Macbook Pro thinks I'm inserting blank DVDs

benjamin163 · benjamin163 #1 (**permalink**)

08-27-2012, 06:31 AM

I have many old pictures stored on DVDs.
I have successfully retrieved them from these DVDs for a number of years.
However, I inserted one today and my Macbook Pro told me it was a blank disk.
I inserted all the other and got the same message.
They certainly aren't blank.
I'm wondering what could have happened.
I don't know if the fact that I upgraded to 10.6.8 about three months ago is significant.
Other than that I don't know what to think.
Is it just a fault with the player?
Am I doing something ridiculously stupid?
Any help gratefully received.

Raz0rEdge · Raz0rEdge #2 (**permalink**)

08-27-2012, 07:12 AM

Does it recognize commercial CD/DVDs? If it doesn't recognize those either, depending on the age of the MBP, the optical drive might have failed and you'll have to replace it..

MrBobb · MrBobb #3 (**permalink**)

08-27-2012, 04:07 PM

If ur lucky, its just needs a cleaning, one of those disc cleaner with tiny brushes maybe? Other sounds like a drive replacement is in order.

benjamin163 · benjamin163 #4 (**permalink**)

08-28-2012, 04:59 PM

Thank you for your replies.
I just tried City of God in there and it works.
Although my partner says she has tried plenty of CDs that don't work.
Sounds like it may need a clean?
Although I'm wondering why it reads City of God but not my DVD's with photos on.
Worried!

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #5 (**permalink**)

08-28-2012, 05:02 PM

Is City of god a DVD or CD?

benjamin163 · benjamin163 #6 (**permalink**)

08-29-2012, 03:06 PM

Thanks for sticking with this.
It's a dvd.
My photos are on DVD and CD and neither are working. Computer thinks they are blank.
It has trouble reading lots of music CDs.
I have just tried a number of DVDs which worked fine, 1 music CD which the computer spat out, 4 blank DVDs with photos on. Three weren't read (one of those is still in the computer and wont come out) and one DVD with a film I burnt onto it ages ago which again wasn't read.
I guess it's safe to say it's having trouble with DVD disks that are old, and a few music CDs which can be new.
Maybe I should try cleaning it as suggested?

Raz0rEdge · Raz0rEdge #7 (**permalink**)

08-30-2012, 07:41 AM

Cleaning is probably the cheapest thing you an try and if that doesn't work, a new optical drive is your only recourse..

MrBobb · MrBobb #8 (**permalink**)

08-30-2012, 10:13 PM

Your photos? that sounds like a home-burn disc. So once upon a time they made a 3-laser drive to deal with the different disc formulations. So maybe one of the laser has gone bad/dark. Stick your vacuum cleaner's sucker by the door.

benjamin163 · benjamin163 #9 (**permalink**)

08-31-2012, 05:53 PM

I bought a cleaner and it certainly helped. It now recognises there are files on the disk.
But it wont download them to iphoto.
The rainbow of death just keeps spinning.
It's no disaster, I can take the DVDs to another computer and put them on a stick.
But thanks for all the advice. It seems to me the player is a bit old and worn and just isn't reading certain disks any more, especially old ones I burnt.
thanks again for all the help. it's much appreciated and people like you ar why these forums are so damn helpful.

Raz0rEdge #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 17, 2009 Location: MA Posts: 5,845 Mac Specs: 27" i7 iMac with 16GB RAM and 1TB HDD, iPhone 3G & 4, iPod Nano 16GB, iPod Shuffle, iPad 2 16GB WiFi	08-27-2012, 07:12 AM Does it recognize commercial CD/DVDs? If it doesn't recognize those either, depending on the age of the MBP, the optical drive might have failed and you'll have to replace it.. -- Regards ...Ashwin Be sure to read the Community Guidelines \| The more information you provide, the better answers you get, remember GIGO.
	QUOTE Thanks

dtravis7 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,815 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	08-28-2012, 05:02 PM Is City of god a DVD or CD? ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

Raz0rEdge #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 17, 2009 Location: MA Posts: 5,845 Mac Specs: 27" i7 iMac with 16GB RAM and 1TB HDD, iPhone 3G & 4, iPod Nano 16GB, iPod Shuffle, iPad 2 16GB WiFi	08-30-2012, 07:41 AM Cleaning is probably the cheapest thing you an try and if that doesn't work, a new optical drive is your only recourse.. -- Regards ...Ashwin Be sure to read the Community Guidelines \| The more information you provide, the better answers you get, remember GIGO.
	QUOTE Thanks

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Macbook Pro thinks I'm inserting blank DVDs

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benjamin163 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 29, 2009 Posts: 41	08-27-2012, 06:31 AM I have many old pictures stored on DVDs. I have successfully retrieved them from these DVDs for a number of years. However, I inserted one today and my Macbook Pro told me it was a blank disk. I inserted all the other and got the same message. They certainly aren't blank. I'm wondering what could have happened. I don't know if the fact that I upgraded to 10.6.8 about three months ago is significant. Other than that I don't know what to think. Is it just a fault with the player? Am I doing something ridiculously stupid? Any help gratefully received.
	QUOTE Thanks

benjamin163 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 29, 2009 Posts: 41	08-28-2012, 04:59 PM Thank you for your replies. I just tried City of God in there and it works. Although my partner says she has tried plenty of CDs that don't work. Sounds like it may need a clean? Although I'm wondering why it reads City of God but not my DVD's with photos on. Worried!
	QUOTE Thanks

benjamin163 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 29, 2009 Posts: 41	08-29-2012, 03:06 PM Thanks for sticking with this. It's a dvd. My photos are on DVD and CD and neither are working. Computer thinks they are blank. It has trouble reading lots of music CDs. I have just tried a number of DVDs which worked fine, 1 music CD which the computer spat out, 4 blank DVDs with photos on. Three weren't read (one of those is still in the computer and wont come out) and one DVD with a film I burnt onto it ages ago which again wasn't read. I guess it's safe to say it's having trouble with DVD disks that are old, and a few music CDs which can be new. Maybe I should try cleaning it as suggested?
	QUOTE Thanks

MrBobb #8 (permalink)
Member Since: May 20, 2009 Posts: 44	08-30-2012, 10:13 PM Your photos? that sounds like a home-burn disc. So once upon a time they made a 3-laser drive to deal with the different disc formulations. So maybe one of the laser has gone bad/dark. Stick your vacuum cleaner's sucker by the door.
	QUOTE Thanks

benjamin163 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 29, 2009 Posts: 41	08-31-2012, 05:53 PM I bought a cleaner and it certainly helped. It now recognises there are files on the disk. But it wont download them to iphoto. The rainbow of death just keeps spinning. It's no disaster, I can take the DVDs to another computer and put them on a stick. But thanks for all the advice. It seems to me the player is a bit old and worn and just isn't reading certain disks any more, especially old ones I burnt. thanks again for all the help. it's much appreciated and people like you ar why these forums are so damn helpful.
	QUOTE Thanks

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