CD Tray status

mpradmin...

"...Is there any application or function I can use to determine if the CD tray is open or closed?"

Hummm... Did that come out right? I mean, a "tray", if open, should stick out like a sore thumb. 😉

Perhaps you are refering to a non-tray Mac model such as an iMac "Slot Loading" that doesn't have a tray, is it something along that line? Now if your Mac is setup properly (or can be setup) you should see a CD icon that gets mounted on the desktop.

If there is any misunderstanding, all isn't lost. Just post back here and clarify things a bit better.

...Ron

Hi, mpradmin -

I haven't come across software like that. Although there is probably a tray-status signal used within the drive itself, or at least a microswitch to keep the spindle from spinning up unless the tray is fully in, I doubt that signal is fed to the Mac at all.

Some home-brew thoughts...

A strategically placed mirror could help you see it without getting up.

If the Mac itself is in view, but is oriented such that the tray is not visible, a small flag affixrd to the front door and sticking up should suffice to give the status.

A small mercury switch (like those found in thermostats) could be affixed to the outer door for the drive, and connected to a low-voltage independent circuit with an indicator light. This could be done with components from Radio Shack for not much money, including a transformer brick to get power from. The indicator light could then be placed at your work spot.

mpradmin...

Thanks for the clarification. Sorry, that I do not have a clue as far as your computer placement goes, but I am still thinking of a possible solution.

BTW... My keyboard Eject key plays games on me as well. I use an Apple origonal, hard to find, Eject (application) or a Control Strip module that permits you to eject CD's as such. Some Apple CD's came with a folder called Eject Extras having those 2 items.

My site is down but I think maybe Don can help, if you do not have it. Let me holler at him. 😉


Don Archibald!


...Ron

Message was edited by: Ron JACKLE

If you have view of your monitor and long corded mouse the Eject app just may help?

Hi, Ron -

Ouch! Lots of volume for a small room....

Here 'tis - Eject Extras

And, there's this one which offers quite a few features, inluding the abiltity to assign individual keyboard key combos to each drive with removable media (including a Zip drive) -
EjectMenu

Unfortunately, I do not believe either of those offer any kind of feedback as to the open or closed status of the drive tray.

Don Archibald...

"Unfortunately, I do not believe either of those offer any kind of feedback as to the open or closed status of the drive tray."

Depends on one's way of thinking, I guess?

The Apple Eject application should show a "visual launch tracer" and with Platinum Sounds enabled you should hear a system launch "snap". Unlike the keyboard eject key-cap press, it remains somewhat silent or one may have to guess if the press registered or repeated itself.

My theory is it may decrease the occurrences of some of the false tray ejects or tray retracts. I know it isn't perfect but it may help.

...Ron

On my G4 with a CD-RW, I can open the CD tray using a kbd command or by pressing the button on the CD bezel. Do you not have a open button on the CD tray bezel.

Cheers, Tom

Hi, Tom -

The issue apparently is not the ability to open or close the tray; it is that the G4 tower tself is not visible, hence not reachable, from where the keyboard and monitor are located. The user is searching for a way to tell if the tray is open or closed without having to check it physically.