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Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!!
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Subject: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Janie Date: 27 Nov 11 - 08:39 PM Was listening to Stone from "This Is Us" Now it is stuck in the CD drive of my Mac. It wants to eject but can't. Had to shut down the computer to finally stop it from trying to eject. Tried the alternatives suggested on Mac help but none work. My older Mac does not have the little "emergency" hole to insert the end of a paperclip, and if it did, I'm not sure that would solve the problem. Have occasionally had the computer not respond to the command to eject, but that is not what is happening. This seems to be a hardware issue. It wants to come out, but the computer won't spit it out of the slot. Either something is slipping or something is blocking. Once I shut the computer down for a little while, the command to eject apparently goes away (not on a restart, only if I shut down and leave the computer off for awhile.) I can then open iTunes and play the CD, but when I try to eject it, the whole sad business starts again. Should I give unit a good whack? |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Ross Campbell Date: 27 Nov 11 - 10:16 PM You don't say whether your Mac is a laptop or desktop machine. Slot-loading players on laptops wouldn't have the emergency pinhole release, tray-loading players on desktops probably do - some designs of flap-cover obscure this from view - might be worth a closer look? Ross |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Janie Date: 27 Nov 11 - 10:39 PM It is a desktop with a slot in the side of the monitor/computer, not a tray. There is a recessed soft sheath with a slit in the center. Even holding one side of the sheath aside with a credit card the gap is too narrow to see anything, and running the credit card a little into the slot I meet no resistance to indicate a "ledge" where there might be a pinhole. The sounds indicate the cd is trying to eject but is not mechanically able to do so. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Genie Date: 27 Nov 11 - 10:49 PM I've occasionally gotten a CD stuck in the slot on my laptop but just above (or below) the actual CD slot. I don't even remember how I managed to get those out, but I know it was difficult. But it sounds like this isn't what's happened with you. All I can suggest, short of taking it into the shop or -- DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME -- giving the laptop a good whack -- is to shut down the computer and restart. Shut down, restart, rinse, repeat several times. If that fails, ask Amos. He's a Mac geek. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: cptsnapper Date: 28 Nov 11 - 12:19 AM I've recently had the same problem on a couple of occasions but by continuously re-starting the computer and using the eject button I've managed to retrieve the cds - sorry that I can't be of any more help. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: GUEST,Ray Date: 28 Nov 11 - 03:54 AM I assume you've looked here |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Richard Bridge Date: 28 Nov 11 - 04:25 AM This sounds like an iMAC. I think it's a job for a professional. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Jack Campin Date: 28 Nov 11 - 06:21 AM I have once seen something called an "Ecodisc" being used for Linux distributions - it was the same diameter as a CD but half as thick and made of some flexible plastic. It came with a caution that you shouldn't put it in a slot-loading drive or you'd never get it out again. Maybe they used that technology to make the Mudcat disc? |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: BillE Date: 28 Nov 11 - 07:36 AM From the Mac Help Menu If you're trying to eject a CD or DVD: Choose Apple menu > Log Out, and then log in again. Try to eject the disc again. If you still can't eject the CD or DVD, choose Apple menu > Restart. While your computer restarts, hold down the mouse button or trackpad button until the disc is ejected. Good Luck! Bill |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Richard Bridge Date: 28 Nov 11 - 07:44 AM A bloke I know wot does know a fing or two about MACs says: - "Firstly: hold the off switch down until you get a frighteningly loud BBBBBWEEEEEPPPPPPP!!!!! This will re-boot the whole system. It can take 10 minutes. Secondly: Restart the machine holding down the mouse button. Third: Do these fixes http://www.macyourself.com/2009/05/01/the-ultimate-guide-to-ejecting-a-stuck-disc-from-mac-superdrive/ After that I am stuck...." |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: GUEST Date: 28 Nov 11 - 07:44 AM You should have bought a PC. Mac = Crap |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Amos Date: 28 Nov 11 - 12:20 PM Boy, did you get the wrong number, Guesty! |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Jim McLean Date: 28 Nov 11 - 05:36 PM Can you get any purchase on the rim of the tray? I have a DVD player which sticks occasionally and it I hook something thin on the lip and exert some purchase whiile clicking on eject and it comes out but one has to be quick and hold on to the tray before it goes back in again. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Jack Campin Date: 28 Nov 11 - 05:55 PM There isn't a tray to grip. One possibility: if the problem is what I suggested, with a thinner than usual disc, it may be hitting that protective sheath when the mechanism tries to eject it. In which case, holding the sheath open with a thin-bladed knife or piece of thin stiff card as you hit the eject button might let enough of the disc pop through that you can grab it and help it out. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: GUEST,number 6 Date: 28 Nov 11 - 10:49 PM A little over 3 years ago I almost purchased an iMac. I was drooling over it while the Mac guy at the store showed me all the features. I asked, where's the CD drive. He showed it to me. He did warn me if you put one of those smaller demo CD's in it "you'll have to send it in for service". Overall I was sold on that machine. As I snapped my ching-ching card on the counter to make the big $buy that CD slot came back to me. I thought that is rather cheesy. I quickly questioned (to myself) the overall quality of the iMac. That CD slot was certainly a comprimise on quality. I changed my mind, and purchased a Dell desktop with a 22 inch flat screen monitor. I have had no problems whatsoever with the Dell, and I did save on half the price of that iMac. So ends my story for what it is worth ... good luck on that CD drive. biLL .... :) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Janie Date: 29 Nov 11 - 05:40 AM Still stuck. I've tried everything I can find on the web to do. Looks like a job for the Geek Squad. I was planning on taking it in after Christmas anyway. I've had the iMac for at least 4, maybe 5 years and this is the first problem I've had that wasn't of my own making, and the first hardware problem I've had at all. Was planning on taking it in after the 1st of the year anyway to have more ram installed so I can upgrade the operating system. I like the Mac well enough that I would just as soon stick with it, and certainly could not afford to buy another Mac right now. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Richard Bridge Date: 29 Nov 11 - 09:00 AM Be warned - if it meeds a new drive it WILL be expensive. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: EBarnacle Date: 29 Nov 11 - 09:10 AM Can you set up an external cd drive so you do not run into the problem again? |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Jack Campin Date: 29 Nov 11 - 09:23 AM Some iMacs are easy to take apart yourself - have you looked for a service manual online? Once you've got the case open it should be easy to release the CD from the drive (there will be a hardware release button on it, even if it isn't linked to anything you can push externally). Which model is it? It seems likely to me that there is something nonstandard about that Mudcat CD. What I would do: make a copy of it with iTunes while it's stuck inside. Then, once the drive is usable again, burn a copy onto your own media. Play the copy thereafter. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Richard Bridge Date: 29 Nov 11 - 10:22 AM From the description, an iMac G5. It will probably have firewire and certainly USB2 (don't use the socket on the keyboard, it hasn't enough power) so an external drive is possible - but if the CD you want to play is still in the side of the screen and going whirr-bonk-clik trying to get out not only will it be annoying but also it will mean buying another CD. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Jack Campin Date: 29 Nov 11 - 10:44 AM iMac G5s are an absolute doddle to get apart. Three captive screws along the bottom edge. Place the screen down on something soft, undo the screws and and lift the machine bottom edge first. From there on it should be obvious. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Mysha Date: 29 Nov 11 - 01:08 PM Hi, For what it's worth: I've once or twice had to liberate CD-s by actually putting the computer on its side. You probably should not try playing them that way, but if it's the CD that gets stuck, it can be a way to get it out. As far as I can see, the Mudcat CD-s are no thinner than other CD-s, though. It may be yours is slightly concave or -vex and you just have to remind yourself not to play that one that way. But it might also be the ejection mechanism just has kicked the trashcan, so it might be worth the effort to try and get another CD trapped, and liberated. In the end, if you're bringing it in anyway, anything you don't feel comfortable trying won't be worth it. Let someone else worry about it. Bye, Mysha |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: GUEST,Graham Pirt Date: 29 Nov 11 - 03:36 PM I had this problem and the Apple genius guy told me to turm off the computer. When you start it up again keep holding down the eject button and the disc will eject. Worked a few times for me with some dodgy self - recorded CDs. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: Genie Date: 29 Nov 11 - 04:55 PM I've had CDs refuse to eject a couple times over the past few years with various Mac laptops, but with one exception, I was always able eventually to extricate the CD by shutting down the computer and restarting a few times. Turning the laptop upside down may also help, but that's not as easy to to on a desktop model. The one time I actually had a defective CD/DVD drive (with a Powerbook), it did not cost very much to get a refurbished CD/DVD drive installed to replace the defective one, and I never had any problem with that replacement drive. BTW, GUEST, number 6, I don't question the accuracy of your story about your experience with an iMac. But one anecdote, no matter how true, hardly proves a generalization. Having worked with many different models of both Mac and Windows computers, I find the Macs both more user friendly and more trouble-free. At any rate, I don't think having a defective hardware component on a computer implies that a change in both operating system and hardware is the solution. : ) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: GUEST,number 6 Date: 29 Nov 11 - 11:45 PM Genie .... undoubtably You are correct in saying that the Mac is more user friendly than the PC. And yes the average non-techie user probably does encounter more issues with the PC than the Mac. With the PC one must be a bit techie savvy to overcome and prevent such issues from happening. I fall into that category and I must say my PC is and has been trouble free. But, as you can see from various posting in this thread the iMac CD drive is definitely more inferior than the standard PC. Jammed CD drives on PC's can easily be ejected by using a thin metal spatula device or even an oyster shucker. Jammed iMac CD drives require a trip to the shop. And as I always say, though the iMac is a cool machine the selling price does not warrant it's true value. With that being said, I do love my iPad ... that is cool and the price is reasonable when compared to it's competitors. biLL ... :-) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Mac stuck CD!!!! From: JohnInKansas Date: 29 Nov 11 - 11:54 PM I thought a Mac was like a Rolls-Royce. They don't sell parts for them 'cause "they never break" (they say). (?) The problem of non-ejectable CDs was fairly prevalent a few years back in automotive dashboards. You might take your Mac down to the local F*rd dealer for suggestions(?). Beware of the mechanic that says "get bigger wrench" though. The older auto players had a "damper" bit of felt that rode on the outer edge of the disk so it wouldn't bounce off the spindle when you hit a bump, and if the felt got too fuzzy it could jam the disk. (Same reason adhesive labels often prevented playing home-recorded CDs in your car. A little bit of label plucked up by the damper jammed everything, or just made the disk wobble so much it couldn't track.) John |
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