Coins in the disk slot!

My two year-old son, after watching me insert a disk, thought he'd have a go and inserted two coins in my disk slot last night. I was wondering how difficult this will be to fix, and should I take it to the Apple store, or are there any tricks to getting them out myself?
Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Mar 25, 2008 11:51 AM

Reply
20 replies

Mar 25, 2008 7:56 PM in response to mattathayde

I would not advise using the drive if there are any loose objects inside. Doing so would void your warranty, cause damage to the computer, and possibly even bodily injury. If the disc should come into contact with the loose object while spinning at high speed, the disc could shatter and the shards may actually break through the drive casing.

The only practical solution is to remove the drive from the computer and obtain a replacement. It would be prohibitive to try to fish out the loose object, since you might damage the internal components in doing so.

Mar 25, 2008 9:38 PM in response to atomic wedgie

... If the disc should come into contact with the loose object while spinning at high speed, the disc could shatter and the shards may actually break through the drive casing.

Yeah, and Bigfoot will drop by and say hi, plus Nessie was just sighted having a cup of tea in the loch.

Methinks we've seen one sci-fi flix too many.... 😀 😀 😀

Mar 25, 2008 11:24 PM in response to Courcoul

Clearly, you haven't thought about the physics of it. You think I'm crazy?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,105458-page,1/article.html
http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/lookup+1/1F0C6F74807F6711CA256E84001FA63 0

Maybe you should do some research before being so dismissive. A loose object, if it catches something traveling at high velocity, can easily damage the casing and the computer.

Message was edited by: atomic wedgie

Mar 26, 2008 5:48 AM in response to atomic wedgie

well doing damage inside yes, but cd fragments being forced through the drive and then through the aluminum casing is really pushing it. i guess its possible but getting shot through the head and surviving with no brain damage is possible too but then you end up on tv because its so un likely.

i could see pieces shot out of the slot and possibly see them shooting around inside

but either way its pretty much a pointless thing to debate at his point for this case seeing as the OP knows not to use it

-matt

Mar 26, 2008 7:58 AM in response to Chrysanthemummy

I would use a credit card with some sticky packing tape to grope around in there and snag the coins. Agitate the computer while groping to bring the fish to the bait. You can turn it over to draw out the coin stuck to the tape. You can even pry open the slot a little to increase access.

The worst thing that could happen at this point is that the optical drive will fail and need to be replaced anyway. Pay no attention to the hysterics on this board who talk about shrapnel, they don't understand the laws of physics. I daresay that if the MBP could act like a grenade it wouldn't be allowed on airplanes.

Mar 26, 2008 9:00 AM in response to Chrysanthemummy

If it makes you feel any better Chrysanthemummy, I once got a library DVD stuck in an ibook a couple of years ago (they use a metal label on the disk for security and it got bent and wouldn't come back out). Local independent apple certified tech charged minimum $35 charge to remove it. So if there's no other damage and you have a certified option other than the apple store, it shouldn't be too expensive.

Mar 26, 2008 11:07 AM in response to mattathayde

If you've ever seen the innards of an ultrathin computer such as a MBP, you'll know there's not much free space inside. Coins pushed in the slot won't have room to move anywhere else but within the confines of the drive itself and once they're in, I doubt that you would be able to get any CD or DVD inside as well. However, due to the anti-dust brush at the edge of the slot, getting them to drop out is near impossible, so the drive will probably have to be taken out to shake the coins out. It is also very probable that the drive mechanism may be damaged by the coins, requiring a replacement.

IF the computer is out of warranty (regular or extended Applecare) AND you are dexterous and up to the task, you can find take-apart manuals [right here|http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Take-Apart-Repair-Manuals-p-1-c-258.html]. Otherwise, let an authorized and trained pro take care of it.

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Coins in the disk slot!

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