Mac OS X 10.4.9 Special Report: External optical drives: hardware errors

External devices can become non-functional after incremental Mac OS X updates for a variety of reasons, including corruption or accidental deletion of critical kernel extensions/caches and firmware incompatibilities.

One reader writes:

"I updated to Mac OS X 10.4.9. All was fine until today when I tried to burn a CD using my: 16X LightScribe DL d2 DVD-RW. I have tried it using Disc Cover, disclabel NEATO Edition and LightScribe Simple Labeler. Keep getting: Hardware error, communicating with drive."

Fixes

Make sure firmware is up-to-date Is there a firmware update available for your drive? Make sure firmware is up-to-date. Before writing off a suspect device and seeking replacement, make sure that its firmware is not simply out-of-date. For most devices, manufacturers' Web sites will maintain a stock of current (and sometimes older, perhaps more compatible) firmware revisions.

Clear caches Perhaps cliché, but undeniably successful for some hardware recognition issues: deleting specific cache files -- specifically kernel extension caches -- and restarting.

This can most easily be accomplished with a shareware utility like Tiger Cache Cleaner, but also bears a manual process which involves dragging the following files to the trash:

• com.apple.kernelcaches (a folder in /System/Library/Caches)
• Extensions.kextcache (a file in /System/Library)
• Extensions.mkext (a file in /System/Library/)

You will be prompted to enter your administrator password when dragging these files to the trash. You may need to restart after moving them to the trash.

Re-apply combo updater The tried and true method of re-applying the Mac OS X 10.4.9 combo updater has proven successful for some users experiencing this issue. Download links are as follows:

• Mac OS X 10.4.9 Update Intel, Combo [310 MB]
• Mac OS X 10.4.9 Update PowerPC, Combo [163MB]
• Mac OS X Server Update 10.4.9 Intel, Combo [350 MB]
• Mac OS X Server Update 10.4.9 PowerPC, Combo [216MB]

Index:

• Release notes
• Update procedure recommendation
• Common workarounds for when things go wrong post-update
• Downgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.8 (uninstalling Mac OS X 10.4.9)
• Files modified by this update

• AirPort: Loss of connectivity, card not recognized, more
• Application launch problems
• Bluetooth device issues
• Classic: Will not run, other issues
• Desktop icons missing
• Disk images not mounting
• Eject key issues: Longer duration before action takes place
• External optical drives: hardware errors
• Final Cut Pro/Express: Capture issues, performance concerns
• Finder persistently crashes and re-launches
• Frozen windows
• iSync issues/general synchronization problems
• Mail.app: junk filters not working
• Microsoft Office: Various issues
• Networking problems with Mac OS 9 systems
• Persistent booting into Windows
• Printer problems, fixes
• Problems starting up
• Quicken: .Mac backup failure: Fixes
• Resolved issues
• Secure site access broken: fixes
• Segmentation faults
• Server connection drops
• Third-party device issues (Nikon Capture NX, Griffin AirClick, more)
• Update to Final Cut Pro 5.1.4 for best performance
• Volume significantly louder: boon for some, drawback for others
• VPN connectivity issues
• WWAN update included, how to remove

Resources