acmegd

Q: Optical drive kaput?

I've got a 2011 MacBookPro with optical disk reader that is apparently on the fritz. I put a disk in the drive this morning and it seemed to work just fine: spun-up, disk icon appeared on my desktop, no problem. Ejected that disk and put in another but heard a noise that sounded like the drive was spinning up, then back down and repeated this sequence several times before ejecting the disk altogether. Tried several other disks with the same result, including the disk that had a few minutes previously opened just fine! -Greg

MacBook Pro (17-inch Late 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jun 24, 2016 8:48 AM

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Q: Optical drive kaput?

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  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jun 24, 2016 9:15 AM in response to acmegd
    Level 8 (35,212 points)
    iPad
    Jun 24, 2016 9:15 AM in response to acmegd

    Welcome, Greg!

     

    Opticals drive do fail but commonly because they are only dirty. Before trying anything else, buy a drive cleaning disk and use it. It is surprising how many drives that have been pronounced completely dead by an Apple technician wake up and start working after using a cleaning disk. At US$5-15, they are MUCH cheaper that $150-200 in parts an labor to have the drive replaced.

     

    A friend had an older MacBook pro and found the optical drive had failed. Eight years ago he was quoted US$150 the fix. I loaned him my cleaning disk and the drive was fully restored after one use. It was still working five years later when he retired the computer.

     

    If the cheap fix doesn't work, then see and Apple Store for evaluation. The cleaning disk isn't only for computers. It will work on audio CD players and DVD players too.

  • by acmegd,

    acmegd acmegd Jun 24, 2016 9:28 AM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 24, 2016 9:28 AM in response to Allan Jones

    Thanks Allan I'll give it a shot!