My Mac Mini will not read TDK disks from my iMac G3.

Question

My Mac Mini will not read TDK disks from my iMac G3.
I used an iMac G3 (2001) -- the ones that looked like a big pod -- running on OS X and saved files to TDK  CD-R, 700 MB disks, which worked fine. Now that I have a Mac Mini (model number  A1347) I cannot get this computer to read those disks, made on the iMac G3.  Once inserted each disk will open and I can retrieve files for a short period, then the problems start. The computer makes some noises, the beach-ball/pinwheel goes around and I cannot get the files to open or the disk to eject. After a while the disk does eject -- to my relief. I keep using Control+E until ejection happens.
My Mac Mini (2010-2011) is hooked up to a View Sonic HDMI LED monitor, an iOmega external hard-drive for backing up, an Epson Stylus C88 Plus printer and to the internet by a fibre 10MB feed. The Mac Mini runs on OS X version 10.6.8 Snow Leopard: Processor Speed:2.66 GHz
I took the Mac Mini to an Apple retailer and he hooked the computer up to one of his monitors and it read the TDK disks just fine. I am now using Sony CD-RW, 700 MB disks, but I would prefer to use my TDKs because I have such a large pile of blank ones to use and there are those TDK disks with information that I want to look at from time to time. Can anyone tell me what to do?
DJG

Answer 1

Try disconnecting everything attached to the Mini except the monitor.
If that doesn't work, try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later. If successful, copy the files to the original account Public/Dropbox.
Isolating an issue by using another user account
If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account.  Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.
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