Commercial CD Doesn't Read In iMac SuperDrive

Question

Level 1

71 points

Commercial CD Doesn't Read In iMac SuperDrive

Here's a strange one ...

I have a commercial CD that when I insert it to the SuperDrive in my iMac it doesn't read. The system asks what I want to do with the disc as if it was a blank. I tell it open iTunes and nothing. I tell it to open Finder and there is nothing on the disc. The CD plays fine on my player hooked to my sound system. Other "store bought" discs work fine in my drive.

Any ideas how I can trick the iMac into playing this disc?

I have an old mid 2010 iMac running 10.12.6

Any thoughts?

Posted on Dec 17, 2017 8:55 AM

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Answer 1

jayessemm Author

Level 1

71 points

Dec 18, 2017 10:46 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks Den,

The problem seems to be specific to this CD and my drive -- the CD plays in my sound system's CD player and other disks work fine in my computer.

The disc looks fine but I did a special clean just in case. Same result.

Weird

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 9

77,158 points

Dec 17, 2017 10:18 AM in response to jayessemm

Just that one CD or all CDs...?

If it is just that one CD, then it maybe scratched, dirty or bad.

to clean the CD, see > http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-clean-dvd-or-cd-disc.html

If none of your CDs are reading, try cleaning your Superdrive with a dry DVD/CD Lens Cleaning Disc.

for example > Amazon.com: Endust Lens Cleaner 262000: Home Audio & Theater

FWIW the vertically orientated SuperDrives in iMac's have never been all that reliable. If you plan on doing a lot of work with DVDs and CDs, then your better off getting an External Tray Loading USB DVD/CD Drive.

for a good example > Mac Upgrades for CD/DVD/Blu-ray Optical Drive

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 9

77,158 points

Dec 18, 2017 1:32 PM in response to jayessemm

Yea' Wired.

Years ago I had to re-import some of my music CDs into my iTunes Library using my LG desktop drive, after the SuperDrive in my old iMac failed to import the last track or two of some CDs.

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