Mac Mini DVD/CD problem

[penningd]

We have had a Mac Mini for a long time and are very happy with it.

However, we have had a recurring problem with playing DVDs or CDs. Spme time ago it started rejecting any disc. However repeated insertions of some particular discs would occasionally be accepted. We finally added an external DVD to the set up but would like to sort out the problem if we can.

Today I tried to upload one of our music CDs into ITunes and tried the internal player. It recognised the disc as a music disc but would only upload it a 1x where the extenl will copy at up to 6-7 times.


We have just this week upgraded from Tiger to Snow Leopard - however, the problem existed with Tiger for the last 6 months or so.

Any ideas - even if it is - get the hardware fixed - would be appreciated.
David

 

[TheBritishBloke]

I had a problem like this in my PC's DVD drive. some dirt/dust had built up around the sensors, and it just spat whatever went in there back out, like a moody child.

All I had to do was take it out, open it up, give it a good clean and once over to make sure nothing was in the way, and put it all back together and it's worked fine since.

Give this a go if you can, or phone Apple and see what they say, if you're out of warranty then I know sometimes they'll give you basic help without asking for your serial number.

 

[dubhe]

if you are out of warranty then there should be no reason you couldn't open it up yourself and have a look at removing the drive, see if anything is physically wrong with it/in it. And you can change it for a newer one quite easily.

 

[penningd]

I have taken it apart before now to add more RAM so I could do that.

Thanks

 

[old-wiz]

you could also try one of those compressed air cans with a little tube and blow air into the dvd slot. this would be easier and faster than opening the case.