Reading old CDs

We have CDs dating from 2000 with information we want to keep. Right now I can't find a computer that will read the CDs. When I put it into my G4 OS 10.4.7, it spits it back out. When I put it on a G4 OS 10.3.9, it doesn't show up and won't eject it. When I put it on a G3 OS 9.2.2, I get the message it is unreadable, but at least it will eject.
Any suggestions on what to do to find something to read these old CDs?
Thanks.
Linda

"it doesn't matter if the disk were formated for a Pc, the mac should be able to read it."
That is not always a true statement. Many machines will not recognize some audio CDs, for example.
If one machine will recognize a CD and another will not, then the logical thing is to look at the differences between the machines. In this case, none of the computers recognize a mountable directory of files or contents.

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IMac not reading old cds?

My iMac (late 2009) is reading some CDs but not others. I put in the CD, it holds on to it for 30 seconds, then spits out without ever showing up on the desktop. The only difference I can tell between the ones it does read and the ones it doesn't is the age, the old ones it is having problems with (i.e. made in the 90s), the newer ones (maybe roughly 2000 and on) is fine. My work computer can read them fine. Any idea what's up?

Another help source (if you haven't already done so).
Go to your OS Help Menu. In the search field type dvd
Click on all the troubleshooting topics & Support Articles that pertain to your issue.
You can also do the same in Disk Utility. Open same up.
At the bottom left of the window, click on the purple button w/the "?" in the middle.
This will bring up the Help Menu.
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*** Your drive may need cleaning. Cleaning kits can be purchased from any store that sells CD/DVDs. ***

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singrres

Ok, I see now.. I think I am understanding things more. The cd you have was not actually an archived disc, but a disc used as a multi-write disc (ie it was used like a floppy disc where contents could be copied to it and edited at-will without finalizing the session). Also termed as Incremental Packet Writing. Unfortunatly the way that worked was the file system was managed by the burn software. That table of contents is now long gone (or if you recently created it, on what ever old computer you brought it from).
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Hello,
Possibly when you burned your CD you burned as a PC only. It is safer to burn 'Hybrids" PC or Mac. It may require burning another CD as per the above. (BUT: I burn CD's on a G5 but they can't be read on a G3!!!#@*%)

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I have all of my photos archived on CD - the earliest were burned in 2002 on an iBook. But I can't read any of these on my current iMac or MacBook. The disks are either ejected outright, or result in the perpetually spinning beach ball. Does anyone has any suggestions for how to rescue these files?

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How old are these CDs? Burned CDs can go 'bad", especially if done onto inexpensive media. I wouldn't expect that kind of failure rate though. Still, if the drive reads regular media it isn't the drive as such. I guess it could be the drive doesn't like your older CDs (it isn't a case of software), but usually it happened that old drives could not read burned CDs and not new drives not being able to read older burned CDs.
Are these audio CDs and do they play on another audio player?
http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php?topic=2640.0

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First, my MBP plays CDs fine, so it's not 10.5.7, at least in my case.
What happens when you insert an audio CD? Does it appear at all on the desktop?
Try a PRAM reset.
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The lasers for burning are different again.
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Hello
I believe it is an older ODD. Am I right?
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I saw this on a forum from about four years ago:
Trash the following folders:
com.apple.kernelcaches (from System/Library/Caches
extensions.kextcache (from System/Library
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Hey there wesley254,
It sounds like your audio cds are not being seen in iTunes when you insert them into your drive. I would use the troubleshooting in the following article about that very subject:
iTunes for Windows doesn't recognize my audio CDs
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1584
Verify Windows recognizes your optical drive
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Check for software updates
Microsoft or your computer's manufacturer may have released updated software. Check to see if there are updates to Windows or to the software that controls the drive. Check your computer manufacturer's website for updates, particularly for updates to the CD or DVD drive. If you bought the drive separately from the computer, check the drive manufacturer's website. In some cases, software drivers for other devices (such as video and sound cards) could affect how the CD or DVD drive works. Make sure your video and sound cards have the most current drivers.
Check for firmware updates
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Additional steps
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Burner software conflicts
If iTunes had previously been working and you recently installed some software that also includes CD burning capabilities (including Napster, Audible, or other online music store software), you may need to do a Repair installation of iTunes.
If iTunes still does not recognize audio CDs after you try these steps, it is possible that third-party software has installed device filters on your computer that are contributing to this issue. Learn more about device filters and how to resolve issues they cause.
To assist Apple in identifying affected drives, please provide feedback by running CD Diagnostics in iTunes
Click here for more information.
iTunes for Windows: Can't Import or Play Music From Audio CD
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Regards,
Sterling

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Hi -
As the subject indicates, I'm not sure what the best way is to read old archived mail....
Old mail was saved before I updated to Tiger, and don't know if that makes a difference.
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Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions.
You really need to repost over in the MacBook forums. The hardware is very different.
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I have a Tecra T9100 and the MAT****A DVDROM now won't*read burned CDs.
It has no problems when reading manufactured CDs / DVDs.
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Maybe you should check different CDs from different manufacturers and should change the burning speed to the slowest one.
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How i can read old message from jms topic or queue?

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Reading old CDs

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