iMac Won't Accept Discs

[Pock]

Bit of a weird problem! Have performed a search but struggled to find anyone with exactly the same problem.

When I put a disc into the drive, it sucks it in, makes loud clicking noises for 2-3 seconds, then spits it out again. It's sounds as if it can't quite get a grip of the disc to pull it in far enough. This has happened before in the past but it has started doing it again with whatever type/texture of disc I try.

Any suggestions as to how I might get this working again? Anyone else experience this problem? I would go into the Apple store but I'm away with work from this weekend until Christmas and I might never get it back!

Many thanks in advance.

 

[rkaufmann87]

Bit of a weird problem! Have performed a search but struggled to find anyone with exactly the same problem.

When I put a disc into the drive, it sucks it in, makes loud clicking noises for 2-3 seconds, then spits it out again. It's sounds as if it can't quite get a grip of the disc to pull it in far enough. This has happened before in the past but it has started doing it again with whatever type/texture of disc I try.

Any suggestions as to how I might get this working again? Anyone else experience this problem? I would go into the Apple store but I'm away with work from this weekend until Christmas and I might never get it back!

Many thanks in advance.

Go to your local Office Supply store and buy a CD/'DVD cleaning kit. Your drive may be dirty and this may be the solution.

 

[firedept]

Cleaning it is one option. Sounds like the drive is kaput though. Another option is to just buy an external drive and work with that. You can also always take it to Apple when you get back. No sure what other suggestions I can offer you.

 

[Saltymac]

$40 external drive. Lots of reported problems with the more recent internal optical drives. Not worth Apple tech repair.

 

[RoccoR]

et al,

I'm experiencing this failure now. I can't find anyone who has solved it.

$40 external drive. Lots of reported problems with the more recent internal optical drives. Not worth Apple tech repair.

(COMMENT)

Following the logic that it was cheaper to purchase an external disk drive than to take the iMAC in for service, I did so. I see that this there is a guy that has done a video on the same problem. Has anyone have any new insight on this issue?

Most Respectfully,
R

 

[turbineseaplane]

...hmm

Does your iMac have an engraving on the back that says "Steve Jobs" ?

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

You didn't tell us which iMac you have or how old it is.

It could be that either:
- the optical drive needs a cleaning,
or
- the optical drive has a hardware failure.

Before you deem the drive as "failed", it's worth trying a cleaning kit on it.

If even that brings no help, then I suggest you buy an external USB DVD/CD drive and use that instead.

I'd recommend a "tray loader" rather than a "slot loader".
More reliable over the long-term.