Jag23

Q: CD won't eject from Macbook

There is a CD in the reader slot and it won't eject using either the keyboard button or the onscreen method.  It starts to come out then goes back in and starts to read.  Any help?

MacBook Pro, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Dec 8, 2011 9:50 PM

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Q: CD won't eject from Macbook

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  • by shldr2thewheel,

    shldr2thewheel shldr2thewheel Dec 8, 2011 9:55 PM in response to Jag23
    Level 7 (25,881 points)
    Dec 8, 2011 9:55 PM in response to Jag23

    when it starts to come out can you grab onto it to pull it out?  You might want to try these methods first:

     

    1. If the disc will not eject, hold down the trackpad or mouse button after restarting the computer to eject a disc.
    2. If the disc continues not to eject, reset the System Management Controller (SMC)  try to eject as normal again.
  • by Jag23,

    Jag23 Jag23 Dec 9, 2011 11:30 AM in response to shldr2thewheel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2011 11:30 AM in response to shldr2thewheel

    shldr2thewheel: Thanks for the reply.  I have tried all the software methods suggested by FAQ's and Apple Help menu.  None work.  When the CD starts to eject, only the edge is visible through the slot's "brushes", not enough to grab onto.  I have reset the SMC, to no avail.  I have repaired the disk permissions, to no avail.  I have done everything-- even tried the bent paperclip into the little slot next to the CD insert slot, like on the old desktop computers next to the floppy disk drive, but that's apparently not what it's for.  Didn't work, in any case.  We have no Apple store in the entire state of Oregon, nearest one is six hours away in Tacoma, WA.  Any suggestions?

  • by Loyalizer,

    Loyalizer Loyalizer Dec 9, 2011 12:14 PM in response to Jag23
    Level 1 (70 points)
    Dec 9, 2011 12:14 PM in response to Jag23

    From Finder, Click GO, then Utilites, then select the application Terminal

     

    Assuming you have no other disks or hard drives mounted. Type: disutil eject disk1

     

    in the terminal, then press enter.

  • by Loyalizer,

    Loyalizer Loyalizer Dec 9, 2011 12:18 PM in response to Jag23
    Level 1 (70 points)
    Dec 9, 2011 12:18 PM in response to Jag23

    If that does not work, try resarting the computer and hold the mouse button down...

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Dec 9, 2011 12:31 PM in response to Jag23
    Level 9 (52,531 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 9, 2011 12:31 PM in response to Jag23

    Take a look at this web site:.  guides.macrumors.com/Force_Eject_a_Stuck_CD_or_DVD

     

    Good luck.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Jag23,

    Jag23 Jag23 Dec 9, 2011 9:26 PM in response to Loyalizer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2011 9:26 PM in response to Loyalizer

    Loyalizer: I have tried literally ALL the software methods for ejecting the CD.  They don't work-- it seems to have a mechanical issue that won't allow the CD to slide past the slot brushes.  Ogelthorpe: Nope, nothing on that page worked.  Thanks to both of you, though, for the suggestions.  I need to have some method to physically push or pull the CD out of the receiver slot. 

  • by shldr2thewheel,

    shldr2thewheel shldr2thewheel Dec 9, 2011 9:45 PM in response to Jag23
    Level 7 (25,881 points)
    Dec 9, 2011 9:45 PM in response to Jag23

    would you be comfortable taking out the optical drive to have it in your hands if I provide a step by step tutotial with pictures/directions as a last resort before having to take it in for service? If so, what size screen and what model macbook pro (i.e. mid 2009, mid 2010, early 2011).

  • by mwm417,

    mwm417 mwm417 Dec 10, 2011 12:17 AM in response to Jag23
    Level 1 (75 points)
    Dec 10, 2011 12:17 AM in response to Jag23

    I work for an AASP and can not say I reccommend this method, but I have heard of many people having success sliding a credit card into the optical drive slot and wiggling the disc out. This can damage the mechanisms of the drive, but so can removing the drive from the computer without proper knowledge of what your doing.

     

    Good Luck

     

    p.s. the little hole next to the drive is for a kensington security lock. nothing to do with the drive.

  • by Loyalizer,

    Loyalizer Loyalizer Dec 10, 2011 8:31 AM in response to mwm417
    Level 1 (70 points)
    Dec 10, 2011 8:31 AM in response to mwm417

    @  mwm417

     

    inside of the slot loading optical drive of a Mac, there is a button, just to the right, you can insert a straightened paper clip into the front opening to manually eject a stick disk.

     

    This it what Jag23 is referring to.

     

    @ Jag23

     

    If your machine is still under warranty or Applecare, I would suggest taking it in for service at a Genius bar (road trip!). If you do any of the physical methods being suggested to you, they could most likely damage the drive by obviously misaligning something important internally. 

     

    In the meantime, If all you need is to read a disk, you have a few options:

     

    A) Use a Remote Disc, but will require another Mac (yours or a friends) or PC too, (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1777?viewlocale=en_US)

     

    B)  Purchase a cheap usb optical drive, this would be a good idea anyway, they are usually small and easily portable, and great for back-up situations like you are having now. Players are significantly cheaper than Writers, I would go the Writer route for even more future convenience.

     

    C) Just use or have someone else's machine to copy the contents of future disks and transfer it to your machine via HD, Flash Drive, Network, etc.

     

    If you are out of warranty, and feel you are techy enough to remove the drive physically and take it apart to retrieve the disk, then there is your final option.  In which case purchase another internal drive and replace it.

     

    Pulling the disk out forcefully will could damage both disk and drive.

     


  • by Jag23,

    Jag23 Jag23 Dec 10, 2011 10:26 AM in response to Loyalizer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 10, 2011 10:26 AM in response to Loyalizer

    Thanks, everyone, for all the help.  I would feel comfortable going inside the machine if it was a desktop, but with the extremely tight tolerances in a MacBook, I don't want to screw something up and have to pay big $ to fix or replace it.  It is still under warranty, so I guess I could ship it to them or... take a road trip.  I don't "need" the drive right now anyway, and otherwise everything works fine.

     

    Thanks again!

  • by Shootist007,

    Shootist007 Shootist007 Dec 10, 2011 10:32 AM in response to Jag23
    Level 6 (16,660 points)
    Dec 10, 2011 10:32 AM in response to Jag23

    Actually once you take the back part of the case off everything is laid out nice and neat. Only a few screws to remove the hard drive, 2 on a new MBP for the HDD, and the Super drive and only one cable connector to remove.

     

    If you look in the manual they actually tell you haow to do it. Maybe not for the DVD drive but a google search will turn up several links to videos and instructions.

     

    It really is quite simple.

  • by windy9383,

    windy9383 windy9383 Sep 27, 2016 10:47 AM in response to Jag23
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 27, 2016 10:47 AM in response to Jag23

    It worked for me to shake the laptop sideways in the direction of the disk drive while it was coming out (after pressing eject). It didn't turn around and go back in-it just came right out.