My disk drive is grinding!

A couple days ago I opened my computer like normal and it spit out the disk I had in it and then made the noise the disk drive makes when it takes in a CD, but I was not sticking one in. It did this three times in a row then stopped, the computer was running fine so I tried to stick the disk back in and the disk drive wouldn't accept it, as if the drive was just dead.

I thought I would visit the genius bar after the holidays and didn't think it was too bad or dire since the computer is running fine. It does this everytime I open the computer (the disk noise three times in a row) But then tonight I opened the computer (not for the first time today) and it did this noise as well as a very loud GRINDING noise. It is the scariest noise I have ever heard in my life. So now I am very worried and I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I have a 2 1/2 year old macbook with leopard. The computer runs fine, but now I am scared it is just going to explode when I open it. 😟

Thanks!

ps. the drive does not have a cd in it, nor has it since the problem began.

macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Dec 29, 2008 8:54 PM

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5 replies

Jan 8, 2009 10:16 PM in response to rypod

Hey, I'm having the same exact problem!! I was wondering if you found a solution because I am planning on bringing it to the Macstore as well. It just happened the other day, it looks like the casing might be bent at the opening to my drive which could account for it not accepting cds, but I don't see how that would make it grind like that. I have the same 3 grind noises although I haven't gotten the very loud grind yet...... I just extended my service warranty so hopefully they can fix this problem for me.

Jan 19, 2009 2:43 AM in response to Uconnhuskies

Hello, is being a while I did not post anything. Feel good to be back.
This just happen to me yesterday. Actually, I am quite surprise that my SuperDrive start making grinding sound and than spit out the DVD or CD out.
MacBook uses MATSHITA Drives and this is the first time it fail on me.
Plus, Matshita, Mashushita and Panasonic are the same company.
Moreover, I notice this problem only occur after I updated to MAC OS X 10.5.6
Are you guys running 10.5.6 or previous versions?

I hope is a firmware problem.

Jan 20, 2009 6:16 PM in response to rypod

Yeah, I've been looking all over and I haven't found a solution to this problem anywhere.

Just today, I inserted a disc into my macbook and while it was loading, i shut the drawer door on the desk that my macbook sits on. All of a sudden the drive went crazy and started making this grinding noise. Eventually the disc got stuck, but I played with it a little and it came out.

Now whenever I insert a disc, it seems like the disc doesn't settle into the player and the disc starts to run. I can hear it spinning, but it's not fully in the slot so it doesn't show up on the screen. I immediately eject the disc, which has no problem.

Should I just wait for more tips or should I just take it to my nearest Apple store?

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My disk drive is grinding!

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