[Peter Pan]

I'm really having problems with the F12 Key to open the CD-ROM drive on my iBook. Sometimes i won't react to all, often it only works when I press F12 while being in the Finder.
After I press it it takes 3-6 seconds before the drive actually opens. Most times I can't do anything during that period, since the iBook kind of freezes.

Any suggestions on how to fix this?
Anyone else having the same problem?

[STAT]

Yeah, this is a strange problem. But you're not alone...this happens on all the new iBooks. I've found that the fastest way to open the tray is to choose Eject in the CD Control Strip Module (it's just got the icon of a CD). That opens it instantly. Granted, it isn't quite as easy as just hitting a keyboard button, but it's faster.

[wunderkind]

I actually use F12 to open the drive only 50% of the time. Since my right hand is on a mouse or on a trackpad, I find it awkward to reach across the keyboard with another hand.

Rather I use command-E to eject a disk.

[tsubasako]

Sometimes it seems to work faster if I push it once and then hold it down. I could just be imagining it though. Anyway, throwing it away or using command-e or the cd strip are all probably better options, or using the eject button in iTunes or whatever cd program you use.

[whodisbe]

I have the same prob. But haven't mac's always done this? I've always wondered, why don't they just have a button on the CD/DVD drive itself?

[PowerBookDude]

On my iBook Combo Drive it takes a couple of seconds on holding down the F12 key to have it open, which I like. But that only happens in OS 9. In OS X it opens right away, which I don't like.