Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iMac - DVD drive trouble (noise and hanging)

Hello,

my iMac (27'', mid 2010, Core i7, OSX 10.7.4) recently makes some trouble with its DVD drive:

1. The drive often makes horrible noises like a shredder. In this context the disc sometimes doesn't eject. Only Rebooting helps.

2. More and more frequently the drive hangs, the connected application (e.g. iTunes, Auditri or Handbrake) hangs and also Disk Utility. Rebooting doesn't help (white freezing screen), only shutdown and complete startup with clicked Trackpad to remove disc.

My question: Is it a hardware or software error? The iMac is still qualified for AppleCare. Should I make a repair request to Apple? Thanks in advance!

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on May 24, 2012 10:38 AM

Best reply

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Posted on May 24, 2012 10:41 AM

It sounds like a hardware problem. It could be a software problem, but you say that the drive makes noises. Call AppleCare or take it to an Apple Store

View in context

17 replies

WZZZ

Level 6

13,226 points

May 24, 2012 11:48 AM in response to chomolungma73

You don't have to remove all data, however, if you have sensitive data, like tax returns, banking etc., you may want to consider moving it to an encypted password protected disk image.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1578

Choose Sparse Bundle, which will only use space for the amount of data you move to it. Although you should create a disk image large enough for your eventual needs.

Either that, or zero the drive in Disk Utility. But restoring from TM may be a bit of a pain, so probably better to just move your sensitive stuff to an encrypted disk image. Be sure you don't check to allow the password to be stored in Keychain. Don't lose the password. The data will be unrecoverable if you do.

Jan 1, 2013 5:46 AM in response to chomolungma73

I'm having problems with my CD/DVD drive too--27" Intel iMac. I've had it since June and it's always been noisy but last night, I tried to watch a sparkling new DVD and it made these horrible clunking sounds every time it moved from one "scene" to another. At one point it hung, progressed then hung again and when I ejected the DVD, I noticed it was horribly damaged--just scratched like a cat had gotten to it. I tried again and it was just worse. I tried to polish off the DVD and run it in my laptop and it ran just fine so it's not the DVD.

I verified the hard drive--no problems there.

Any thoughts? It's New Year's day (Happy New Year everyone!) so there's no phone or online support going on. I thought I'd post here and see if anyone has any suggestions. Something I can do or check before lugging this wonderfully huge thing into the service center.

TIA!

iMac - DVD drive trouble (noise and hanging)