DVDs & CDs won't mount on my Macbook.

Question

I have a 2008 Macbook that will no longer play DVDs or CDs. When the disc is inserted, the drive makes some funny noises (more than just the usual crunching sound and whirring) then after about 10 seconds the disc is ejected. I have tried several different discs all with the same result. I have tried inserting a laser lens cleaning disc and it gets ejected too. These same discs that I am trying to play worked just fine last week. I have tried modifying some settings in Preferences and I have restarted the machine as well as shut down and restarted. Nothing seems to help. Any suggestions? The OS X I am running is Snow Leopard if that makes any difference.

Answer 1

The gist of the topic surrounding compatibility of the Apple USB SuperDrive (recent version) with older models of MacBook/Pro, /Air, iMac (intel) that had built-in optical drives, is that the older models would see their internal drive as the correct boot drive for an OS X disc. And not see the newer optical superdrive, due to changes, as one. The older Apple USB SuperDrive model was different in this regard; as was the early model intended for MB/Air.
However, I've heard of brands such as LG who make a generic USB superdrive that is less costly and it has been said these can be used as an external USB boot drive for OS X discs.
In either situation, a superdrive's compatibility for simply playing or recording to media discs is one thing; being able to boot an OS X system on DVD media is another. So there is a gray area when interpreting this. I'd suspect a generic USB superdrive may be worth the effort due to the lower cost; should it not work out exactly, it will still work as a good player. It may also do OK even if the OS X may balk at recording media (had not read that it causes issues) in so much as a work-around would be to use other recording software to use the drive.
A standalone drive, if you talk to the vendor about your issue or need for compatibility, may be an answer; especially when the original internal superdrive has failed. This OWC page has a few different options; of course internal options need to match the computer specs. External options could work, however that's why I'd ask directly, by email or phone...
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/
There are a few items to note in this iFixit guide regarding the newest Apple USB superdrive that could make it worth consideration as a replacement, due to some kind of patch that may (or may not) work. Looks as though it could. Details and a method are referred to here:
http://www.ifixit.com/Device/Apple_USB_SuperDrive -- with more details about a workaround:
http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/23023/Can+I+use+the+AirSuperDrive+as+an+Exter nal+Drive+the+Mac+laptops
The method discussed in the above thread suggests a possible workaround, but may be too narrow to reasonably buy a new retail Apple USB Superdrive, to try it. The topic is interesting.
{Of course, there also are companies whose business is to repair and restore function to older Mac portables, and some are quite good at that; if you need an older model to continue use of software investment of a vintage era, compared to the latest newest models. OWC site has a few on occasion, & wegenermedia does, too; inventories vary. Or they could fix yours. There are times when it is good to have an identical spare computer; a backup device.}
There are a few options noted in following page, where LG, Samsung, & a few others are listed:
http://www.macmall.com/n/Best-External-DVD-Drive-Mac/macMainMenu-2286?q=macMainM enu-2286
Some users in the ASC discussions had good result from LG and Samsung models as external USB superdrives for use with older MacBook/iMac models whose internal optical drives had failed. Since the newest MacBook/Pro or /Air do not have optical drives, nor do the iMac or Mini, the newest Apple USB Superdrive would require a workaround to see if it could work. Some have done that, but I doubt they went out and bought the Apple model to modify it. First, it costs more than the other brands; and second, it is not recommended to modify the product because that likely would void Apple warranty.
Anyway, I'd consider a third-party name brand for the older product external superdrive replacement path; but the LG and Samsung may be able to work OK for burning discs, and to boot the computer from an OS X install disc. Some other brands of burners would prefer another brand of software to burn discs. •If you contact macsales/OWC, ask if they have a product that can use the OS X included drivers (so you install nothing) to burn DVD/CD, and about compatibility with commercial recorded discs; and also the question of importance with original install-restore or retail upgrade DVD, if they boot Mac System DVDs and support OS X like the original-internal optical superdrive.
Hopefully you can get a workable solution for your old MacBook.
Good luck & happy computing!