How to open CD/DVD tray if the MacPro won't boot

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Level 1

11 points

How to open CD/DVD tray if the MacPro won't boot

Just a few days ago I updated my version Safari on a MacPro. After the upgrade, my computer, I got a message on the reboot that said that it cannot read the disks I inserted. Since then, I can't get the machine to start at all. I'd like to boot it up from a CD/DVD (Drive Genius) but can't figure out how to get the tray to open to let me insert it. (1) Has anyone had such issues with updating Safari? (2) How can I get the tray to open if I can't get the machine to boot up to start with? (I've tried rebooting and holding down the "c" key. I've tried "target disk" mode but that doesn't get me anywhere.) (I think it may have 10.5.8 OSX and two internal drives.)

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 2 x 2.66 GHz; 2 GB RAM

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 1:46 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,731 points

Jan 31, 2011 2:08 PM in response to wve Rich

Five ways to eject a stuck CD or DVD from the optical drive

Ejecting the stuck disc can usually be done in one of the following ways:

1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the left mouse button until the disc ejects.

2. Press the Eject button on your keyboard.

3. Click on the Eject button in the menubar.

4. Press COMMAND-E.

5. If none of the above work try this:

Open the Terminal application in your Utilities folder. At the prompt enter or paste the following:

/usr/bin/drutil eject

If this fails then try this:

Boot the computer into single-user mode. At the prompt enter the same command as used above. To restart the computer enter "reboot" at the prompt without quotes.

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Answer 2

wve Rich Author

Level 1

11 points

Jan 31, 2011 2:48 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks for these suggestions. However, none of them work. Keep in mind that I CANNOT BOOT the computer in any mode that I know of. It's not recognizing either of the two internal disk drives. My situation is not that I have a "stuck" disk that I need to eject; I need to open a CD/DVD tray so I can insert a bootable disk to check things out on the system.

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Answer 3

Jan 31, 2011 4:44 PM in response to wve Rich

Boot with Option pressed. You should then be able to use the Eject key or Command-Period.

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Answer 4

Jan 31, 2011 7:21 PM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

Lastly, the true desperation move is to remove the DVD drive, apply straightened paper clip to little hole in face, pull open the tray, insert DVD, close tray, re-assemble, hold down Option at Startup.

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Answer 5

Dick Lund

Level 2

189 points

Mar 4, 2011 1:01 AM in response to wve Rich

Hello

I have the same problem I just need to get the door open to use my install disc to sect another drive to start. What did you do to solve the prblem?

thank you

Dick

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Answer 6

atomant7

Level 1

10 points

Aug 11, 2011 6:52 AM in response to wve Rich

I was just having a problem getting a DiskWarrior CD to eject on restart. MacPro wouldn't start in single user mode, holding down the eject key on startup, option on startup, left mouse button... What did work was unplugging my keyboard from my Cinema Display and plugging it directly into the MacPro. Normal startup options were then available.

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Answer 7

Mar 29, 2012 3:57 PM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

Thanks Malcolm, this worked for me to get a DVD in even though my machine couldn't boot past the blue screen (that comes after the grey screen).

Sadly putting in an OSX install disc didn't do anything when I then rebooted.

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Answer 8

Jun 19, 2013 10:28 AM in response to wve Rich

Thank you kappy that totally worked =)

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