How do you get a cd out of the imac g5 drive if the computer doesn't know it's in there. I've tried shutting it off and holding the mouse button, but nothing works because the computer can't eject what it isn't registering to be there in the first place.

Question

I can't get access to the cd that is probably slid past where it is supposed to go.  The computer doesn't note it is in there.  This happened once before and I used another cd to tap it into place, and then I could eject the cd.  It's a library music cd and nothing I've done to eject it, works.  The dvd drive is empty to the computer, even though I've tried to trick it by getting it to burn a cd or dvd.  It says insert disc.  Hope someone knows how to pop it into place or open the thing up to get access to the drive.  That cd is due! 

Answer 1

power off your machine.  hold down your left mouse button.  power on your machine.  This should eject the cd.
Eject cd
Here is a web page on twelve ways to eject the cd.
http://www.osxfaq.com/dailytips/01-2003/01-16.ws
You indicate you are running on a g5, but 10.6 doesn't run on on a G5.
On a PowerPC-based Macintosh (but not an Intel-based Macintosh), you may use Open Firmware to eject a CD or DVD disc when normal methods for ejecting it have not succeeded.
Immediately after the startup sound, press and hold the key combination Command-Option-o-f. Enter commands:
eject cd
mac-boot
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106752