Generic problem: superdrive malfunction - trying to eject disk?

I've previously posted this problem on the Powerbook thread, but following my initial problem of not getting a stuck disk out of the superdrive, this seems to have progressed into a more serious issue which may be solved using a generic OSX solution?
It started a stuck disk in the drive, so I used a credit card and a sharp, very thin letter opener (metal) and used them like tweezers to force the disk out.
However, now I'm left with a machine that continually tries to eject an imaginary disk, over and over again. But the disk has been forced out by myself.
Can I over-ride this command in Terminal or somewhere else?
Thank you in advance.
C Marks

Hi Carey,
Optical drives are all too short lived i my experiences, Slot loading ones the worst.
This may take a few back & forths, but...
In Finder, select Go menu>Go to Folder, and go to "/volumes".
Volumes is where an alias to your hard drive ("/" at boot) is placed at startup, and where all the "mount points" for auxiliary drives are created for you to access them. This folder is normally hidden from view.
Drives with an extra 1 on the end have a side-effect of mounting a drive with the same name as the system already think exists. Try trashing the duplicates with a 1 or 2 if there are no real files in them, and reboot.
Safe Boot , (holding Shift key down at bootup), use Disk Utility from there to Repair Permissions, test if things work OK in Safe Mode.
Then move these files to the Desktop...
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.recentitems.plist
Reboot & test.

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My superdrive keep trying to eject something

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It's very possible the problem is hardware-related. Perhaps the sound is the drive trying to take in (not eject) a disc, because it senses a disc being inserted (even when there is no disc being inserted).
If you have not done so yet, try resetting PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1543

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I know there are many threads on this subject: but it seems this Powerbook has a very strange problem as it will NOT eject disks.
IT IS NOT A SOFTWARE MALFUNCTION
I have opened up the unit and gently pushed a thin knife inside the front section of the superdrive itself, and it seems there is some kind of catch that has come down and stuck at the front. About 20mm wide, making it impossible for the DVD in the drive to be ejected.
Is there some weakness in a component part that causes this?
Any help greatly appreciated.
C Marks

Here's some reads on the subject:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1750.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3064?viewlocale=en_US
http://www.macyourself.com/2009/05/01/the-ultimate-guide-to-ejecting-a-stuck-dis c-from-mac-superdrive/
http://www.silvermac.com/2006/dvd-stuck-in-macbook-pro/
However, I have heard that if you turn your Mac off and leave it off overnight, the stuck arm may retract on its own. I think the arm is there to prevent you from inserting another disc if there is already one in the drive, but apparently it can get stuck.
Here's hoping something here will help.
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Hi
I've got two (related problems):
I performed a Repair Permissions on my HD and now the Superdrive no longer works. And, I can't see or eject the DVD that's in there (a Leopard install DVD), so can't restart with a bootable DVD either.
So, any ideas how to (a) eject the disk and (b) get the drive working again?
I've gone through methods suggested in this forum, such as starting up in firmware mode, resetting the PRAM (with or without switching the computer off and holding the start-up button for 15 seconds) etc.
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Is there a (non-damaging) method of retrieving the DVD with tweezers etc.?

*A few suggestions:*
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58566 iMac (Slot Loading): Troubleshooting CD/DVD Eject Failures
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106752 Macintosh: How to Eject a Disc When Other Options Do Not Work
Launch Disk Utility (Finder>Go>Utilities), select the ‘stuck disc’ in the volume list on the left & then either click the "Eject Button, Press Command+E or choose File>Eject Disk.

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I recently dropped my phone onto the area to the right of the trackpad. Straight away the my computer starts trying to eject a cd. It tries 3 times before giving up. This happens everytime a wake up/restart the machine. I'm thinking maybe I knocked something loose with the impact? Will this be easy enough to fix. It works fine, just this noise everytime I open it up.

Good morning,
Sometimes, it’s difficult to distinguish between what is hardware and software induced problems. Repairing Permissions and/or Resetting the Power Management Unit (PMU) may resolve or at least help in the troubleshooting process.
Repair Permissions:
Go to: Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility
Select: your Hard Drive
Select: the First Aid tab
Select: Repair Permissions
PMU
Resetting the Power Management Unit (PMU) is known to resolve certain anomalies and may well help with your symptom.
If the computer is on, turn it off.
Disconnect the AC Adapter and remove the computer's battery.
Press and hold down the power button for 5 seconds and then release the button.
Reconnect the battery and AC Adapter.
Press the Power button to restart the computer.
Ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319
User's Guide: page-95
Regards,

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Nome Malaga wrote:
Just realised that the restart will not work, as I cannot close iPhotos. When i try to close it, it says cannot close as photos are importing. Can only be referring to the photos on this dvd stuck in the drive. Doesn't appear to be any way tp abort the import into iPhoto from dvd, but import is not actually happening! What can i do?
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Cheers

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Hardware Overview:
Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model: PowerMac3,4
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.0)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 733 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
L3 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
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Bus Speed: 133 MHz
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Model: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-104
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Serial Number: MCDTO700229WL
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Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal
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Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2000 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW
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Complements of Kappy:
Try:
1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the
left mouse button until the disc ejects.
2. Press the Eject button on your keyboard.
3. Click on the Eject button in the menubar.
4. Press COMMAND-E.
5. If none of the above work try this: Open the Terminal application in
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/usr/bin/drutil eject
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Boot the computer into Single-user Mode. At the prompt enter the same command as used above. To restart the computer enter "reboot" at the prompt without quotes.

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If none of those work, the file a bug with Apple through their BugReporter system. Go to https://connect.apple.com/MemberSite and join the Apple Developer Connection (ADC)—it's free and available for all Mac users and gets you a look at some development software. Then, go to https://bugreport.apple.com/, click on the Login to the Apple BugReporter link (using your Apple ID username and password), and file your bug report/enhancement request. The nice thing with this procedure is that you get a response and a follow-up number; thus, starting a dialog with engineering.
Posting here won't get you any action from Apple engineering.

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Generic problem: superdrive malfunction - trying to eject disk?

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