[Buck_W]

When I pop up DVD into my PowerBook, more often than not now, it will not mount. Instead, the drive emits a kind of "whine" that sounds like it is attempting to spin, but is unable to. It last for approximately 20 seconds or so, stops, starts again. The process continues several times before the DVD is ejected.

On the other hand, if I pop an audio CD into the drive, iTunes automatically opens right up and the audio CD plays normally. I am still able to copy CD's, which I do on a regular basis (sermon CD's - approximately 5-10 every week using Toast).

If the optical drive is failing, wouldn't the problem present on both CD's and DVD's?

The laptop is about 37 months old and the extended Apple Care ended last month unfortunately

[Doc HM]

Sounds like it's having trouble with some formats of DVD, either -R or +R (or even RW discs, which suck big time anyway) Try keeping a tab on which format gives the most problems. The DVD drive in my MacBook does this from time to time and it's not died yet. It's annoying but it's not likely a terminal symptom.

[Buck_W]

Unfortunately, the problem occurs with DVD's I rent from the video store. Sometimes they will play without a hitch, other times. . . all I get is the problem. I hope it's not the optical drive, but I'm concerned that it is. How would it be possible to find out, without taking it in for repair? Do you think it's possible that the laser is dirty? If so, can it be cleaned?

[nickw311]

Sounds to me like yours is going out.

I had a similar problem but mine started with the CD burner. It started to refuse to recognize blank CDs and then moved on to not recognizing blank DVDs. When I put in movie DVDs it would usually read them but took a long time before it would mount.

I ended up having the drive replaced last week through AppleCare and it's working fine.

[Buck_W]

I've been checking out some optical drives online and have run across these two:

http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Apple-...4-p-16592.html

http://www.ifixit.com/PowerBook-Part...rive/IF153-092

Does anybody have an educated opinion about either one. . . or another recommendation?