No Help from Mac store techs
 

I discovered that I had this problem a couple of months ago and after cleaning both drives and trying the Language trick I was still unable to burn dvds. I called apple care and the were unable to help and suggested that I take the computer to a Mac store. I did this and the Tech called to tell me that at the store the drives burnt dvds with no issues. Still, I was disappointed when I returned home with the computer and neither of the drives would burn and I got the same laser cal. error. I will be calling apple care again tomorrow and I will let you all know if I make a break through.

Because I know it will be mentioned. The dvds I am using have worked many times in the past on this same machine and I have tried dozens of them since the onset of this problem.

If anyone has thoughts on the matter or if I have missed any possible solutions, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks.

Also, I would like to point out that in my case I am not trying to burn DL DVDs, just regular 4.7GB Single Layer Disks.

That doesn't particularly matter. Perhaps you've got a bad batch, perhaps the company whose name is on the DVDs changed their source. Whatever the reason, try a different brand of DVD media.

Trevor

Worked for me
 

Just wanted to join up so I could chime in. I just tried the date fix, and it worked. It only worked with US English selected. First time I just chose English, and it still failed. Don't know why it works, don't really care, just wanted to say it worked for me. Thanks for the help ya'll!

Bought Verbatim DVD-R and the problem persists after several attempts on both super drives. I think we can rule out the type of Media at this time.

The other disks I have used were Memorex. I was previously able to burn these disks.

I'm repeating what I have said before, but this thread is becoming so long that I think it bears repeating. I strongly suspect that the error message may be given under a number of different circumstances, which is why some fixes work for some and not for others. I am disappointed that a problem which seems to have affected so many users hasn't drawn much comment from Apple. A more intuitive or explanatory message for the various conditions (if my assumption is correct) would help immensely.

Joe VanZandt

Applecare no help yet
 

JDV, I agree this is very upsetting.

I have just finished a call to applecare and I was told to upgrade from 10.5.4 to 10.5.6 and to install any java, security, and firmware updates.

I have completed all of these tasks and the problem persists. I tried burning with both Memorex DVD-Rs and Verbatim DVD-Rs on both super drives.

Calling Applecare back now.

Its repair time
 

Ok, Every one at Apple is stumped so they are going to send a repair tech to replace some of the components including, the super drives and the Power supply. I'll keep you posted as I learn more.

Working again after cleaning
 

I also had the "device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media" and the fix did nothing for me.

Just got my drive working after using air duster and a cd lens cleaner. Both cd's and dvd's can be burned again.


Thomas

Repair scheduled for Monday. We'll see what happens.

Also, I thought that I would mention that on my last call to Applecare they representative had me do the Language change fix. I don't know if this means this is a legit fix or perhaps these guys are just reading these forums to find answers. I had not been instructed to do this on previous calls.

hmm ithink i'll give them a call too, but i no longer have apple care so it will probably cost me a lot if i send for repair. Though i will try the compressed air thing first

I like the idea that different fixes work for different systems and circumstances. After working all day to resolve the problem of not being able to burn to DVD, I realized I was using DVD+R. So I tried the DVD-R instead and the burn went so fast and flawlessly I thought I was seeing things. This was also after I had spent all that time trying out different DVD lens cleaners, running them over and over again. I'm using an iMac 5.5 with 2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 gig ram, burning DVDs using iDVD 7.0

Problem Solved
 

I have just successfully burned two dvds.

I had both drives and the power cable between the drives and the motherboard replaced. I wish that I had a cheaper solution for those of you without applecare coverage but in my case this is what was needed. As you can see from my previous posts, All other options had been looked at to solve this problem before I got to this point.

Both the drives and the power cable were swapped at the same time so I can not say for sure that it was one or the other. However, for those still dealing with this issue I would recommend replacing the power cable first before shelling out the money for new drives. At this point I feel comfortable recommending the following steps for resolving this issue.

1. Clean the drives with a lens cleaner and compressed air.
2. Buy a new batch of dvds in case the ones you are using are flawed. Verbatim DVD-Rs are very reliable and I know that they have worked for many others.
3. Try the language change trick listed earlier in this thread
4. Create a new user account and try burning from there to eliminate the possibility of a software or settings conflict.
5. Replace the power cable for the DVD drives.
6. Replace the Drives themselves.

I can't think of any other steps and I don't know if there is anything left to do if none of these options works for you. I think that this is about as far as I can go in investigating this issue. If anyone has questions regarding my experiences please ask.

I'm very pleased that you are back to working properly, but a bit unhappy that the Apple tech people didn't try to isolate a cause. Replacing the drive cable and both drives is pretty radical surgery by most standards, and it does nothing to shed light on the problem as it is reported in so many posts. Still, it is good that they have yours working properly!

Joe VanZandt

I never gave up, found this hint in here, figured I had nothing else to lose as it was 2am, and voila! It worked and saved me from certain embarrassment!
Teh skeptics had me wondering as well. But I tried anyway.
I've been on macs for a while, and while I've never been a power user, I've seen a lot of weird fixes but NOTHING like this.

Who ever came up with this is a genius!

Worked for me
 

I know there is some question about new members just joining to verify this solution, but I have to say, it absolutely worked for me. I'm handy with a Mac but far from a guru. The fix seemed harmless enough so I attempted it with nothing to lose, restarted and successfully burned a CD. Don't know why it worked, but it did.

Thanks.

language did not fix it
 

okay so I have been looking at this thread for hours trying to figure something out with it. I tried the language settings... nothing. Tried repairing permissions... nothing. Tried all different speeds and not having the disk verified after... nothing. So finally i just decided to play the img file on my computer... let it play for about 10 sec and then paused it. Went back to the disk utility and tried to burn the dvd. and sure enough it worked. I have burned about 10 dvds before this and they went flawlessly so this is the first time I tried something like this.

Worked with new (Spring 2009) Mac mini
 

As a forum lurker until now, this thread has me jumping in. Posting another success with some details:

I have been seeing this same error, with a new Mac Mini (Spring 2009) and Memorex DVD+R DL (8x, 8.5GB) media. After making a couple of coaster dvd's, I found this thread, tried the steps posted by landrick and successfully burned a dual layer image.

FYI, I did not have to log out or restart.

Great forum, great forum users!

Ok, so here it is. I did what the questionable fix said and in all honesty it worked. Finder was not burning, got the said error message. Toast was also being funky, I applied the fix, and was able to burn from finder. I did however try burning at a slower speed, so perhaps that had something to do with it, that or the reset.

but it works now, so next is to see if it must be repeated before each burn.

I used my real name so as to make sure you all understand that I am a real person, who actually experienced this problem.

Strange, I am also going to get a cleaner disk tomorrow.

Ok I went back and restarted again, used different media. Now toast worked on a different manufacturer of DVD-R. But didnt work again with the disks I encountered the problem with in the first place. The fix which was suspect worked, but to be honest I think that the shifting of burn speeds and the change in media made the real difference...... still pissed about why I had to do that but memories of a glass of whiskey carelessly poured into my brand new macbook could be the cause.

You do not need to repeat it for ever burn that is just BS... Disk was burned from finder after a restart, and a second disk was burned in toast 9 after a change in media and a restart..... I still think the problem lies in the lens. Main thing which is suspect with this fix.......all of the "people" who say it works have 8 letters to their handles.... Ironhead, Mikey-San, Landrick.....

:-)

Change media (i.e use a different brand of disk) restart the computer, burn at a slower speed. This is what made my Macbook pro 2.53ghz core2 duo 4gig ram 10.5.6 beast start burning again. Worked in finder and in Toast 9.

I will also use a lens cleaner tomorrow.

Cheers