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iMac won't recognize CD-R

My iMac just stopped recognizing CD-R's. It will read commercially bought CD's, DVD-R, etc. When I put a CD-R in the drive it makes a sound as if it were loading and then a fan runs for about 5 minutes before spitting the disk back out.

Before this problem I did not change any settings. I have already checked my settings in system preferences, reset the pram, and fully reinstalled OSX all to no avail.

Any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated User uploaded file



I am using an Intel iMac on OSX(10.5.5)
Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-K06A

Intel iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Sep 21, 2008 9:13 PM

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Posted on Sep 29, 2008 8:44 AM

Same here. This is the 4th thread I've responded to. The drive will not accept the discs. Wo;t show up on Finder or anywhere else.
10 replies

Feb 7, 2009 9:11 PM in response to Sass

I've been looking for an answer to this problem, but this post seems to have stopped.

My intel mac stopped recognizing any CD. I've been copying CDs, and at one point, I think I accidentally dragged the CD icon in the Sidebar out to the finder. Since then, the imac tries to read a disc (I've tried many different ones), and after a while just spits it out.

I've checked my System Preferences and blank CDs/DVDs are set to Open in Finder. Music, Picture and Video CDs are checked to open in iTunes, iPhoto and Open DVD Player respectively. Finder Preferences for CD are all checked to Show on Desktop. These have always been the settings and the CD drive worked fine before today.

I've tried restarting (warm and cold boot), and even inserting the Mac OS X boot disc, which it ejects as well.

Anybody know what happens when the CD icon is dragged out of the Sidebar?? or if there is any other way to "reset" the CD drive?

Ron

Feb 8, 2009 4:30 AM in response to RonL-Fritz

I cannot imagine that dragging the cd-icon out of the Finder wil have this effect. Your superdrive seems to be broken.
As for the original topic, I have the same problem. The drive won't recognize any cd's, but plays, burns and recognizes dvd's fine. This probably means that de CD-laser is malfunctioning. Cleaning it might help, but how do you manually clean a laser in an iMac? A cleaning disc doesn't help.
The best solution is replacing the superdrive, but if you're out of warranty that's not cheap. The cheap solution is getting an external cd-drive or burner for a few bucks. I had one lying around and that works fine. But if you want your iMac to work as it is intended you will have to replace the drive I'm afraid.

Feb 8, 2009 1:05 PM in response to Gijs


The CD icon was dragged INTO the finder from the Sidebar, and then there was the little puff of cloud and it was off the Sidebar. Maybe that helps describe what happened?? I am doubtful the Superdrive is broken, as it seems to spin fine, ejects OK, but doesn't register or play CDs or DVDs.
Judging from other posts, this has happened a lot, but with no resolution. I don't understand why there is not more input from Apple on this.
I checked firmware updates and my computer is fine. I wasn't able to access open firmware when I tried (Restart > Control + Option + O + F ?), but since it ejects OK by itself, I'm not sure what I can check or fix with firmware.

iMac won't recognize CD-R

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