Optical drive problem? Is there some kind of Diagnostic?

I think that I have a similar problem. Any CD, DVD, or game disc, my macbook tries to read it, makes a bunch of noise, then 20 seconds later spits it back out. I haven't found any CD, etc. that it accepts. I can't tell if this is the same problem as the person posting their original problem and I don't really understand your solution. Could you clarify or offer a new solution?

thanks

I am also having this same problem it just one day started spitting th cd/ dvd back out after a few seconds and some weird noises at first it would just do it everyonce in a while but now it will not accept anything....is there any help out there for this problem

One easy way to tell if this is a hardware or software issue would be to use the startup manager, which does not use the software on the hard drive nor the system on the install disk. Do the following:

1) Restart the computer, using the Apple menu.
2) Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the "Option" key on your keyboard.
3) After the computer starts up you should see an icon for your hard drive. At that point, insert the install DVD.
4) If the same issue occurs (it spits out the DVD) there is a problem with the computer's optical disk drive. You will need to have it repaired. Contact Apple at 1-800-275-2273 for repair.

PM G5, PB G4 17", iMac G5 20" Mac OS X (10.4.9)

OK, how about this one: The drive reads DVDs, but it won't read cds. I insert the cd, it runs a few seconds, then ejects it. I insert a DVD and it loads and DVD Player starts up.
Why one and not the other?

am having exactly the same problem. have an appointment at the genie bar tomorrow. Will update what apple say about it then.
p.s. my laptops only 4 months old so its under guarantee

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Same here, at random it will refuse to spin up a DVD or CD, mainly blank ones that I want to burn. They work fine in other computers, just now I re-inserted the blank DVD 15 times and then it took, once burned it's fine.

Must be software because when I boot into Windows or Linux I can burn fine, also wiped the HD, fresh install of OSX and same problem.

I have exactly the SAME problem...

The drive reads DVDs, but it won't read cds. I insert the cd, it runs a few seconds, then ejects it. I insert a DVD and it loads and DVD Player starts up.

😟

so sad...

See if any of this might help

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88275

Mort

Press D during startup.Start up in Apple Hardware Test (AHT),
if the Install DVD 1 is in the computer.

Well, but in case the install dvd is also ejected from the MacBook,??? Same problem. The superdrive didn't accep the media.

Hi all,

I had the same pb on my Macbook it didn't read any CD (whatever the type or brand). I brought it to apple store and they changed it for free, it seems to be a known pb.

SeeU

I have the same problem. I guess I'll take it in for service.

did they fix the drive or replace the laptop?
did you lose and data on it?

I tried this but got a message that said "hardware test not supported for macbook" or something to that effect.

In my case, it turned out to be a hardware problem and I've sent the Macbook back to Apple to have the drive replaced. DVDs worked fine, but cds would not read under any circumstance.