Ok... this is getting annoying. On both systems, the optical drive seems to shut down or something after a time. This means, of course, that no discs can be read, and it won't even eject. The only solution seems to be rebooting the machine. When this happens, System Profiler crashes if you try to view either the IDE or SATA devices. Every other category is fine.

Sounds like the drive, or its interface, is hosed.

I'm putting one into a G5 tower tomorrow, I'll see if it does the same thing.

What version is the firmware?

Of the PowerMac?

Boot ROM Version: 5.1.8f7

Drive info:

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-118L:

Model: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-118L
Revision: 1.02
Serial Number: IIQC319148WL
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal

My computer at work:

Boot ROM Version: 5.2.4f1

The firmware on the drive is 1.02. I'm heading over to install the one I have, I'll see how it goes.

How long does it take for it to get stupid?

On my machine at home, it seems to happen within a couple of hours of the drive having been used. It's harder to tell on this one at work, 'cause I use the drive more often.

I should also note that on my machine at home (I can't remember if the one at work does it), when I try to reboot it when this is happening, the machine freezes at the point where only the desktops are visible. I then have to hold the power button for five seconds to get it to shut down.

Do you have your jumpers on Master or Cable Select, third from the right? I had it on Master since it was the only device on the G5 bus, but when I tried to burn a CD it started kind of, but wouldn't burn. My Console was giving the same message as you posted above. I couldn't Relaunch the Finder, and System Profiler hung after going to Disc Burning, it couldn't be Force Quit either. I tried to Restart but after it quit everything it wouldn't restart. I could launch an app from the dock to get to the Apple Menu and get back to the Force Quit window, but couldn't do anything with the Finder or System Profiler, had to push and hold the power button.

I moved the jumper to Cable Select and it works now and the Console messages are gone. I didn't have time to let it sit, I'll call her Monday and see if it's still working. It's a business and the computer will be on but not in use the whole weekend.

I'm bummed we're having these problems. Pioneer drives have always been bullet proof for me or I wouldn't have recommended one, or bought one. I did a bit of research today and found out that they have changed chipsets from NEC in all previous models, to Mediatek for the 118s. I'm going to get in touch with Pioneer tech support and see if they can offer anything. I couldn't find any firmware update info on their site either, it stopped at the 117 line.

This was on 10.5.8 BTW, what's on your end? I may have to get one for home and see what happens here.

I should have mentioned that both machines are on 10.4.11. I just haven't gotten around to going to 10.5 yet. But if that'll help, they'll be there on Monday.

Let me know what Pioneer says.

10.4, this is what you needed http://www.patchburn.de/ I just assumed you were in the 21st century.

10.5 won't need it though.