imac g4 dvd burner problem...HELP!

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PowerBook G4 1.33ghz 768ram, iMac G4 1.0ghz 1gb 80gb 10.4.11, iMac G3 450mhz 256 20gb 10.4.11 9.2.2
I have an imac g4 with a superdrive. I've been trying to burn a dvd for the past hour and I can't figure out why it won't let me. It won't even let me get past the first step. When I put the blank dvd in the drive, the computer tries reading it for about 15 seconds, won't recognize it and then spits it out! It plays dvds and cds just fine and burns cds. But it wont even try to burn a dvd! I know it should because it is a superdrive. This is very frustrating! Does anybody know what the problem might be?
Here's what the system profiler says about the drive:
PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-105:

Firmware Revision: A506
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2000 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: No
 
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You are using DVD-R or RW and not +R? If so maybe the quality of the media is the problem. Always use Verbatim and never made a drink coaster yet (touches wood).

Also, maybe the superdive has seen better days as it is quite an old model. Have read some reports of all brands failing after about 200-300 burns.
 
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Here's what the system profiler says about the drive: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-105:

Been there, done that, had to replace my external optical drive.

The 105 is an old drive in today's terms and simply doesn't cope with modern disk media. I warmly recommend an upgrade to the Pioneer 115D. It isn't expensive and you can probably install it yourself. Don't throw away that old 105 - it will play CDs as an external drive for years to come, but you'll need to purchase an IDE(ATA)-USB adaptor kit (about US$15).

In addition to Harry's disk brand recommendation, I've had good experience with the following: Fuji, Imation, Ricoh and TDK.
 
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macdreamer08
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Would there be any way to get a new internal dvd burner? I'd really hate to have to get an external one. I don't really want to have a tacky external drive sitting on my desk. It would ruin the aesthetics of having an imac. Sounds crazy I know. But is there any way to get a new internal superdrive for the g4?
Edit:
Oh, and I was also wondering why it pops out the blank dvd and dosen't even attempt to show it in finder? Just really sucks because I just bought a bunch of blank dvds and I can't even use them. Having buyers remorse over these dvds.lol
Thanks.
 
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The quality of the media can mean a lot with older drives. What brand did you purchase?
 
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Would there be any way to get a new internal dvd burner? ... But is there any way to get a new internal superdrive for the g4? ... I was also wondering why it pops out the blank dvd and doesn't even attempt to show it in finder?

In order of the questions you've asked ... yes, there is a way, and yes, a new optical drive would fit into your G4. The reason the disks pop out is because the burner can't read the media you're using. A modern optical drive will read just about anything, but as Harry suggests, don't buy the "cheapies", 'cos you get what you pay for.

Do you feel confident to put a new optical drive in yourself? In addition to the link Harry has supplied (which you need to read thoroughly - great pics), here's another useful resource: http://www.baconeggs.co.uk/manuals/index.htm Click the iMac G4 link for a .pdf file.
 
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macdreamer08
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As asked were they cheapies from a supermarket/warehouse?

I thought it would be a good brand. It's Maxell brand dvd+r. cost about 15.00 for a pack of 25.
 

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