clockworker, Yes, the tray won't even come out when I push the button on the front. I would have assumed it was dead from the beginning, except that once my internal CD ROM drive had the same symptom and a restart fixed that. I restart so rarely since I switched to OS X it was dead like that for a week. I finally restarted just on a hunch and that fixed the internal burner problem. I checked Software Update, and there was a security patch but I didn't update that yet. I'm running 10.2.6 (the version where the login button doesn't work- you have to hit return) I am trying to keep iTunes 4.0 because it shares streams over the net, and Apple disabled that in later versions. Maybe you know- Did Apple re-enable sharing over the internet for computers that I designate as one of the three approved computers, or does the latest iTunes share only on my local network? I think it has gone through two minor upgrades since I got iTunes 4. The first one fixed the famous sharing security issue, and the secoind one I'm not sure exactly what it does. If it shares over the net with at least one computer, I have no problem upgrading iTunes to the latest version. I don't want to share with everybody, only approved computers. Will troubleshoot it some more tonight.

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Waterboy, If the external burner's tray does not pop out, regardless of whether its connected or not - then it is definately a DOA device and should be returned to place of purchase within the 7 day cool off period after purchase. The fact that you once had the same problem with your G4's CD tray could be mutually exclusive. I do not know much about the sharing discussion, though I could not envisage a scenario of a Mac Internet Sharing with anything outside its local network - as your Mac's IP address would not be unique to your Mac (unless you had a Router and had configured it to redirect outside computers through its IP and then redirected to your G4's IP). Send the burner back to the retailer.

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There's a good chance there's still a mounted disc in there if it worked at one time. p

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Well, I just got home, and moved the CD burner over to my kids' strawberry iMac (the machine I go to when it really has to work ;-) and burned a copy of a CD just fine. That iMac has iTunes 2.0.3 and OS 9.0.4, and iTunes does not recognize the drive, but the Charismac Discribe software that came with the burner is working without a hitch. I'll move it back to the G4 and maybe I'll just get lucky. If not, I'll do Software Update for the latest security update, and the latest iTunes and try again. Funny how it was working with an earlier version of iTunes on the G4, and sometime after upgrading to OS X 10.2.6 and iTunes 4 it is no longer working. I don't really know if the upgrades broke it. That drive is listed as iTunes compatible on Apple's site. Will keep you posted.

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clockwork, Well, I updated iTunes to the latest version 4.0.1 and also did the Security update thing for the OS and all is well! I'm getting plenty of satisfaction now. I'm burning a copy of a Peter Frampton CD I bought from the iTunes store and things are humming along just fine. I guess it was the iTunes upgrade that "unbroke" the burner. I probably would have tried to avoid that since I "shouldn't" have had to do that to get it working (since it used to work before) but since you guys suggested it, and I couldn't ask you for advice and then ignore it, I said "what the heck give it a try." So thanks for the suggestion, and thanks to the pickle for suggesting to look for an old disk in there. You never know, and it would be a shame to lose a CD for a bone-headed reason like forgetting to take it out. If I was a conspiracy buff, here's how I would explain it: Had old iTunes that allowed sharing music (and copying) over the net- (that was in the news). Burner worked fine. Apple realizes they are helping people steal music with iTunes, and was afraid to lose the support of the music industry. Apple releases a new iTunes that disabled sharing outside the LAN. Many people do not upgrade, Apple still has problem, music industry still unhappy. All true up to here, now we embark on our conspiracy flight of fancy- Apple rolls out the latest OS bug fixes (remember the one that broke the login button?), with a special treat hidden in store for any CD burner on a machine with iTunes- tells music industry "at least they can't burn any CDs this way any more". Can't burn CDs now. Upgrade iTunes to fix burning problem, no more sharing music outside their LAN, but burner works OK. Whatever, I never needed iTunes to steal music, so decided that upgrading was a fine thing to do, and whaddaya know- burner works again. Thanks again. Think I'll go buy some more music. waterboy

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I keep both copies of iTunes around just in case I need to use one for accessing my music collection remotely. p

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