Aluminum imac isn't reconizing the optical drive

hello all. i visited an old digital graphics teacher today, and it turns out he's having a problem with one of his imacs in his classroom. it acts as though it doesn't have an optical drive, and he's got a rather expensive 3d program trapped inside of it. he has no idea how to get it out or what's wrong with the drive. it doesn't recognize the disk and refuses to eject it. i told him i would do my best to find out what was wrong and i found a few tips on how to force eject a disk, though i haven't been back to give those tips a try. just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with the brand new imacs (he says they are about 11 months old) and if it is something software related that will eventually get fixed, or if this particular optical drive is busted and needs to be replaced. thanks in advance. i'll update on our progress.

I am having the exact same problem. Have an audio cd stuck in the drive and wont eject. Computer doesn't recognize that there is a disk in the machine and it doesn't even recognize that it has a superdrive. Upon restart it spins loudly and then stops. Optics drive has been giving me problems off and on since I got it with not ejecting but always seemed to get it out when restarted machine, not so this time. Should of had it looked at sooner and now it is 15 months old. Any suggestions before I dump out $ for apple help?

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http://blog.macsales.com/10146-apple-further-restricts-upgrade-options-on-new-im acs
The labor costs depend on the store as well as the time to get the parts in stock. Call around.

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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
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DO NOT USE NORTON SYSTEMWORKS
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Here are the articles:
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Norton Utilities, SystemWorks development halted
TMO Scoop - Symantec Confirms Norton Utilities & SystemWorks' Demise [Updated]
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With gratitude,
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Thank you for explaining to me how to do this. I will try it tomorrow and let all of you know how it goes.
Otto

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Hi Experts
I have been using a Mac Book pro from 2011 (Early 2011 Model), In the mid of 2012 I have planned to upgrade, and bought a 240 GB SSD and 16 GB ram from OWC, Installed successfully and bought another 750 GB WD Sata Disk and connected it to the Optical Drive Bay of the Laptop, using the optical drive as an external device now
I was using the SSD as the main disk for all the applications and OS itself, and tranferred all the user library (iTunes Library, iPhoto Library, Documents etc..) to the additinal 750 SATA Disk,
Last week the Mag Safe cable has been worn out and seperated completely from the adapter, I tried soldering the cable again and it was working for two days, third day The machine stopped charging and it was working until the battery run out of charge,
Now I have bought a new Mag Safe Charger for 108 Singapore Dollars and it wont charge, read in iFixit Forums to change the Mag Safe DC in Board, so found a new part in singapore and replaced DC in Board myself, after doing this when I connected the new mag safe adapter, it fired the cpu fan for two second, I was able to see the green light the adapter and it stopped again and the green light wont lit up now
Removed the logic board from Laptop completely and tried connecting the Mag Safe Adapter I can see the green light,
So with all the above details, Iam confused whether its the Logic Board or the Battery that is giving me issue, I can find out the problem by contacting a Authorised service centre, but Iam thinking whether its is worth to repair it or buy a New Mac Book Pro ?, Because if I need to change the logic Board need to spend 900 Dollars + 100 dollar service charge
So I was trying to remove the 750 GB WD Sata Disk to see if I can get the data back so I can buy a new Laptop without worrying,
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Welcome to the discussions!
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Connect the drive to your Mac and open Applications > Utilities > Airport Utility.
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If I were you, I'd uninstall Power Manager entirely. I don't particularly like any of Lenovo's software. Each and every one has caused me problems so I've gotten rid of them all.

Aluminum imac isn't reconizing the optical drive

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