How do I Manually remove CD when iMac won't boot?

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Level 1

8 points

How do I Manually remove CD when iMac won't boot?

Last night I downloaded several updates. Suddenly my Intel iMac 20 no longer boots up past the grey screen of death. A CD is stuck in the drive so I can't use my Install disk. None of the key commands on boot up work so I can't eject. Tech support had me repeat the steps without any luck. Next step is going to a shop.

Does anyone know how to manually remove a CD from an iMac drive? Any paper clip type trick with these? If I could do that I could try the install disk on boot up.
Thanks,

iMac 2.4 Ghz Intel duocore 4 Gb sdram, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 7, 2009 11:29 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 9

77,392 points

Jun 7, 2009 11:37 AM in response to gillesroger1

Hi gillesroger1

Try holding the mouse button and startup.

Dennis

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Answer 2

gillesroger1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 7, 2009 12:03 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks. Unfortunately I tried that too and it didn't work. Here's a list of what I tried: Boot up holding - Shift, Boot up holding - Option, Boot up holding - Eject, Boot up holding - Option/Command/O/F, Boot up holding - Left mouse key.

From what I understand the Mac can't perform the eject function because its not booting past the grey screen. So none of the boot up sequences will work. Hence the need to pry that puppy out of there somehow.

Message was edited by: gillesroger1

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Answer 3

Aug 29, 2009 4:32 AM in response to gillesroger1

Bumping.

I also have a CD that is stuck, and no keyboard shortcuts works.

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Answer 4

Sep 2, 2009 2:35 AM in response to Community User

Hello,
Funny, yesterday I get the same problem after upgrading to SL, it happens after viewing a DVD, and it was impossible to get the disc out. Today I disassemble the Imac, and disassemble the optical drive and take out the DVD. After assembling the whole stuff it's working OK, I really don't know why it go's wrong, and scared it will happens again.

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Answer 5

Sep 2, 2009 3:11 AM in response to peterphuket

How did you disassemble the Mac? Is there some guide you can link to?

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Answer 6

Sep 2, 2009 3:23 AM in response to Community User

Yes there is, Google to disassemble iMac, in my case" iMac 24" intel core duo" and you'll see more then one explanation, also with movie, but you'll need some torx tools. And be careful with disassembling the optical drive, to remove the plastic holder it's a bit tricky. Anyway good luck, but there is also a solutions at:< http://www.macyourself.com/2009/05/01/the-ultimate-guide-to-ejec ting-a-stuck-disc-from-mac-superdrive/> look at it BEFORE disassembling your MAC

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