How to Resolve sense key = MEDIUM ERROR on MacBook Pro April 8, 2008
Posted by asimag in MacBook Pro, OS X Leopard.trackback
Update: July 2009
I have moved this Blog to new Address:
http://macandmobile.blogspot.com/
Please post comments on new Blog. I will disable further comments on this blog.
Thank you
Asim
After 9 months of purchasing my MacBook Pro I was faced with Error while burning my CDs. Toast reported sense key = MEDIUM ERROR and eject CD. I google the error and was surprised to see so many users are having this error. Some were blaming to cheap CDs while others recommended to repair permissions or re-install OS.
I continue to face error on some cds while some burn fine. I concluded that it may be defective cds but when I used same cd on my external writer they burn fine. On 12 months my burner finally gave up and now it was not burning any type of CD/DVD.
I went to shop purchased Philips CD Cleaner which had two brushed on it. Inserted it into my dvd drive. Instructions played to choose track no. 14 for cleaning. I did as instructed and WOW my dvd burner was functional. I have burnt quite a few CD with no problem at all.
I’m having the same issue with my macbook pro that I purchase about 10 months ago. It’s an Intel Dual core 10.4.11 build. I’ve heard a lot of bs about this being an issue with the type of discs, or the processing speed being too slow. I have Verbatim top quality medium, along with the 2.4 Ghz processors, so it’s def. not that. I’m going to try using a disc cleaner, your post was really helpful, thanks.
Yes I agree , Many thanks for this obvious tip! Ive had my Mpro for 8 months and its obvious to me now that Your right the Laser just needs a Clean, and then will work fine
I will Post this around the net cheers, Many people are stumped by this error! Why Da hell dont software just say, “CLEAN HEADS PLZ”
Experiencing the exact same problem when burning DL DVD’s. I wasn’t able to burn Memorex, or whatever the brand is called. I’ve read lots of posts advising to use Verbatim instead.
It solved my problem back then,
Right now (2 months after burning my last DL) I’m experiencing the same errors. No problems when burning CD’s or DVD’s, but Verbatim DL DVD’s won’t burn anymore.
My last hope is cleaning the lens…
Thanks for your post.
njrsukyskxuyqffhwell, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch
You safed my “maclive”
i was in trouble about that problem and a simple cleaning disc (which was since 10 Jears in my cd-board) helped like you said in your post.
Thank you!
Here’s another lens cleaning success story. My drive started refusing to burn CDRs and DVDRs, and it even had problems reading burned discs. It happened quite suddenly, so I suspected that the drive was broken until I read the many successful reports of cleaning the lens.
I didn’t have a cleaning kit and I wanted to see what caused the problem, so I went a step further and took my MacBook Pro apart. I opened the drive and cleaned the lens with alcohol (well, vodka to be more exact because I didn’t have anything more pure
) And indeed, it now burns the same discs it refused before.
Don’t bother trying the software-related tricks like changing the system language, repairing permissions or resetting the PRAM (the age-old ritual of trying to appease the Mac Gods). Just get a good cleaning kit.
I took some macro photos of the lens before and after cleaning: http://tinyurl.com/cr8z7q and http://tinyurl.com/ck8sff
As you can see, there was only a small amount of dust, but that seems to be enough to sabotage the drive. A good cleaning kit should be able to remove such tiny amount of dust, so opening the drive is overkill (but it was interesting anyway).
Hi,
This is something that I found in VideoHelp by basskadet
Seems like it’s an Apple problem, not Toast
—–
A Medium Error is in reference to the media used (i.e. a problem with he disk). However, there are lots of things that can go wrong with the media which is what the ’sense code’ refers to. 0×73, 0×03 is to do with laser power calibration.
Every disk brand and type uses different power ranges for the laser and it is down to all sorts of reasons (even the dye used on the disk affects it). Therefore, every disk manufacturer incorporates a section of the disk that the drive reads before any burning takes place. That effectively calibrates the drive’s laser for the specific media being used and it does this before writing the lead-in.
Lots of people are suggesting changing the media to rectify the issue but, while this might prove successful because every disk uses different ranges of power, it isn’t really solving the problem.
This is a VERY common problem with the Matshita drives Apple choose to use and I have come across it regularly myself which is why I have looked into it. I am no great expert on the subject and am merely stating what I have so far discovered for myself.
There are lots of threads on this topic and people seem to suggest numerous solutions. However, be careful because, as I pointed out earlier, there are lots of things that can go wrong with media and that is what the sense codes are for. So what might work for one sense code does not mean it will work for another, even if they are close.
I do have a few suggestions though. the sense code 0×73 0×03 is basically down to 4 variables, the laser, the power to the laser, the thing controlling the power and the media.
So, use a media you know should work (i.e. one that always has for you in the past). Clean your laser and your drive thoroughly. Check your RAM and if there is anything fishy you should replace it. Reset the PRAM (Shut down then reboot holding Command-Option-P-R altogether until you hear the startup noise for the second time). Finally, and perhaps the most straightforward suggestion, try a different PSU/Battery. Apple power supplies can be dodgy and this has worked for external drives with the same troubles.
However, I am no expert so someone who knows more about drives might have some other ideas.
—–
http://forum.videohelp.com/topic221420.html
Thx, my macbook pro burner is now back in buisness. Really cool!
Everyone that owns a Mac should use this app: BURN.
It does everything that Toast does, and it’s FREE
And besides that, seem that the ERROR KEY thing… is not happening (at least not still)
http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net/Pages/English/home.html
Cheers, and Long Life MAC !
Man, you rock! I had become so so so very depressed with my MacBook Pro’s optical drive (17″ August 2007): at first it stopped writing on DVD+R, then DVD-R as well. I had fiddled with Language sequences, permissions, zapping PRAM, resetting the SMC, then I tried the obvious: cleaning as per your instructions.
I went out and got the dry brush disc thingy, and, contrary to my expectations (I didn’t think anything would change), I popped the same disc that had previously failed to record and Presto!
Excellent!
Works wonderfully now. Thanks a bunch!
It makes sense that it should work. Unlike other laptops, macs have an open slot that dirt can get in, whereas other laptops usually don’t. Their cd trays are some what more sealed from the environment.
P.S. I just blew some canned air into my slot, and it now works just fine.
Indeed, although there is a kind of ‘flap’ in the slot, dust can still get in quite easily. Especially when inserting a disc, dust that has gathered on the outside of the flap can get pushed inside.
So now I tape off the slot whenever I’m not using the drive for a long period. It doesn’t look too daft when using matte transparent tape…
Hi everyone I read yours but I think we have the same problem even I have a mac book.
when I burn a DVD it writes “burning the disc failed because an unexpected error occurred. ( Error code 0*80020064) I suspected that is caused by an incompatible CDs. so I need your help on this e-mail olivisday1@yahoo.fr
umva nkubwire ushobora kuba wanditse nabi ikiazo cyawe.
Hi everyone! I read yours, but I think we have the same problem even I have a macbook.
when I burn a DVD it writes “burning the disc failed because an unexpected error occurred. ( Error code 0*80020064) I suspected that is caused by an incompatible CDs I burned before. so I need your help on this e-mail olivisday1@yahoo.fr
Hii this is Dr.Prashant from India..well i read the story above mention by one of the brilliant fellow…i exactly followed what he emphasized…and the error for burning the dvd went…and its really working just go to the market and buy 6 brushed lens cleaner..follow its instruction launch it in vm ware fusion,coz its for the windows platform….after that you are ready to goo….thanks a lot…folks…god bless…thanku…
imp app are liquid cd,burn,express burn…
Not having a CD disc cleaner at hand, I tried another simple technique. 1. I squirted a liberal amount of Fairy Liquid into the CD insertion opening. 2. After gently rocking my MacBookPro back and forth I then blew a mouthful of fizzy bottled water through the CD slot using a straw. 3. Next I wrapped a bread knife with some toilet paper and jiggled the blade & toilet paper into the slot to soak up the water/detergent. 4. To finish off I used a hairdryer to blow hot air into the laptop and a long piece of wire to hook out the last bits of toilet paper. Unfortunately I am not sure if it has resolved the problem or not, as the laptop has decided not to start up again… Bloody macs!!
@George Bonk(ers): You _are_ joking, aren’t you?
I have moved this Blog to new URL:
http://macandmobile.blogspot.com/
Please post comments on new Blog. I will disable further comments on this blog.
Thank you
Asim
Benny…
Hey thanks. Just what I needed. Was looking for info on Sunday and came across your blog post. Don’t have time to really comment today, will come back later on. Thanks again….
Can’t tell you how happy I am!!! Same problem……….the 2008 15″ Macbook Pro. Error messages, medium error……sense key = medium error……..sense code = 0 x 73, 0 x 03. Now I Know it’s gotta be a dirty lens, because this machine is 2 months old, however I have been burning my balls off! Good call, and thanks for the advice! I used a DVD with a brush built into the actual DVD. Maxell DVD lens cleaner..Everything burned right away after using once!!!!
Thanks!