Well it is another account that it worked on...on the same computer. However, the other computer that the disks work on 17" G4 PB is a year or two older than my G5 and the Memorex disks have existed since the PB was purchased. I tried the cables but it did not work. I will have to go through a bunch of DVDs and take detailed notes. Perhaps that will help isolate the problem.

I'm just trying to get clear on this problem. So, the media does work on another account on the same computer but not this one? If this is the case, it would have to be something located within this account's Library. What, of course, seems beyond me! I would be looking in Preferences, PreferencePanes or Application Support.

Details, Details, and more DETAILS!
 

So I went through the all the different media I have available on both user accounts to try and isolate the problem. Let me restate my stats: 10.3.7, SP 1.6 G5, 768 mb, Superdrive Pioneer DVR-107D, GeForce FX 5200. My Boss uses a 1Ghz 17" PB w/ 10.2.?

These results are for both MY ACCOUNT and my TESTUSER account:
Maxell DVD-R : Works (Burned on PB)
Apple DVD-R : Works (Burned on PB)
Teon DVD-R 8x : Works (Burned on PB)
Maxell 650mb CD-R : Works (Burned on PB)
Imitation 700mb CD-R : Works (Burned on PB)
Apple Software DVD : Works (Printed DVD)
Adobe Photoshop Elements CD : Works (Printed CD)

Then the problems start:
Memorex DVD-R with data on it burned by the PB comes up as a BLANK dvd and the Finder asks what to do. This happens for both users

Memorex DVD-R (yes they are the exact same media) with data on it burned by ME on the G5 works fine. This happens for both users.

BLANK Memorex DVD-R (same as above) comes up as blank. I am assuming this means it is ok, but since the others come up blank I dont know. This happens for both users.

BLANK Memorex CD-R (black disk) the drive spins, stops, and then does nothing under MY ACCOUNT.
BLANK Memorex CD-R 52x Spins longer than the others but still does nothing under my account.
BLANK Memorex CD-RW does the same thing under my account.
HOWEVEr all the Memorex CD-R/RW's above come up as blank with the finder asking what to do under the TESTUSER account.

Also, all the disks that were burned have been burned with the Finder on either the G5 or the PB. The PB is at least 1.5 - 2yrs old.

So to recap, Memorex DVDs burned by the PB are being read as blank under both users. However I'm 90% sure that they used to work just fine about a month or two ago. The EXACT same Memorex DVDs burned by me on the G5 work fine. Memorex CD-R/RWs that are blank don't work on MY Account, but work on the TESTUSER account. All other DVDs seem to work whether printed or burned (by the PB) as long as they aren't Memorex.

I had a kernel panic about 2 weeks ago, I have had no other problems other than this. I appreciate all the help you guys/gals have given, perhaps this will help zero in on a problem. I checked the Memorex website but there wasn't anything that seemed applicable. There is data on these disks that I need access to. I won't use Memorex in the future but I still need to get at these. THANKS!
dappy

Okay then! It looks like we're dealing with different, but related problems. Let's take them one at a time.

Every CD and/or DVD burner has slightly different power being supplied by the burning laser. The laser burning power can also be effected by dust in the burning drive. Dust in the reading drive can also make a difference. Especially if the burning drive is weak too. Now, the fact that it's only Memorex discs simply indicate that the media is more sensitive to this problem. I do tend to have more successful burns with Memorex than most brands though.

What I would do in this case, with both the PB and this drive, is to use can air to blow out any loose dust in the drive. Then run a CD/DVD cleaning disc (The type with the tiny brushes) three or four times on each drive. This should be sufficient for most drives. If the computer is frequently or always in a dirty environment (smoker? :)), I might end up opening up the drive and manually cleaning the lens with isopropyl alcohol and a lint free swab. If you do the later, apply as little pressure as you can and still do the job. It's very easy to throw the lens out of adjustment with too much presure. Remember also that this does void the warranty.

This is a software issue. If changing your setting in the CD/DVD preferences pane doesn't solve it, open the file ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.digihub.plist in TextEdit (or your favorite XML editor), locate the entry that looks similar to this:and remove it. You should then be able to set it again in System Preferences successfully.

Note: You may want to backup this file before changing it. I don't recommend just deleting it because it determines how your computer acts for many things you might connect to your Mac, including USB and Firewire cameras.

Thanks for your help. Changing the preferences worked for the blank discs. I just have to get a CD drive cleaner and see if that fixes my other problem. I appreciate all your help so far :)