[selowitch]

I know how to make my external CD burner open its tray:

Code:
do shell script "drutil tray eject -drive external"

and I know how to make it close again:

Code:
do shell script "drutil tray close -drive external"

What I can't figure out is how to make it close if currently open and/or open if curently closed; i.e., check its open/closed status. After determing the status, a simple if/then statement based on that info hould do the trick, right?

[Kristoff]

Why do you even need those conditionals?

I mean, what harm is there in telling an already ejected tray to eject? Nothing happens.

I just tested it and there's no harm in issuing drutil eject over and over. Likewise with drutil tray close.

[selowitch]

Originally posted by Kristoff:
Why do you even need those conditionals?

I mean, what harm is there in telling an already ejected tray to eject? Nothing happens.

I just tested it and there's no harm in issuing drutil eject over and over. Likewise with drutil tray close.

No, it does no harm. But I still would rather not issue a frivolous command; it's bad practice. Besides, when the drive is open, I want it to close, and when it's closed, I'd like it to open. My plan is to tie the AppleScript to a key on my Macally keyboard.

[hayesk]

Make an invisible file in your user ~/Library/Preferences folder whenever you open the drive tray.

Then in your script, check for the presence of the file.

Pseudo-code:

Code:
if exists file ~/Library/Prefereces/.cdstatusopen
{
   close drivetray
   delete file .cdstatusopen
}
else
{
   open drivetray
   create file .cdstatusopen
}

Even if it gets out of sync (i.e. you use the button on the drive), just press your macro key again and it will resync itself.

[Kristoff]

Does the Macally keyboard not have an eject key?

Anyway, you might lauch drutil poll, then watch the messages as you open and close the drive. It will provide some insight.