Be Excellent To Each Other

I've described the problem in the topic title! The drive when told to eject makes some sick whirring noise, but doesn't spit out the disc. I'm quite concerned now.

The disc is a DVD given away by a newspaper. Hope those aren't pressed on flimsy, Mac-damaging plastic.

So, what would be the most sensible thing to do now? Short of calling Apple's help line, as the telephone has been cut off.

Isn't there a manual overide inthe dvd drive?

A little hole to push a paper clip into which will force the drive open?

The CD player in my parents' old Toyota used to stick in the same way, we found that sticking something thin (like a train ticket or credit card) into the slot while hitting the eject button might help in case it's stuck behind the soft velvety flaps (matron) that are often used on drives like this.

You might also try either Relaunching Finder or restarting the computer altogether and then repeatedly hitting the eject button once the desktop starts appearing, as it could be that OS X is trying to read the disc (which is dirty) and won't spit it out until it decides it's done. This happens all the time with my iBook.

Modern Macs don't have the pinhole eject.

You tried the support boards on Apples site? Some good people on there.

Try restarting and holding down the mouse button until the DVD ejects (assuming it does).

It usually works...

Not on the last five attempts, no.

I think you're going to have to take the lid off and see what's up.

You used to be able to go into Open Firmware and force-eject discs on the pre-Intel Macs, but I don't think the new ones have this. Just in case though, if memory serves, it involves rebooting the Mac with the Command+Option+O+F keys held down, then when you get to the command line, type "eject cd". Once the disc is out, you can then type "mac-boot" and your Mac will, er, boot.

Like I say though, I don't think this works on the Intel machines.

It's an Intel Mac Mini.

Tried typing "drutil tray eject" on Terminal - nothing.

It makes the groaning noise like it's trying to eject the disc, but the disc doesn't get ejected.

I'm not taking apart myself, I wouldn't attempt that with my lack of knowledge. Doesn't look like it's possible anyway as there's no screws.

If the mouse-button thing doesn't work and Terminal hacks fail, you're fucked, basically, and will have to take the thing to bits. This happened to me with my old G4—I ended up getting a CD out by dismantling the drive. If you have an Apple Premium Reseller nearby, try them before Apple, because you might get lucky. For example, the one near me in Basingstoke turns around problems like this within a couple of hours while you shop.

There's loads of instructions online for taking a mini apart. Should be a doddle. It's just a mini PC.

Did you try what metal angel suggested?

I got a disk stuck in my mac drive once and I put in an old library card, went through the eject sequence and pressed the card down gentle, and it popped the disk out.

Also, are you using a Bluetooth keyboard? If so, the mouse-button trick won't work.

Here's some more tips, but they're basically what's already been said.

Craig: seems like it is fucked, yes. Nearest shop is an hour's train ride away unfortunately. I'll ask around first.

Chinny and Mimi: I've never opened a computer before, so I'm personally quite hesitant to open up or poke inside something I can't really afford to replace at the moment.

Ian: no, old-style wired keyboard.

Opening a computer is very much like making love to a beautiful woman.

First you take off the cover. Then you poke around inside, cut yourself, swear a bit before shoving all the wires back in and hope you won't regret it in the morning.

Where do you live, X? If it's London I'm happy to come round and lend a hand.

Grim... just want's to know what filth is on the disk that your not prepared to let anyone look at.


I'm free to help also.

So... have you tried either of my simple, practical suggestion both boasting years of success? I mean, it sounds like the 'restart finder and eject' thing won't work, but you could always try the card in the slot thing before giving up...

Sorry for seeming to ignore your posts. Did try the relaunching Finder method, no success there. Unsure about sticking a credit card in the machine personally. Might attempt it.

Sorry Grim and Zard', don't live anywhere near London.

Try C4.

But do put some trousers on first: