Broken CD/DVD drive

About a month ago my CD/DVD drive stopped working. Would it be a waste of time/money to go to the apple store to have it checked out? I assume it will be a ridiculously expensive fix. So does anyone also know of any Mac compatible external CD/DVD drives that aren't too costly? Thanks!

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
First thing to do is run a DVD Lens Cleaner disc through it, surprising how often a little bit of dust or dirt will stop them working ...
Any external with USB or Firewire will work but I'd suggest a Firewire IO if you're going to do much burning (for the speed)
http://external-dvd-burner-review.toptenreviews.com/

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Installing Leopard onto a laptop with a broken internal DVD drive?

I'm trying to install Leopard onto my PowerBook G4 (yes, long past the warranty but she's an old workhorse). The internal DVD "super" drive has been broken for a couple of years, so I've got a nice, fast, solid Sony external USB 2.0 DVD/CD player/burner.
Just now I inserted the install disk into the drive. The disk mounted. Install window popped up automatically. Clicked the button to restart and install... the Mac restarts alright, but there's no installation happening (and no error message to tell me what's happening).
I've been searching the documentation and this forum and so far I'm stumped. Can anyone shed any light on this?
Is it simply impossible to install Leopard from an external USB drive? If so, is there a non-disk method anyone can suggest?

Please post the specs on your g4, lets make sure its possible first, then someone here can help get you going.
And to add to that, I am thinking that it would have to be a firewire disk drive to boot (?? Anyone?)
I also have to agree with Jeff, If you have another mac with a working dvd drive, or know someone (use beer as payment ) with a mac that would be quick and easy. If you do it as jeff suggests, then both macs need to be the same, or if they are different, you can put the disk in the borrowed mac, shut it down and restart holding the T key, putting borrowed mac into target mode, then hook you mac and borrowed mac together with a firewire cable, start your mac holding the alt/option key which will bring you to the disk selection screen, pick the Leopard disk and it should start the installation.
Make sure when you get to the point in the installer where it asks you which disk you want to install to, make sure you select your mac (as the borrowed mac's hdd will show up also)
The above method basically turns the borrowed mac into an external firewire DVD drive. K
Message was edited by: eschw95458

Broken CDRW/DVD drive

Hey,
I've got an IBook G4 1.33GHz with a CDRW/DVD drive. Today when I was watching a film it refused to play half way through. Now it doesn't eject properly - takes ages with lots of bad noises :/
It's only 3 months old! How do I go about getting it fixed under warranty?
And has anyone else had a similar experience? It just sounds like it's mincing up my cd/dvds!

Interesting...I had a similar issue last night (interrupting Dr. Strangelove). The DVD just sort of froze, and DVD Player froze with it. I had to force quit DVD Player and the disc wouldn't eject normally. Eventually, Finder locked up. Upon relaunching Finder and essentially holding the eject button, the DVD came out. Popped it back in and it worked fine. Today, my iBook isn't even detecting the disc drive.
UPDATE: Rebooted the iBook and it's working again..odd. Good luck with yours.

T43 Replacement CDR/DVD Drives P/N:39T2529 ASM P/N:39T2528

I need to replace my T43's CD-R/DVD drive, as it literally fell apart on me. I looked at the part number sticker on the drive and it has this at the top of the sticker :
FRU P/N : 39T2529 ASM P/N : 39T2528 REV : 101
What does the ASM P/N mean? Does it mean the T43 can also use the 39T2528 drive also?
I found a drive with that part number that is a recordable DVD player and would like to replace my broken CDR/DVD drive with that instead if it will work.
Thanks

Hi dumpsterdivin62,
I don't think it matters, the service parts page mentions the P/N as compatible for A30p:- http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/migr-39574.html
Hope this helps.
Maliha (I don't work for lenovo)
ThinkPads:- T400[Win 7], T60[Win 7], IBM 240[Win XP]
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Apple:- Macbook Air [Snow Leopard]
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Regarding CD/DVD drive

Well to start off I have the very first model of Macbook, which I bought back in 2006, the 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo. In 2007 my cd drive stopped working... spitting out any cd or dvd I insert in it. I did buy apple care, but unfortunately all my cds and documents were burned so I figured I could live without it.
Now I have 2 questions. Is there anyway I could check on the status of my apple care plan without my docs and cds?
And secondly, how much would it cost to repair my broken CD/DVD drive? Would it be cheaper to buy an external drive?
Any responses are greatly appreciated!

Hi Andrew,
If you registered your AppleCare back in 2006, it does not matter whether you still have the paperwork or CD's.
The serial number for your computer is all you should need.
Go to the Apple>About this Mac>More Info and you should see the serial number at the bottom of that first window. Now just call AppleCare at 1-800-APL-CARE and you should be set. Same holds true if you can get to an Apple Store. Just make an appointment at Apple.com first. Otherwise be prepared to be on Stand-By and wait for a while.
Good Luck.
Adam

How is it possible to install Windows 7 via USB-Stick on a 2009 iMac with a broken DVD-Drive?

Hello,
i have a 2009 iMac and Windows 7 64bit in my Boot Camp.
Windows is now slow and needs to be reinstalled.
The problem is the DVD-Drive in my iMac is broken, so i can't use my Windows-install-DVD.
How can i reinstall Windows 7 via USB-Stick on a 2009 iMac with a broken DVD-Drive?

F3Spirit wrote:
Thank you,
I try this.
Also check this one out
But i think you would be far better served by installing Windows in a virtual machine.

How do I install an amazon external dvd drive to replace a broken internal one in my old macbook?

My old macbook has a broken optical drive inside it. The one that came with it has quit working and the genius at the genius bar said it needed to be replaced. The genius said to get an external one online so I bought the Amazon basics external dvd drive. I can't figure out how to install it and get it to work.

Nothing will show up on the desktop until you put a CD/DVD in it.
Plug it into the FireWire or USB port and turn it on. Put a CD/DVD in it and it should show up on the desktop.

Weird broken DVD drive issue

+(crossposted from here, this forum seems to get much more traffic.)+
Hi.
A couple of weeks ago, my Macbook's DVD drive stopped working. It won't load discs (physically) at all. This is not a software issue, it won't load under Windows or external boots either.
I figure the drive is dead, and I'm not that broken up about it… I almost never use it.
However, there are two interesting side points, which aren't very common judging by the lack of Google results:
• Ever since I got my Macbook, the drive made a sort of 'spinning' sound every time the empty drive was powered up, i.e. on waking from sleep or starting/rebooting, the drive would make a quick 'back and forth' noise, which none of my friends' Macbooks made. This only happened when the drive was empty; it was silent when a disc was loaded. My drive is a *HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N* according to System Profiler. I never did check whether my friends' drives were identical, although one friend did have the exact same model of Macbook. For all I know, this is entirely common with my drive.
• When the drive died (exactly when it died), another thing started happening as well: When I lift the Macbook's screen to wake it, I cannot type my password without extra characters (which are, of course, obscured) being added… I always need a second attempt to unlock my computer. I can't help but think that these two issues are connected… they started simultaneously.
So… is there any chance my drive is not dead? Does the fact that it always made strange noises have anything to do with it? And how does the phantom typing figure in? Is there a way to see what characters the system if dumping into my password box?
Thanks for any help. Again, I'm not worried about it, more curious. I'm also well out of warranty.

I can't speak to the specifics of your situation, hudgie, but I can tell you that the SuperDrive on my first MacBook conked out and had to be replaced. Fortunately, it was still under AppleCare. The symptom my MacBook presented was that it would not mount CDs. It would accept them and then spit them right back out. Curiously, it played DVDs just fine. This was a progressive failure. At first, I could rotate the CD and have it accepted. Then I would have to fiddle with it longer in order to get it to accept the CD. And, finally, it would not accept a CD at all. I did try a cleaning disc on the drive, without success. If you haven't tried a cleaning disc, I would suggest trying that, especially since you are out of warranty anyway.
Good luck!

Broken DVD Drive on my Satellite M35x laptop

Hi,
the CD-DVD Drive on my Satellite Laptop apparently is broken and I was thinking about purchasing an external CD-DVD Drive and would appreciate HELP.
In the event that I need to RE-Install Windows, would I be able to do this with an External CD Drive since I believe I need to boot from the CD to begin the reinstall and I am not sure if the Laptop will "recognize" the external drive?
Thank you,
Bob

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DVD Drive Broken -Can I install from another Mac?

Hello All
A friend has a MacMini with a broken DVD Drive. He also has a MacBook, which has a working drive. He is still using Leopard and wants to upgrade to Snow Leopard. Can he upgrade the MacBook, then upgrade the MacMini using the MacBook? If so, would anyone happen to have detailed instructions?
Thank you for your time
Cooch

You connect the two via Firewire cable. Boot the Mini into TDM. Put the installer DVD into the optical drive on the MB then boot the MB. After the chime hold down the "C" key to boot from the installer DVD. Select the language and click on the Continue button. When the menubar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Select the Mini's drive from the left sidebar, click on the First Aid tab in DU's main window, then click on the Repair Disk button. After Repair Disk is completed click on the Repair Permissions button. When completed quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with the installation. When you reach the point for selecting a target drive select the Mini's drive. Continue on. The Snow Leopard installer will automatically upgrade the existing Leopard system.

Install OS X on MacBook with broken DVD drive

Hi,
I need to install OS X on a MacBook that has a broken DVD drive. How is best to so this? Install over FireWire? Use Remote Install? I have access to a working MacBook Pro.
Thanks,
James.

You can also install via USB key.
Method explained here:
http://discussions.info.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2726610&tstart=0

Trying to wipe the hard drive on a G5 iMac, using an external DVD drive as the one in the iMac is broken.

I'm trying to boot up with the OS (or install) disk, from an external DVD drive as the one in the iMac is broken. When the computer boots up, my normal desktop appears, but also the Mac OSX (Tiger) install disk. When I double-click on the "Install Mac OSX" icon, a screen comes up that says: "Click the button below to restart & begin the install process". The iMac restarts, but just goes back to where it was, & I'm prompted to: "Click the button below to restart & begin the install process".
So far there is no way to "begin the install process", I just keep going around in circles with this. I'm doing this so I can sell the computer. I hope I've made it clear, and TIA for any advice.

I looked at the disk utility erase option. The wording looked a little vague. Seemed to me to erase all the disk including the data if you pick one pass, but I am not sure.
but that is contradicted when you see you have to pick the correct option.

Replacement DVD drive - broken Mashita drive

Hi,
I have a broken Mashita DVD burner, probably the UJ-845-B (I already removed it), but this one is no longer available. I'm looking for a replacement internal Drive. I've seen people using Pioneer, Sony and other types of Mashita DVD burners, but usually with other iMacs.
I've got some questions:
1. What DVD burners are compatible with my iMac G5.
2. If I install a newer model Mashita will I need to update firmware and where can I get it (or does Apple provide it)
3. Other things I need to take into consideration before buying a new one
Thanks,
Eric

Hi,
Just some info on my own question:
I purchased a NEC/Sony Optiarc AD-7633A. I removed the old Mashita ( "How-To" documentation can be found on Apple's website) and then replaced the bezel (front side where CD/DVD's go in) from the Optiarc with the old one from Mashita. Some simple cutting of little clips is necessary to make things fit well. Place things back and works like a charm.
No updating of Firmware necessary and the Apple immediately recognizes the DVD drive
Good luck for all of you who need to replace their own Superdrive.
Eric

How do I upgrade from OS 10.5.8 to OS 10.6 with broken dvd drive?

Hi I have a MacBook from 2010 and I still have OS 10.5.8 on it but most applications won't work now (like I can't download a new itunes) because my OS is so outdated. I want to put the next OS on it but my DVD drive is broken. Is there a way I can get and install a new OS on it?

In theory it is possible to use the DVD drive on another Mac. The 2 Macs must be on the same local network, then you need to use a 3rd party control panel called "Secrets"
https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/27025/secrets>
and then use Secrets to enable "Show Remote Disc" on the Mac that has a broken DVD drive.
On the Mac that has a working DVD drive you use System Preferences -> Sharing to enable DVD sharing (if you do not have that option, it can be enabled via Secrets).

Install Leopard on a laptop with a broken DVD drive

I went to install Leopard on an older laptop (PB G5) only to discover it had a broken DVD drive. I tried to install it from my intel MBP (running Snow Leopard) via ethernet, firewire, and also via a flash drive, all with no success.
It used to be easy to do this with earlier versions of OS X. Is it still possible to do this? If so, can you tell me how?
Thanks.

I'll assume you mean PowerBook G4; as a PowerBook G5 was never produced.
1) Put the DVD in your MacBook Pro.
2) Boot the MacBook Pro while holding down T.
3) Hook the MacBook Pro and the PB together with a FireWire cable.
4) Boot up the PB while holding down the Option key.
5) Select the DVD to boot from, and boot up. Install.
This is all assuming that you are using a retail Leopard DVD (starry pattern with a big X on it.) A grey coloured Leopard DVD that shipped with a new Intel Mac will not work on any PowerPC Mac.

Broken CD/DVD drive

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