Clicking sound on optical drive

I tried burning cd or dvd on my macbook, and i keep hearing a clicking sound ,and gives me an error, so it ejects the cd or dvd, so that means my optical drive needs to be replaced?

My superdrive recently gave me problems. It would take in the disc and then try and read it but would make a unusually loud clicking noise and after 15-20 seconds would stop and then try and read it again. I bought a new superdrive online and fitted it myself and now have the latest version superdrive which takes all discs and dual layer discs (my original superdrive did not support dual layer discs).
My drive had seen a lot of use over the past year and a half and I wasn't shocked that it died.
If its in warranty give Apple a call or have it replaced (although they are expensive) if you cant afford to buy a new internal superdrive then buy an external dvd writer for about half the price.
Dib.

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Clicking Sound Near Optical Drive?

Occasionally if my MacBook Pro shakes a little, I'll hear a little clicking sound. It sounds like it's coming from either the optical drive or just below it, to the right of the trackpad. Should I be concerned? I only noticed this after my computer froze once, and since then it occasionally freezes, but returns to normal after 10-15 seconds.

Why do you shake your computer, for fun or for profit? Your computer is not an iPod. The clicking might be the sensor protecting the hard drive. That scenario makes sense especially when you mentioned that the computer froze. Here's some advice: don't shake your computer. You risk damaging the internal components, or dropping your computer.

Clicking sound from hard drive - Satellite U940-100

Hi people,
I bought a new laptop just 5 days back and I am hearing a clicking sound a few seconds apart. Here's what it sounds like: [https://soundcloud.com/user506186265/toshiba-u940-clicking-sound]
Can anyone help me diagnose the sound, what is it and why is it happening?
This happens every hour or so and is disturbing in a quiet environment. Since I plan to keep the laptop for more than a few years I fear the hard drive will fail very soon. If I cannot resolve this suitably before Nov 20, 2013 I plan to return the laptop to where I bought it.
Thanks for your help!

This clicking noise comes definitely from the HDD and this sound is produced by reading heads. On some models it is pretty quiet but on some models you can hear it clearly.
In front of me I have U940-103 model and I don't hear such clicking noise, just normal HDD noise and it is not so disturbing for me.
As far as I know you cannot control it somehow. Maybe you can disable some settings like automatic update, back-up or HDD scan to avoid such activity.

Can't hear menu effect (click sounds) through Optical cable

After connecting my Apple TV to my receiver through Optical I've noticed that I can no longer hear the Apple TV's menu sounds (click sounds) anymore unless I scroll through a menu real fast.
Is there anyway to fix this?

As far as I can tell, the M-Audio Keystation 61es does not have any form of on board sound generation. So whatever you heard in Garageband was synthesized by GB. In the same way you'll have to set up a virtual instrument in Logic to generate the sound.
Apart from that, it sounds like you are not really aware of the difference between Midi controller data and audio data, or at least the way they are routed. The midi controller has no way to send audio to logic through a midi connection. If it had on-board sounds, you'd have to route the audio explicitly to logic using an audio interface or in rare cases using audio over the USB connection that also does midi. In any case, you'd have to route the sound manually. The external instrument plugin in logic allows you to do that easily. But again, I don't think that applies to your situation.
Cheers,
Jazz

Clicking sound from hard drive?

Does this mean my hard drive is failing?

Does it sound like any of these?
http://datacent.com/hard_drive_sounds.php
You could also try running SMART Utility:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/system_disk_utilities/smartutility.html
It seems to be a little more critical than Disk Utility, and may detect impending hard drive failure sooner. You can download the demo and run it several times for free.
Good luck!

MacPro 1,1 clicking sound (not HD)

I have an odd problem with my MacPro 1,1 that I hope someone has an idea about. It makes a clicking noise when rebooting -- and only rebooting -- and then the reboot stalls at a grey screen until I power it off and back on.
I thought, logically, that it was a hard drive problem. I pulled all the drives, put in a new one and reinstalled Lion from an external drive
However, the clicking was still there. So I tried pulling the new drive and rebooting with only the external Firewire drive connected (it has an SSD in it, so no moving parts) and it still made a clicking sound without any drives attached
What else in a MacPro could cause the clicking sound and a reboot to hang?
Thanks,

Thank you for the replies.
I have two copies of the HD on external FW drives, and I keep ALL my personal files on external USB drives, so it is not a problem if the HD fails.
Interestingly, though, the problem cannot really be called intermittent, because when I start the computer from a complete off, it is guaranteed that it will click repeatedly and the rainbow will spin at the same time for a few seconds...
and if I then restart the computer, it is "guaranteed" (based on daily use during the past several months) that there will be no clicking or rainbows whatsoever.

C2D LG/Hitatchi HL-DT-ST DVDRW GWA4080MA Optical Drive Boot Noise

I was just wondering if any other C2D Macbook Pro users with the new LG/Hitatchi optical drive have noticed a different sound coming from it when the computer boots compared to the sound the optical drive made in previous Macbook Pros and Powerbooks (MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-857D). The drive itself functions fine, but this is a replacement computer (which makes me paranoid to begin with), and between my previous C2D and the Powerbook before that, which both had the MATSHITA, the noise the optical drive makes when the computer boots is noticeably different--it's a short, quick noise, not as drawn out as before. I called Apple, and they hadn't heard anything about it, and told me to reset my SMC, which I did and no change in boot noise. I think the boot noise is functionally correct, just want to see if anyone else with the LG optical drive has noticed it...
C2D Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)
C2D Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)
C2D Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I just had my optical drive replaced. The drive does make a different noise than the Matshita drive that was in the computer before. The noise that I'm hearing isn't anything to be worried about. I just take it to be that it is a different mechanism. And it is a noise that I've heard in other optical drives that I haven't had a problem with.

New Mac minis' optical drives

Hello, today I've read in German Macintosh magazine, that the new Mac minis (released last month) would include a different optical drive (at least the model with a dvd burner inside) and that this drive would be much louder when reading dvds than the drive in the previous model.
I am really concerned about this issue, because I am looking forward into buying a Mac mini for my living room to hook it up to my TV.
So my question is: Does somebody know about the smaller mac mini model without dvd buring capabilities? Is it more silent or as loud as the model with dvd burner? Is it more silent or louder than the previous model without dvd burner?

Sound from optical drives is often a function of the quality of media. I've stated what you can do to avoid having low quality media in this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5262710#5262710
That said, if you find the drive you get is too noisy, you can always put the Mini behind the TV. Just be sure wherever it is put it has enough air circulation so it doesn't overheat. You can get DVI cables as long as 50 feet if you shop around.

Two optical drive hook-up?

Where do I hook the second audio cable from a dvd-rw when my CD-r is already plugged into CD-1?
Help

You don't need to hook up either. Use Device Manager, right click on your optical drive, select properties, go to the Properties tab and check enable digital playback.

Clicking sound during cleaning cycle.

I am having problems with a MX922 printer. In general it prints fine, but during a cleaning cycle I get a clicking sound. It still appears to be working, but my wife does not like the sound and thinks it is about to stop. What could be causing the clicking sound?

Plan on the hard disk drive replacement, and consider the ways
available to back-up the content of the current hard drive; that
may be just your personal saved works, up to and including
some extensive music or photo libraries...
Learning how to make a bootable clone on an externally enclosed
hard disk drive, testing it to be sure, and then running from that
external until the day you get a new hard disk drive installed, is a
way (among several) to have a working backup. Simplistic.
And a full computer drive clone is what I am referring to, not some
updated partial file which leaves you without the bulk of the goods.
A clicking sound is classic drive issue noise; and at least you do
have some advance warning. Even if the SMART results as seen
in Disk Utility suggest the hard drive passed some test, it can go.
While it is running, the content could be cloned to a larger drive
in an external enclosure (capable of booting the computer) and
the drive should be an SATA similar to that in the iMac, if you
decide to mechanically swap the drive out at a later time. In any
event, the content on a failed drive is harder to access or save.
Good luck & happy computing!

Mac mini dead, system disc stuck in optical drive

My mini has died:
less than two years old, light comes on but there's no chime and no sound of the optical drive engaging or self-testing or whatever it is usually doing at boot-up.
I have tried everything I know of:
• re-setting PMU
• re-seating the ram
• replacing the hard drive
• using a different mini power supply
• swearing at it
If I remove the ram and power on it hoots so it can at least tell if ram is present....
At first it chimed/light on but (intermittently) nothing more would happen - no sound from optical drive. When it did boot (1 in 3 attempts approximately) it would run without any malfunctions and diagnosis software couldn't find anything wrong.
Progressively less successful start-ups, then start-ups without chime, now nothing.
The techies I have spoken to all say "logic" board is "highly illogical".
Last time it started I put in the OS Install/Hardware Test dvd to run the next time it would boot but its dead now.
Is there any way to manually eject a disc like with the paperclip hole in the larger style of drive?
I have the mini's case removed but I can't see one...
I'm very disappointed, all my previous macs have kept working for five years or more!

I've been using macs for more than 16 years, I've taken many apart to replace RAM, processors, PCI cards and hard disks. I'd like to think I know what I'm doing...
The problems predate my opening the mini up.
Today it booted up long enough to run the Hardware Test!
(still no chime)
No problems found!!
It restarted again, enabling me to install the OS on the re-formatted hard disk!!!
After that, I restarted (no option to eject the DVD disc) and it's dead again!!!!
Here in Australia I think "service" just means replacing the motherboard, which is more than the thing is worth...

My 13" macbook just stopped working. When you turn it on you get a white screen and hear a repetitive clicking sound on the left side. Is this the hard drive? Any suggestions on replacement drives?

My 13" macbook just stopped working. When you turn it on you get a white screen and hear a repetitive clicking sound on the left side. Is this the hard drive? Any suggestions on replacement drives?
Thanks

Put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. Be sure to either use the disc that came with your Mac, or, if you installed a later Mac OS X version from disc, use the newer disc. As soon as you hear the boot chime, hold down the "c" key on your keyboard (or the Option Key until the Install Disk shows up) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. When it comes up is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
If it is, then click on the Mac OS partition of your hard drive in the left hand list. Then select the First Aid Tab and run Repair Disk. The Repair Disk button won't be available until you've clicked on the Mac OS partition on your hard drive. If that repairs any problems run it again until the green OK appears and then run Repair Permissions. After repairing use Startup Disk from the same menu to choose your hard drive for restarting from your hard drive.
If your hard drive isn’t recognized in Disk Utility then your hard drive is probably dead.

Has anyone resolved the whirring sound from the Macbook late 2008 Optical Drive Self-diagnostic yet?

Has anyone resolved the whirring sound from the Macbook late 2008 Optical Drive Self-diagnostic yet?

Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
Do the following:
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
If the hard drive does not appear in the DU sidebar list then it has died and will have to be replaced. No need to proceed beyond this point.
2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
Download and install the Combo Updater for the version you prefer from support.apple.com/downloads/.

MBP Optical Drive, clicking and spinning wildly

I just received my new MBP yesterday and discovered a problem with the optical drive. When I insert a CD the drive makes a series of loud clicking noises, presumably as it tries to mount the media on the spindle, and then starts spinning up and out of control, sounding much like an airplane. Some data can be read and then it fails.
I tested with another CD, same problem. I then tested with a DVD, and it actually did fire up and play, and didn't quite sound like an airplane, however there was still a very noticeable hum which is loud enough to still be deemed unacceptable.
After trolling the forums here, it sounds as though other individuals are indeed having the same problem. I have tried various suggested resolutions from other posts with no luck. Unfortunately there is no genius bar close to me, so I am probably going to be stuck sending it back which is just a major disappointment since I was counting the minutes till my MBP arrived.
Update: For what it's worth... in both cases, the discs do not appear to be getting damaged.

I had a macbook that the optical drive needed to replaced for similar reasons. I would strongly recommend you visit the apple store and/or go apple support and ask them to replace your optical drive. Its a pretty quick install for them.
Please remember to mark helpful/solved replies appropriately.

Optical drive sputtering/clicking at startup

Setting up my mom's Mac Mini, brand new, & startup the computer's optical drive auto load mechanism sounds like the it is trying to find a optical disk, 3 or 4 times, clicks and sputters. Then once the OS starts loading from the HD it stops.
Anyone experiencing similar Mini startup issues? Is this a known Mini CoreSolo issue? Thanks!

I got a (brand new) Mac mini 1.83Mhz Core Duo in December and when I start or re-start it the same problem arises sometimes. It has even left the optical drive in a state where I cannot put a disk in and so I've had to restart it. Whether it's a hardware problem I don't know - though I do know that if it becomes a major problem I will return it, during the warranty period, for service. My Mac mini G4 - which I've had about a year - has never had this problem though, of course, the optical drive does whir on booting. Actually, I try not to have to boot - I preferring to leave the machines on as they are both principally media centres. However, I have Elgato's EyeTV software (version 2.3.3) running to drive one of their DTT sticks in each case and that necessitates it almost every day. Now that's a story for another thread which I may start when I've done some testing - though I could do without that as I've got plenty of other things to do.
Mac mini (x 2) Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1.5Mhz G4 with 1Gb RAM and 1.83Mhz Core Duo both with 80Gb Hard Drives

Clicking sound on optical drive

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