Getting DVD-RW to work on a 12" Powerbook

Jump to First Reply
imacfanimacfan
Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
The Drive supports it.

The Software supports it.

But Apple for some reason denies us the privilege



Is there a good reason for this?

Is there a workaround?

Has anybody actually got one to work?



Please help\



David

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 14
    aquaticaquatic Posts: 5,602member
    I have gotten many different answers and I believe the final conclusion is that the Matshita SuperDrive is NOT DVD-RW and so not even the "swap out" trick works. Can anyone with a DVD-RW and 12" PB try this?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 14
    moliumoliu Posts: 42member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by iMacfan

    The Drive supports it.

    The Software supports it.

    But Apple for some reason denies us the privilege



    Is there a good reason for this?

    Is there a workaround?

    Has anybody actually got one to work?



    Please help\



    David



    does that mean that all of the superdrives in the G5 and PB will not write to DVD-RW?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 14
    powerdocpowerdoc Posts: 8,123member
    you have to change the firmware. I have see an article about this. I try to find it again.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 14
    stoostoo Posts: 1,490member
    The firmware that the 12" PowerBook Superdrive ships with is D0CB, which does not support DVD-RW burning. Allegedly the 17" firmware is DWDB, which does support DVD-RW burning.



    There is an "updater " to D0CB at http://forum.firmware-flash.com/dl_f...wnload_id=1449, which provides some possibility of a better updater in the future. (edit: warning: this updater might damage your drive).
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 14
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    i did one of the firmware updates a while back, it didn't work for me, but didn't break anything either.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 14
    moliumoliu Posts: 42member
    Isn't it funny that apple claim to have the fastest computer in the world, yet the superdrive that they include to us doesn't even support dvd-rw. Almost all drives out there are rewriteable regardless of the format +/-.



    I have nothing against apple in fact i love them, but i think they should treat us better.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 14
    ast3r3xast3r3x Posts: 5,012member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by moliu

    Isn't it funny that apple claim to have the fastest computer in the world, yet the superdrive that they include to us doesn't even support dvd-rw. Almost all drives out there are rewriteable regardless of the format +/-.



    I have nothing against apple in fact i love them, but i think they should treat us better.





    i dont really see how its funny...or relevant really, i mean DVD-RW ? Speed of computer
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 14
    aquaticaquatic Posts: 5,602member
    Can no one answer yes or no definitively for DVD-RW in the 12" Matshita's SuperDrive?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 9 of 14
    cakecake Posts: 1,010member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Aquatic

    Can no one answer yes or no definitively for DVD-RW in the 12" Matshita's SuperDrive?



    Yes!

    According to this review (Third story down) of the MacResq PB G4 Superdrive upgrade

    Quote:

    I also tested a DVD-RW disc to make sure it was supported - it was.



     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 10 of 14
    aquaticaquatic Posts: 5,602member
    How did that tester burn a DVD-RW with the Matshita UJ 815?



    I'll buy a DVD-RW and see what I can do with it.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 11 of 14
    stoostoo Posts: 1,490member
    This appears to be the situation:



    PowerBook 17": firmware DWDB, burning DVD-RW supported.

    PowerBook 12": firmware DOCB, DVD-RW burning not supported.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 12 of 14
    aquaticaquatic Posts: 5,602member
    yes but is that the permanent situation, there is no way to upgrade the 12" SuperDrive to DVD-RW and faster burning?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 13 of 14
    stoostoo Posts: 1,490member
    Well, if your 12" PowerBook had to get an Applecare Superdrive replacement, that might do it. Or perhaps someone will figure out how to extract the DWDB firmware and create a newer updater.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 14 of 14
    aquaticaquatic Posts: 5,602member
    Does the thing physically burn DVD-RW and double burn speeds or not. And if it does why the hell is Apple doing this!? Why are they "missing the boat" on DVD-RW when they admitted they "missed the boat" on CD-RW.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
Sign In or Register to comment.