HELP!!! iMac drive slot jammed.

Question

The CD drive slot on my G3 imac is not the only thing stuck. I am, too.
Where the heck is the emergency paper clip hole for forcing the drive to eject my disk?
I've been sitting in front of my computer . . . off and on for hours . . . paper clip in hand, but still can't figure out where it has gone or what else I can do to retrieve the disk, which unfortunately, does not belong to me.
I probably have enough vacant space on my hard drive to copy and save the data if necesssary, but still won't be able to burn it onto a new disk unless I can get the drive to eject the disk that's in there now.
By the way, although I'll confess I'm a packrat, the original manual (if there was one) has disappeared — which leads me to believe hard copy never existed and probably was only available online. But the one illustration I found that showed the front of the computer with a hole did not match my iMac, which must be at least 4-5 years old, and according to the Apple Profiler is machine model 33.11.
Can anyone help me? . . . PLEASE?
Thanks.
PowerMac G4/IMac G3   Mac OS X (10.2.x)  

Answer 1

Thanks, Grant . . .
You've raised some interesting points, which, frankly I had never given any thought to before.
For one thing, it's possible that my husband COULD still access the net if my computer were in for service. That he would not be able to was just an assumption on my part; but thinking about it now, his reception seems to depend mainly on the position of the router's antenna. Perhaps because of the distance and other interference . . . even slight movement of the router sometimes causes problems for him. But even when I can't access the net, he usually is still able to. Anyway, checking that should be easy enough. While I'm sure he wouldn't care, I don't like messing with his computer in his absence, but when he returns, I'll shut down mine and see if he can still access the net. If so, it will not only rule out any any interruption of service if I send the iMac in for repair, but perhaps also my excuse for treating myself to a new one. (Even so, now that I'm revved up, upgrading my equipment immediately (instead of waiting for a more serious emergency) still makes sense.)
As for the initial hook-up, either I misunderstood the installation procedure or did not explain it correctly. The installation was done by Time/Warner, which also provided the router. As I recall, because of the layout of our home and the possibility of stuctrual interference, they felt a wireless network was the best solution. As I understood it, that would have required an ethernet card for my husband's PC. Since all my equipment (multiple computers, printers, etc.) were already networked via ethernet, it probably made sense to set things up the way they did. For that reason, my computer is hard-wired to the router, which also sends a wireless signal to my husband's PC.
My thought re: AOL was based on my assumption that the disk they sent me was just for dial-up service, since that's all they were offering in our area before their recent hook-up with Time/Warner. I've never opened the package, so really don't know what the promotion consists of.
As for re-establishing the PCs connection, that's the one area where my husband and I run out of steam. I guess my fascination with understanding WHY things go wrong has made me a reasonably good troubleshooter with respect to my Mac, but I know zip about PCs. He, on the other hand, has no patience and would rather pick-up the phone and call the nearest freelance technician to solve even the smallest problem.
As for the airport card, unfortunately I don't have that . . . although I believe the iBook I bought a couple of years ago (but have only used once or twice) either came with one or was ready to have one installed. I suppse I should at least pull it out and find out what other goodies it has. I know they definitely include a CD drive.
Hmmm . . . if I can connect it to my network, it might be useful.