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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Notebooks > Disk Stuck in MacBook

Disk Stuck in MacBook
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cwkmacuser
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Mar 26, 2009, 04:01 PM
 
I have a CD stuck in my MacBook that won't eject! The weird part is....
The MacBook doesn't display the disk on my desktop. Any way to manually release the disk from the slot?
Chris K.
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CharlesS
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Mar 26, 2009, 04:26 PM
 
Nope.

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seanc
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Mar 26, 2009, 04:47 PM
 
Turn it upside down and see if it'll eject. I'd rather take the hard drive out first though.
     
amazing
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Mar 26, 2009, 05:28 PM
 
Here's the ways to eject a CD:

1. Restart, holding down the trackpad button, until the disk ejects.

2. Add an eject button to your Finder Menu Bar. Go to: Sytem/Library/Core Services/Menu Extras/ and then double-click Eject.menu
Note: I've had this work many a time, even when the disk doesn't mount in Finder.
     
cwkmacuser  (op)
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Mar 26, 2009, 05:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by CharlesS View Post
Nope.
How stupid. I turned off the computer and it worked. Now, I inserted another disk, but this one is not being read, and it's stuck. Should I send the machine in for repairs?
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cwkmacuser  (op)
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Mar 26, 2009, 05:41 PM
 
Originally Posted by amazing View Post
Here's the ways to eject a CD:

1. Restart, holding down the trackpad button, until the disk ejects.

2. Add an eject button to your Finder Menu Bar. Go to: Sytem/Library/Core Services/Menu Extras/ and then double-click Eject.menu
Note: I've had this work many a time, even when the disk doesn't mount in Finder.
Don't see "System".
Chris K.
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amazing
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Mar 26, 2009, 06:59 PM
 
Open a Finder window, set it to "columns" (easiest, but you can always use icons or list) and click on the name of your HD. That's where you'll see System. In OS 9, used to called System Folder.
     
amazing
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Mar 26, 2009, 07:01 PM
 
Of course, you could've done a restart by now, holding down the trackpad button?
     
CharlesS
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Mar 26, 2009, 08:23 PM
 
Originally Posted by cwkmacuser View Post
How stupid. I turned off the computer and it worked. Now, I inserted another disk, but this one is not being read, and it's stuck. Should I send the machine in for repairs?
Most definitely you should. This happens all the time with these lousy slot-loading optical drives - they stop working, and need to be replaced, and they hold your discs hostage in the process.

With tray-loading optical drives, there's usually a paper-clip hole that you can use to force the drive to eject so you can get your disk out, but with slot-loaders, you're stuck. Fortunately, when you bring it into the shop and they replace the optical drive, they will probably be able to disassemble the old one to get your disc out.

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amazing
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Mar 26, 2009, 09:40 PM
 
I did like the tray-loading mechanism in the iBook much better than my present slot-loading MBP.

However, when it comes to trying to reform Apple's design and manufacturing decisions by complaining about my MBP, taking it in for repair--well, that involves losing the use of my laptop. And in all likelihood, it'll come back with the exact same problematic slot-loading disk-hogging mechanism.

Much better to have a variety of ways to eject disks.
     
CharlesS
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Mar 26, 2009, 09:48 PM
 
But he's saying that his drive is not only not ejecting the discs, but failing to read them at all when he puts them in. To me, that sounds like the drive itself has failed - and I have seen a lot of slot-loading drives die in this way and need to be replaced.

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cwkmacuser  (op)
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Mar 27, 2009, 01:36 AM
 
Originally Posted by amazing View Post
Of course, you could've done a restart by now, holding down the trackpad button?
Oh, yes. I've done that a couple of times. I think something was going on with that disk, or maybe my machine was just having a momentary problem. I fixed it now.
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cwkmacuser  (op)
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Mar 27, 2009, 01:38 AM
 
Everything seems OK now, but thanks for all of the advice!
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Simon
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Mar 27, 2009, 01:50 AM
 
So it wasn't the drive but just ne disk?

Sometimes disks with fat DIY labels don't work properly in slot loaders.

But I concur with Charles. Slot-loaders are finicky drives that easily break. When my latest MBP's slot-loader started crapping out I gave up. Instead I now use an external USB burner at the desk which is much faster and more reliable anyway. Cost nothing. Personally, I'd happily see Apple remove the optical from the MBP altogether. How about a BTO option - internal optical or extended battery?
     
amazing
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Mar 27, 2009, 02:11 AM
 
My almost new MBP will even refuse to mount the occasional regular DVD movies. Something about the mechanism either doesn't suck the disk in far enough to spin it up, or some such thing. Which brings me to the last trick: If a known-good disk doesn't mount, just push the eject button briefly. The seems to force the disk to mount. You can hear the mechanism whirring briefly, almost as if it wants to eject, but then the disk mounts instead. Works pretty reliably.

As far as replacing the optical drive with an HD, here you go:

http://www.mcetech.com/optibay/
     
SpaceMonkey
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Mar 27, 2009, 10:26 AM
 
I know I'm now getting a little nervous because the slot drive in my PowerBook G4 has started making very loud "squeaking" noises when reading CDs.

It's also amusing to note how the drives cope with some of the older CDs out there from the 1980s, which are noticeably heftier than current CDs. You can definitely hear the slot loader having to work harder.

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CharlesS
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Mar 27, 2009, 01:24 PM
 
Originally Posted by amazing View Post
My almost new MBP will even refuse to mount the occasional regular DVD movies. Something about the mechanism either doesn't suck the disk in far enough to spin it up, or some such thing. Which brings me to the last trick: If a known-good disk doesn't mount, just push the eject button briefly. The seems to force the disk to mount. You can hear the mechanism whirring briefly, almost as if it wants to eject, but then the disk mounts instead. Works pretty reliably.

As far as replacing the optical drive with an HD, here you go:

http://www.mcetech.com/optibay/
My MBP did the same thing when it was brand new. I got the drive replaced. Now it works, so far. I'm sure it will fail later on, because slot-loading drives suck. This is why it is necessary to get AppleCare for laptops.

Regardless, if your MBP is less than a year old you can get the drive replaced and get rid of that problem for a while, at least.

Ticking sound coming from a .pkg package? Don't let the .bom go off! Inspect it first with Pacifist. Macworld - five mice!
     
cwkmacuser  (op)
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Mar 27, 2009, 01:55 PM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
I know I'm now getting a little nervous because the slot drive in my PowerBook G4 has started making very loud "squeaking" noises when reading CDs.

It's also amusing to note how the drives cope with some of the older CDs out there from the 1980s, which are noticeably heftier than current CDs. You can definitely hear the slot loader having to work harder.
I actually still have a disk stuck in my PowerBook G4 Titanium! That's one of the reasons I don't use it anymore. Would the trick with the mouse button work with that machine?
Chris K.
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cwkmacuser  (op)
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Mar 27, 2009, 01:56 PM
 
Is it possible to get my slot replaced with a drawer so this doesn't happen again?
Chris K.
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CharlesS
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Mar 27, 2009, 03:08 PM
 
Unfortunately, Apple doesn't use laptop tray-loaders anymore, so your only recourse is to get AppleCare and replace the drive when it inevitably breaks.

Ticking sound coming from a .pkg package? Don't let the .bom go off! Inspect it first with Pacifist. Macworld - five mice!
     
Simon
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Mar 27, 2009, 03:11 PM
 
Originally Posted by cwkmacuser View Post
Is it possible to get my slot replaced with a drawer so this doesn't happen again?
No.
     
boy8cookie
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Mar 27, 2009, 09:16 PM
 
Am I the only one who misread the title at first glance?
     
cwkmacuser  (op)
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Mar 29, 2009, 09:49 PM
 
Don't know. What did you think it said?
Chris K.
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CharlesS
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Mar 29, 2009, 10:26 PM
 
^ Something quite painful-sounding, presumably...

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cwkmacuser  (op)
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Mar 31, 2009, 01:13 AM
 
Originally Posted by CharlesS View Post
^ Something quite painful-sounding, presumably...
I can only imagine. Well, a note to everyone...
be careful to read thread titles as if your life depended on it to avoid a horrible misunderstanding!
Chris K.
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jonn804
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Oct 21, 2009, 06:24 PM
 
Thanks for the tip. I have been looking for this for day!!!
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