" Just wanted to let you know that I successfully brought my Pioneer DVR-106 drive back to life! :-)
Mine was burning CDs & DVDs just fine, but wouldn't mount any DVDs it burned recently. It would mount DVDs from a while ago. At first I thought it was limited to UDF formatted discs. I even put the drive into a PC and it did the same thing there. I then updated the firmware to the current 1.08. Still didn't help.
Today, I opened up the drive, and carefully cleaned the lens with photographic lens cleaner and lint-free wipes. It's working 100% perfectly again, reading and writing.
-Jimmy "

The previous report included some comments on disassembling the drive. Although the enviroment (amount of dust, smoke, etc.) is a factor, the fact that many later macs have cases that require the front tray edge/bezel be removed (which has a dust seal) may also be a contributing factor. (Although knock on wood, several drives I have so far have not needed any cleaning yet.)

"About DVCProHD Components 1.1
All users of Panasonic AJ-HD1200A VTRs should install the latest revision of the DVCPROHD components (1.1). This updater only updates QuickTime components used by Final Cut Pro HD. It does not update the Final Cut Pro HD (version 4.5) application.

Before You Install
Make sure you do the following before you install the software:
- Install or upgrade to Final Cut Pro HD (version 4.5) if it is not already installed on your computer.
- Upgrade to Mac OS X v10.3.4 or later and QuickTime 6.5 or later.
- Quit Final Cut Pro HD.

After You Install
-Restart your computer.
-Open Final Cut Pro HD."

" PocketDock Combo offers USB and FireWire ports in a package hardly larger than the original PocketDock. It accepts industry-standard USB cables and 6-pin FireWire cables, allowing the user to connect to Macintosh and Windows systems at will using one convenient adapter.

Also announced today, the new PocketDock Line Out offers the same 6-pin FireWire connector as the original PocketDock, but adds an industry-standard 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo jack for high-quality audio output. The stereo jack connects directly to the iPod's line level circuitry, bypassing the iPod's headphone amplifier for optimal sound quality when connecting to an external amplifier or stereo system."

The PocketDock Combo sells for $22.95. The PocketDock Line Out Pack, which includes two 6 ft. ultra light and ultra-compact white audio cables, sells for $29.95.

• What to do if a USB device isn't working
• Mac OS 9: Preventing the automatic opening of downloaded applications
• AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express: USB port is (only) for printing
• AirPort Extreme Base Station: Compatible USB Printers
• Using an existing Apple ID with the iTunes Music Store

• Sonnet G4/1GHz in (Sawtooth) G4/AGP (rated 7)
• Apple Dual G4 DDR (MDD 1GHz) OC report
  
  (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked on the CPU upgrades page. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire Freecom FX-5o external used w/iMac G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (listed under 'other' brands, unknown drive mechanism - no native burn support)
• Firewire (cased) NEC ND-2510A (dual layer burner) used w/PowerBook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (using Toast 6 for burning and iDVD ext. drive trick in FAQ's DVD section here. Roxio promised a Toast 6 update for dual layer support this month.)
• IDE NEC ND-2510A (dual layer burner) in w/G4 AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (using Patchburn II for Panther burn support.)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT and B&W G3 Macs)
  
  Hard Drives:
• SCSI Quantum Atlas III 36GB in Dual G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
  (entry from the 20th, added today after getting corrected mac model info via email)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)