Need to force CD/DVD drawer open on G4 flat panel iMac

Anybody know how to "force-open" the CD drawer on a flat panel iMac (G4 hemispherical base)? This one has a quirk - the eject button won't open the CD drawer until the OS has completely loaded. I just used software upgrade to update some apps and on restart, all I get is the spinning gear. I need to startup from the system CD, but I can't get the drawer open to insert it. Any ideas?

Hello and Welcome to Apple
Discussions.
You'll have to use the Open
Firmware method that a brody links to in his post
above.
The manual button to open the drive is
hidden on the iMac G4 and so not an option.
mrtotes
Since I'm getting a blank blue screen, Open Firmware is not an option. Any other ideas?

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Stuck: Need Disk repair but DVD drive dead and only have USB 1

[1 Ghz flat-panel iMac with USB 1 ports (no USB 2) and also Firewire 400]
I noticed a strange discrepancy (small but concerning) between the size of a folder on hard drive (folder of all mp3's with no subfolders) and the backup of the same folder on a mounted thumb drive.
(The size difference was not due to any invisible .DS_Store files and both folders are displayed in List view format.)
Disk Utility reports three things:
1. Incorrect number of thread records
2. Volume Bit Map needs minor repair
3. Checking volume information.
Volume free block count",0) [I might have mangled this line]
(It should be 13438611 instead of 13437937)
Here is the GOOD (but these are useless as explained under the "Bad"):
- I have a Tiger 10.4 boot DVD for a repair ==>but see below
- I also have a Disk Warrior disk (never used)
Here is the BAD:
- My built-in optical drive [Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-105] is -- I now discover - defunct and DEAD - it does not run the Tiger Boot DVD (in pristine shape).
- I bought an external SuperDrive (unopened) but I believe no boot from USB 1 is possible in PowerPC so a SuperDrive with USB 1 is useless.
Questions:
1.) Is there any way to boot from some external source (optical drive is DEAD) to run Disk Utility and/or Disk Warrior? -- I see none in this case! (gulp).
2.) More importantly (and this is my fundamental concern): Do the three Disk Utility hard drive issues constitute any direct threat to the integrity of my files?
I have almost everything backed up to duplicate thumb drives over these many months as standard practice.
Are these Disk Utility errors fully isolated to hard drive directory-keeping...or do these directory damage errors pose the possibility of mangling or harming my files or their metadata (filesize, etc.).
Put another way, when files are backed-up from a hard drive under the Disk Utility reports above, do they remain unharmed and undamaged by the situations reported by Disk Utility?
Thanks,
Bill

Jeff and Michael,
Thank you both for your generous and thoughtful input.
Michael: As I slept on it overnight, the exact same idea occurred to me of trying a Target Mode to the iMac from my Lion MacbookPro (I have it but stupidly have yet to use it much!).
I did buy a Firewire 800 (MBP) to Firewire 400 (iMac) adapter cable a few months ago!
CONCERN: Would there be potential compatibility issues or risks in running Lion 10.7's Disk Utility against the hard drive of the old OSX 10.4 iMac in Target Disk Mode?
==> Assuming an "it's ok" answer to the Target Disk question, would the majority of users agree that the Target Disk Mode would be more prudent than running:
fsck -fy in Single User Mode
I have never done fsck -fy before especially because I was under the impression there were issues with Journaled drived but from what I have read today...it looks ok to do)
Jeff: Can't thank you enough for the reference to the OTW DVD drive. I might first invest $10 in one of those DVD lens cleaner disks that I've read about. It's probably not the issue or else why would the drive read commercial Music cds perfectly well!
Thanks,
Bilil

Re: Satellite Pro A300 - DVD drawer does not open most of the time

I have a Satellite Pro A300-1NH laptop. The DVD drawer does not open most of the time. Occasionally it does, but most of the time it does not.
Sometimes if I manage to get a DVD/CD into the drawer to burn something to, the burn works.
Most of the time the computer does not recognise that there is a disc there, and then I can't open the drawer again to get it out.
Can anyone tell a novice what I need to do to sort this out please?

Have you noticed this when you try to open drawer using eject button in the drawer itself?
Almost every player has integrated eject button. Can the drawer be opened using this eject button?

I'm having trouble with My adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Standard programs opening. They will bounce to open but won't open up and eventually I will need to force quit as they aren't responding. I'm thinking it may be a font issue but need some support A

I'm having trouble with My adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Standard programs opening. They will bounce to open but won't open up and eventually I will need to force quit as they aren't responding. I'm thinking it may be a font issue but need some support ASAP!

Nobody can tell you anything without proper system info or other technical details like the crash logs.
Mylenium

I recently upgraded to Lion, and immediately started having consistent problems with Open Office 12 (would hang, and need a Force quit to recover). Has anybody else seen these problems? Any solutions other than going back to Snow Leopard? (I did).

I recently upgraded to Lion, and immediately started having consistent problems with Open Office 12 (would hang, and need a Force quit to recover). Has anybody else seen these problems? Any solutions other than going back to Snow Leopard? (I did). But I'd like to use iCloud with iPad.

Hi Pete. The repair of disk permissions can help resolve any application crashing or misbehaving.
As for Lion and the two camps, I think that is a reasonable observation. In my office we have about a dozen Mac's and about one third of those Mac's had problems after updating from 10.6 to 10.7. The main problem for these Mac's was a loss of wifi stability. But for the other two-thirds, Lion was a smooth transition.
Personally, my Lion experience was fine. But I did get a new i7 MacBook Pro with Lion already installed and only had to migrate my user data from a 10.6.8 TM backup.
So I think that is a key for Lion's operational success. A clean install of Lion on a new Mac would not cause too many operational issues. But an installation, or more correctly, an update to Lion from SL increased the chances of failure for some users - especially when old software & plugins resided on the Mac. And I would say that they were the people that you saw at the Apple store.
As for the "latest release of Lion fixed my problems" statement, my experience with these and other forums is that people mostly only go there to complain about the problems they are having. If they are having no problems then they either keep it to themselves or they try to help the users who are experiencing trouble...

Importing CD then DVD player opens

Hi All
My friend has just freaked out.
She is completely Mac and Computer new so i thought i'd ask on her behalf as she'd need an hours tutoring on how to post a question.
She's tried to import a CD into itunes. Normal.
Then, drive starts making a whirring noise, lots of spinning and the DVD player opens and asks her to insert a DVD.
Nothing responds so I told her to force quit, eject the CD and restart itunes.
She tried it again and it was fine. Phew!
She only had it for 9 days so it's a baby and she could take it back if this is a known issue.
Any ideas you lot?

I'm not aware of any problems with the optical drive. I understand though the concern following this symptom. As you say, there are still four days left; see how the next couple of days go.
Either way, if these symptoms return after the 14 day period, the MacBook does come with a one year warranty and the optical drive, if required, will be replaced free of charge.
It's your (or your friend's) call as to whether you feel you should exchange it now or not.
As for the default CDs & DVDs preferences are concerned, users (any users) can and do go exploring and playing around with preference settings. Nothing wrong with that. It may also be that an application was installed that inavertently changed the preferences.
Kryten

If I do a clean install on my MacBook Pro will I be able to re-install apps (FCP, Aperture, MS Office etc.) from a Time Machine backup, or will I need the original install DVDs with authorization codes?

I have two questions...
1) If I do a clean install on my MacBook Pro will I be able to re-install apps (FCP, Aperture, MS Office etc.) from a Time Machine backup, or will I need the original install DVDs with authorization codes? (because I don't have them)
2) Has anyone ever seen anything like this before on their computers?
The Apple Genius' were stumped by my laptop issues and said they'd never seen anything like it before and recommended I did a clean install. Below you can see my trash bin, and if you look at the "Empty" button it reads "N201" and then there's the "N39" to the left of it. You can also see these numbers over by the folder area--"SD5, SD6, SD7." But that's not all...
When I right click on items I see the numbers again. Instead of "Open with" I get "N152" and there's an "N35" and "LB1" towards the bottom.
I have no idea what's going on so I'm just going to do a clean install on my machine but I don't want to lose my apps. I don't have the original install DVDs for them anymore. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Thanks!

You don't lose them. You can always redownload them from the app store after you log back in with your Apple ID.
"Buy, download, and even redownload.
You can install apps on every Mac you use and even download them again. This is especially convenient when you buy a new Mac and want to load it with apps you already own."

Need to Access the dvd on another computer

I need to access a dvd player on another mac to install some software and i have followed the apple instructions below for sharing another computers dvd and everything works until its time for me to select remote disk under devices...there is nothing there to select...The other mac shows that it is sharing it dvd player...the internet connection is working as i am able to share that computers screen but cant get it to provide me with "remote disk"...any thoughts?? I do not have an internal DVD player it has been turned into a second hard Drive...thank again
To access a DVD or CD on another computer:
Make sure both computers are on the same network (wired or wireless), and the DVD or CD Sharing software is installed on the computer with the optical drive.
Make sure the computer with the optical drive is set up to share the disc.
On a computer with Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sharing, and then select the “DVD or CD Sharing” checkbox. Select “Ask me before allowing others to use my DVD drive” if you want to be notified when a computer tries to access the drive.
On a computer with Windows XP or Vista: Open the DVD or CD Sharing control panel and select “Enable Remote DVD or CD.” Select “Ask me before allowing others to use my DVD drive” if you want to be notified when a computer tries to access the drive.
Insert the disc into the optical drive.
On the computer without the optical drive, select Remote Disc under Devices in a Finder window sidebar. If you see the “Ask to use” button, click it.

If you are using two Macs you can try to do this via Target Disk Mode. Info here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583

Both DVD drives open in bootcamp

I'm running bootcamp on a MacPro with dual DVD's. When I use the keyboard to open the top DVD drawer, BOTH of them open, first the top, then the bottom. That's going to make it inconvenient to use the DVD drives separately.
BTW, neither of them close with the keyboard.
Anyone else having this result, and is there a fix?
MacBook Pro 2.0/MacPro 2.66 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

The easiest way to use thew optical drives in WIndows is to put a shortcut to each optical drive on your Windows desktop, then you can right click the shortcut icon and select Eject from the popup menu. Gives you individual control.
You still have to push the trays to get them to close.
Tom N.

Keep the styles drawer open in Pages 5?

I searched a bit and didn't see anything on it. Please forgive if this has been answered. Is there a way to keep the styles drawer open as in previous versions? My workflow is to type in everything I want - as in a screenplay - and then use the arrow keys and mouse button to quickly descend the document and change the styles as I go. As in keep the mouse on a particular style (CHARACTER NAME, for instance) and then as I hit a paragraph that needs that style just click while arrowing down...
Anyway...I don't see a way to do this in the new version.
TIA.
David

UPDATE -- I have discovered a fix of sorts. Sorry if this is obvious.
Go to VIEW / Customize toolbar and drag in "copy style" and "paste style"
you can also access these from FORMAT menu or via command-option-C; command-option-V
Use this function to copy the style you wish to apply
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Not as good as the old way, but probably more efficient than constantly re-opening the drawer..

I am using iPhoto 11 and my library has 736.5mb on disk. I have problems with iPhoto stalling and needing to force quit. I have rebuilt my library. Can you suggest anything else?

I am using iPhoto 11 and my library has 736.5mb on disk. I have problems with iPhoto stalling and needing to force quit. I have rebuilt my library. Can you suggest anything else? Thanks, Rose

Make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of the library and try the following:
1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your
User/Home()/Library/ Preferences folder.
2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your
User/Home()/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder.
Click to view full size
3 - launch iPhoto and try again.
NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
NOTE 2: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and hit the Enter button - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.
If that does'nt help log into another user account on your Mac and try iPhoto from there.

After effects gets stuck at 98% loading a file..... Needed to force quit over a dozen times

I've been working color grading about a minute of footage in AE, and imported that comp into Premiere Pro.
The color grading file was dealing with lots of different pieces of footage that make up the sequece. I need to open the AE file in order to render it, but it gets stuck at 98% loaded and freezes up. I've needed to force quit at least a dozen times. Is there a fix to this? Do I need to rebuild the file?
I work on a macbook pro with 16GB of ram and an i7 3.6Ghz processor so I should have no problem with these files. In fact, I also do work with an animation studio, and we work with large 5k image sequences plus digital faces plus other elemets, and their files are much larger.
Please help quickly! I'm on a deadline and can't proceed until this is fixed.
Thanks,
Bear
Oh, and if it helps at all, I'm using the CS6 version.

Does the AE project file open? Render out the clips, then quit AE. Import the clips into Premiere. Deadline met.
I'm on an HP Workstation with 24GB RAM and I wouldn't even think about trying to import an AE project file into PP for critical work.

Drive drawer opens suddenly at startup Leopard Mac OS 10.5

Hi- running into an odd problem, for a few weeks now- At each startup, even before the login window appears, the drive drawer opens - I'm unable to close it again until after login has complete - therefore, unable to restart from a cd/dvd, for example.
Who could help me ?
Thank you in advance .

Not really sure what may help, you could try a few things
...and hope one of them works.
• Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
• Resetting the 'power management chip' in your Mac:
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/resetpmchip.html
If there is no hardware problem, only a minor logic one, you
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You may be able to use the optical drive of another Mac
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Do you have a second, known-good, keyboard? You could
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PS: There may be a way, in single-use boot mode, to access
the computer and make it start up from the optical drive. I don't
know how to do that, though.
Have you looked into the System Profiler> software> logs, for
any log entries that may point to an issue on startup? Maybe
in the Console log files (there are several) there is something.
Good luck & happy computing!
{ edited }

Dvd drive opens by it self

I bought a HP Pavilion HPE h8xt series it just came today. I set everything up and right when I turn it on, the dvd drive opens automatically.. Whenever i try to close it, it opens again. I have to force close it buy blocking it from opening again and pushing it back in. It stops opening by itself for a while, but after about 10 minutes, the opening process starts again. There is a orange disc icon flashing next to the blue wireless icon. Any ideas/help please?

Hi itzraywhy
I don't know what's up with the dvd drive (and I would not be forcing it closed!), but that orange flashing light is showing hard drive read/write activity. That's normal.
Good luck.

DVD Drive Opens Unexpectedly

On my HP dv7-7030us laptop, the DVD drive opens unexpectedly. This happens often and is very annoying. Does anyone have a solution? This has been a problem from the time that I first purchased the computer and I thought that it was just a setting that I would discover a fix for later.

Hi itzraywhy
I don't know what's up with the dvd drive (and I would not be forcing it closed!), but that orange flashing light is showing hard drive read/write activity. That's normal.
Good luck.

Need to force CD/DVD drawer open on G4 flat panel iMac

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