Optical drive doesn't read discs

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Level 1

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Optical drive doesn't read discs

I have just bought a new mac mini. It's a 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo.

My problem is with the optical drive. It doesn't want to read any discs. I have tried with several DVD's and CD's. The drive takes in the disc but after a few seconds just ejects again.

A few time I have gotten a message saying -> "you inserted a blank DVD. Choose an action from the pop-menu or click ignore." I can then choose what to do but it stills won't read the disc.

What can I do to resolve this?

Thanks in advance.

Mac Mini - 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 5, 2008 5:20 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

82,941 points

Nov 5, 2008 6:23 AM in response to motian

It sounds to me there is dust on the laser, or it wasn't installed properly. Since it is new and you just bought it, check the exchange program of the store you bought it at, if not under that program, take it in for service. You have a one year hardware warranty which within the first year can be extended to three years from date of computer's purchase.

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Answer 2

boltar

Level 1

4 points

Nov 9, 2008 8:43 PM in response to motian

What kind of hard drive does your Mini have? Apparently the Seagate hard drives used in some of the Mini's have some kind of firmware issue. Try pulling the drive and booting off of another (non-Seagate) drive via Firewire and see if your flakiness problem with the optical drive doesn't go away.

I initially refused to believe the hard drive (SATA) could interfere with the optical drive (ATA), but that's exactly what I found to be the case. My 80 GB Seagate showed no other symptoms of any kind of problem.

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Answer 3

Nov 10, 2008 2:31 AM in response to boltar

Hi boltar-

Bad move.

The unit is new.

Opening it up will void the warranty and make returning it difficult at best.

-DP

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Answer 4

a brody

Level 10

82,941 points

Nov 11, 2008 5:15 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

The opening it up will normally not alone void the warranty, however any damage which might be incurred doing that, would likely either void the warranty or not be covered, since the Mac Mini has no official user installable parts inside.

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Answer 5

Nov 11, 2008 5:30 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

"void the warranty"

Thanks a. Poor choice of words. Point hopefully still made.

-DP

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Answer 6

mic&Mac

Level 1

0 points

Nov 12, 2008 6:49 AM in response to motian

Hello,
I got the similar problem with my new Macmini 1.83(Oct 2008) , even with the system disc or blank Mac formated.
I opened the box and installed the old optical dics from my 1st dead Macmini (2005 model).
Now it is reading all discs. my only question now is : the firmware are different .
New removed Optical firmware was DACK, the old working optical Firmware is DACD ....
Is there a way to upgrade the firmware or the best is to use it like that.
thanks
michel

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Answer 7

a brody

Level 10

82,941 points

Nov 12, 2008 6:55 AM in response to mic&Mac

The firmware provided by Apple is the best known compatible firmware. If it does not work, and the one you changed it to does work, it suggests you may have received a factory defect if it didn't work off the bat. Otherwise, you are just playing Russian Roulette with what works and doesn't. I would not attempt changing the firmware unless it is an officially available firmware update from Apple.

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