cd/dvd drive stopped working

Hi Phil

I'm having the same problem. I disconnected the firewire cord before ejecting the HD while migrating to my new iMac. That started all my problems. I'm finally able to get my mac to start up by installing an eDrive w/ TechTool Pro. My internal DVD/CD drive won't recognize DVD's, but will recognize music CD's. I checked CD & DVDs preferences and I have it to ask me what to do when inserting a DVD, CD, music CD & video DVD. I've inserted a install OS 10.4.4 DVD, a OS 10.5 DVD, a movie DVD (1 of the X-Files DVD's from season 2 box set). None of these disc's are burned. And I hear a sound every few seconds like its trying to recognize the DVD then stops and spins a half second and keeps doing that same routine and spits it out of the internal DVD/CD drive. Doesn't show up on the desktop. No window comes up saying what do I want to do. I zapped the PRAM. Unplugged all cords and ethernet cord for over 10 minutes. Ran Disk Utility and repaired HD. Ran repair permissions. Ran TechTool Pro. I'm just trying to reinstall the original software & delete everything so I can bring my iMac to BestBuy to sell cause I got a new 1 recently. Warranty ran out on it in February of this year. Just want this iMac to work completely so there's no problems when I bring it in. If I didn't unplug that firewire cord...lol...none of this would have happened. Worked fine before I did that.

2 GHz Intel Core Duo
2 GB memory, 500 GB
20 inch White iMac

Any help would be great also!
Ka-Zar

I also cleaned the DVD/CD drive with a Maxell Lens Cleaner CD that has brushes on it.

Ka-Zar

Another help source (if you haven't already done so).

Go to your OS Help Menu. In the search field type dvd

Click on all the troubleshooting topics & Support Articles that pertain to your issue.

You can also do the same in Disk Utility. Open same up.
At the bottom left of the window, click on the purple button w/the "?" in the middle.
This will bring up the Help Menu.

===============

Try a different brand. Top forum favorites
CDs
FUJI
TDK
Verbatim

DVDs
Maxell

Make sure the DVDs are not dirty, smudged and/or scratched.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50448 How to Handle and Clean CD and DVD Discs



Your drive may need cleaning. Cleaning kits can be purchased from any store that sells CD/DVDs.

"2 GHz Intel Core Duo
20 inch White iMac"

Ka-Zar.....The Intel models are not white. The G5 iMacs are white & the Intel models are metallic looking. !http://www.itechnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/touchscreen-imac-imac-ouch .jpg!
Anywho, you need to repost over in the Using DVDs and CDs with your *Intel-based* iMac Forums.

"It seems strange that all this occurred after accidentally putting in a software disk that was meant for an Intel mac (VectorWORKS 2010)."

Not strange at all. When you use a disc not meant for your model Mac, it sometimes causes system/directory damage.

If all else fails run +repair disk+ from your *software install DVD* and afterwards, run +repair permissions+ *from your HD.*

If you have any of the utilities listed below, run it.
DiskWarrior
Highly recommended for *directory damage* repairs.

TechTool Pro
Multi-functional utility.

Drive Genius Multi-functional utility.

"Will invest in a good quality optical drive cleaner which hopefully will fix everything."

Good idea. It's what I did only because my iMac is going on its 5th problem free year and I do a lot of burning.
!http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419lblp9MtL. SL500_AA280.jpg!
DvdDr® Laser Lens Cleaner

I purchased the above from BestBuy. Amazon has it also & it's on sale.

Thank You! My one year warranty expired and I was thinking that my dvd drive failed. The thought of paying over $500 to replace the drive had me thinking that i'd have to end up buying a new mbp. Then I read this thread, and rushed out to get a dvd cleaner and what do you know. Reading dvd's, installing software, and everything back working like a champ.

I really appreciate the info in this thread!