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ccrespo · Jan 21, 2006, 09:29 PM

For a while now, I haven't been able to insert any disc into my 12 inch Rev. A powerbook.

It's as if something is obstructing the disc and I can't insert it (almost as if there's already a disc inside). However if I try to eject notihng happens, and the computer doesn't inform me if there's a disc inside (honestly I don't know, I dont think there's anything in there).

Has anyone heard of this or have a solution? I don't have applecare for it.

iREZ · Jan 21, 2006, 09:47 PM

here's a solution...

you need a new optical drive. this happened to my powerbook as well, and i had to take it in to the applecare and they got me a new optical drive. if you're still under warranty take it in asap, if not......... there are plenty of superdrives that are really affordable now a days. :shrug:

fisherKing · Jan 21, 2006, 11:34 PM

before you go order a new drive...

try holding the mouse (or the "clicker") when you startup, see if this ejects anything.

then...get it looked at, in case something is just bent, or blocking disks from mounting.

good luck!

wilsonng · Jan 23, 2006, 03:39 AM

Gawds, I sometimes can't trust the slot loading drives. The slot load CD player in my car is more reliable than the slot loading drives in my old TiBook 15" 400MHz or my AlBook 12" 867Mhz.

Both of them conked out on me and I'll never use it in my 1.5 Ghz Mac Mini unless in extreme situations.

I have resorted to using an external DVD-R drive. it's about $130 - $150 for an external SuperDrive. Heck, you can sometimes find it for less. I prefer the tray loaders because I don't have to worry about the drives eventually getting misaligned.

f0xmuld3r · Jan 23, 2006, 10:01 AM

There is another trick as well: if the mechanism is stuck, you can use the tip of paperclip and stick it into the emergency release hole (see instructions for that in your manual).

Sometimes it helps reset the eject mechnism...

However: sometimes it a symptom of more problems, maybe your lucky.

I have a slot-in DVD drive (pioneer) for 5 years and it never ever gave me any problems: in fact drives with a tray have me more problems....

ibook_steve · Jan 23, 2006, 11:25 AM

Umm...there is no emergency release hole for slot load drives in the latest Powerbooks. First thing to check is if the drive is mechanically misaligned with the slot. Try sticking a paperclip straight in to see if the drive is actually aligned. If it is aligned and you still can't insert disks, the drive could be stuck in a mode where it thinks there is a disk already in it, preventing you from inserting another one. As mentioned try rebooting holding down the trackpad button. Do you hear any noise from the drive on a reboot?

Steve

shabbasuraj · Jan 23, 2006, 04:34 PM

push harder

f0xmuld3r · Jan 24, 2006, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by ibook_steve

Umm...there is no emergency release hole for slot load drives in the latest Powerbooks. First thing to check is if the drive is mechanically misaligned with the slot. Try sticking a paperclip straight in to see if the drive is actually aligned. If it is aligned and you still can't insert disks, the drive could be stuck in a mode where it thinks there is a disk already in it, preventing you from inserting another one. As mentioned try rebooting holding down the trackpad button. Do you hear any noise from the drive on a reboot?

Steve

Is that so? Thats bad then, because a disc can always get stuck. So with the newer models you need to ship it off to Apple then? That's bad.....

I once witnessed some dumbass shoving yet another disc into his Powerbook while there was one in it already... Believe me: that takes some force ...