**permalink**)

12-30-2011, 10:28 AM

This dvd player is a tray loader in a powermac G5 1.8 pci.

Kevriano · Kevriano #4 (**permalink**)

12-30-2011, 11:39 AM

CD and DVD use different sized "grooves" for want of a better word, and quite often this happens when the laser is failing, or it may be that it's just dirty.
Blowing air onto the laser lens can clean it, or a disc based cleaner can work (others don't like them, but I have had no issues with them).
I would try cleaning the laser anyway.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #5 (**permalink**)

12-30-2011, 03:41 PM

After Kevriano's suggestion, the superdrive is failing. It is eight years old now. Simple job to install a new DVR in a G5 PowerMac.

chas_m · chas_m #6 (**permalink**)

12-31-2011, 07:48 PM

In fact actually the superdrive uses two DIFFERENT lasers to read CDs and DVDs, and one of the lasers has either failed or is dirty.

But I agree with harryb2448 -- it's not worth futzing with unless a quick dap of compressed air fixes the issue, just replace the thing it's long past its prime and very cheap to replace.

boscobilly #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 25, 2011 Posts: 9	12-29-2011, 08:38 PM The title says it all. It plays all cds I shove in it , but it won't play dvds that I've bought or made. Why does it play only cds? Last edited by boscobilly; 12-29-2011 at 08:45 PM.
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,086 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	12-29-2011, 10:29 PM From the sound of things the superdrive must be in s MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac or Mac Mini. These all use slot loaders which have a very high failure rate alas. *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

Kevriano #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2006 Location: Crawley, England Posts: 4,560 Mac Specs: 20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.	12-30-2011, 11:39 AM CD and DVD use different sized "grooves" for want of a better word, and quite often this happens when the laser is failing, or it may be that it's just dirty. Blowing air onto the laser lens can clean it, or a disc based cleaner can work (others don't like them, but I have had no issues with them). I would try cleaning the laser anyway. Try my custom Mac Forums Search Engine: Mac Forums Google Search Please use the reputation system if you consider any help given useful (it's the little ✓/✘ on the left <---)
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,086 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	12-30-2011, 03:41 PM After Kevriano's suggestion, the superdrive is failing. It is eight years old now. Simple job to install a new DVR in a G5 PowerMac. *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

chas_m #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,700 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	12-31-2011, 07:48 PM In fact actually the superdrive uses two DIFFERENT lasers to read CDs and DVDs, and one of the lasers has either failed or is dirty. But I agree with harryb2448 -- it's not worth futzing with unless a quick dap of compressed air fixes the issue, just replace the thing it's long past its prime and very cheap to replace. Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

SONY DVD RW DW-U10A plays cds but not dvds

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