Superdrive noises at wake up?

Not sure if anyone else has this issue, but my superdrive in my 15" MacBook Pro makes some funny noises since I loaded Snow Leopard. I realize Apple released firmware updates for the Mini and iMac, but we really need one for the MacBook Pro...
Sorry if this has been covered earlier, so if it has please let me know. If not, is anyone else having the same issue?

I was having this problem today. It sounded like it was trying to eject a DVD with a kind of jazzy rhythm. I assumed that there was a DVD stuck in there that I had forgotten about that wasn't showing on the desktop and tried all the "force eject DVD" advice I could find. Eventually resigned myself to probably having to get it taken apart and fixed.
I just tried sticking a CD in to see if it would nudge something into place and the CD went in and spun up - so the drive was empty all along. It ejected with no problem as well.
Since then, the noise has been back to the quiet hum that it was before, not the 3-stage jazz solo that had everyone in the office sniggering ...

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MacBook optical drive has started making noises at wake and restart

This MacBook is about 5 months old and the optical drive has just started making noises at wake from sleep, or at restart. There is no disc loaded in the drive, but the noise is as though a disc has been inserted in the drive and it is attempting to read it. This goes on for about 5 to 10 seconds, then stops.
The optical drive seems to work fine, reads CDs and DVDs no problem. This isn't a glaring issue, I'm just trying to determine if it is the precursor to a mechanical problem, or is possibly some sort of software glitch. Thanks for help if this rings a bell with anyone.

I posted this to a different thread earlier today. I will add that most of the experience I've had with this issue is in Tiger or Leopard. I don't think I've seen it yet with Snow Leopard. My instincts tell me it is more of a hardware issue than a software/OS issue. (Just my $0.02.)
I have seen this many times. (I support 100+ Mac Laptops, most are 13" MacBooks.)
Just to clarify, MacBook optical drives do normally make some quiet noises when waking from sleep.
When there is a CD or DVD in the drive, there are some soft sounds, and then you hear the disc spin up. When there is not a disc in the drive you hear a different sound. I assume it is relating to checking for a disc in the drive. To me, it sounds exactly the same as the quiet sounds you hear right before the "Good Chime" when you power up.
BUT, sometimes MacBooks make a much louder noise, that is similar the sound you hear when you insert or eject a CD or DVD, only sort of "doubled". Usually you hear it when waking from sleep, but I have also experienced it happen intermittently when the MacBook is turned on, under normal use, or not being used (but not sleeping or waking from sleep).
In the past, I have sometime cured it with a reset of the SMC and PRAM. This has not always worked. I have also seen it disappear after inserting a disc into the drive. Most of the time, the sound has returned some time later. I have called Apple on this issue several times, and sent the MacBook in for repair. My memory is that they have replaced the optical drive under AppleCare.
I will add that I have recently seen this Knowledge Base Article (below), with instructions for "resetting" the optical drive on a MacBook Pro, but it did work for me on a MacBook 13". Insert a disc halfway, take it back out, then put it in all the way.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2839
Past experience tells me not to be surprised if the noise resurfaces. My advice is call Apple if you have AppleCare, or if the MacBook is under one year old.
Good Luck.

SuperDrive makes noises on wake-up & restart after replacement

I had problems with my Super-drive (won't write DVD) on MacBookPro4,1 (early 2008, MBP41.00C1.B03) and got it replaced from an Apple-Care center. But now it is making noises on restart & Wake-up.
I read about a similar issue with Late 2008,2009 Editions of Macbook Pro. I also know that a firmware update is out that addresses this issue on late 2008,2009 MacBook Pros. I guess that my replaced DVD drive (HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N) is the type being used by the Late 2008, 2009 Macbook Pros. But since my firmware is Early 2008 the update wont install.
Can someone help me regarding this issue. Can i update manually (i.e by not using the installer package)?
Thanx

What kind of noises is it making? After start/wake up some noise is normal (well, on my machine anyway) as the drive is checked for media.

SuperDrive Noise at Awakening and Startup

I never noticed this before but whenever I wake my computer from sleep the Superdrive makes a quick strange noise like it is just checking the drive (something moves). Is this normal?

The optical drives on all my portable Macs and Mac minis all make a similar 'swishing' noise, so I think what you are hearing is quite normal.

Current Mac Mini Superdrive noise/vibrataion...Resolutions?

I've got a Mac Mini that I purchased around September or October of last year, so it's the current generation that's in the Apple Store right now. When the drive spins up anywhere near full speed, whether reading or burning, the excessive noise and vibration makes it almost intolerable to stay in the room with it. It's definitely not "normal" by any stretch of the word. No disc burning has failed because of this, but it does seem to take excessive amounts of time to burn full discs. Also, this weekend I installed Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 on my 2008 Black Macbook and it took around an hour to complete the install. I did the same install from the same DVD on my current Mac Mini and after well over 2 hours of installing and only getting to about 60% progress, I gave up and went to bed while it finished. So same speed drive, close to the same processor, 4 times the RAM...and the Mac Mini takes at least 3 times as long to accomplish the same install. That's not acceptable at all. Granted, I don't use the drive all that often, but when I do I want it to work, and to work efficiently and properly.
I've searched the discussions and see threads from over a year ago on this topic, but nothing recent. Wondering what the latest verdict is on these issues and if Apple has been replacing these as of late and/or has acknowledged the problem. I'm still within the standard 1 year warranty, but also have Applecare, so warranty is not really an issue. I've only found a couple people for whom Apple has fixed this (and then they just replaced the whole machine), and those have all said that the noise was not quite as bad, but that it was still not normal in the replacement machines, and even then that was after 2-3 replacements. I don't want to go through the hassle of replacing my machine multiple times and having to keep restoring from Time Machine backups only to have a machine that isn't quite as noisy. The noise I could honestly deal with if I had to (but I shouldn't), it's the excessively long read/write times that I can't accept. So any new news on this before I go to the trouble to take it to the Apple Store?

Right, and that's what I would fully expect. However, I'm looking for people who have recently had the problem, have taken theirs in for repair (warranty or not) and if the issue was fully resolved or if it was still a problem, even if it wasn't quite as bad as before. If I'm still going to have the issue after a drive repair/replacement I don't want to waste my time taking it in and being without a machine for a few days. I want to know current experiences with the superdrives on the last gen Mac Mini.

Superdrive noise after Genius Bar replacement

Hello,
after a superdrive replacement at Genius Bar, this one is doing noise at start and when Macbook Pro 5,1 exits from sleep.
I check the firmware version and it's KA19.
I try to applicate the Superdrive Firmware Update 3.0 that i had from an old time machine bakcup (because i can't install it from this link : http://support.apple.com/kb/DL975 ) but it's annoucing that the Firmware is already applied (i did it 2 years ago with the old superdrive).
My system version is 10.7.3
What can i do and how i can apply this update to suppress this noise ?
Thank you for your requests and sorry for the english i'm french !

"It always came on whether from a Cold boot or from waking from sleep. It is the system checking the drive. You may of not heard it before but it was happening. Just changing the drive would not change the normal function of the computer."
Sorry to say that but it's not true.
I have a mi-2012 MacBook Pro and during 4 months, it never did the noise when waking from sleep.
Now it does this check when it's waking from a long sleep and i hate this mecanic noise from my silent MacBook
I would love to disable Superdrive completely because i don't use it at all but nobody has helped me doing this ..
If somebody knows how to prevent this behaviour and go back like before, or to completely stop SuperDrive, i would be happy ..

Noise on wake up, Hel...

A couple of days ago I noticed the right speaker on my Macbook started to make a "swoosh" sound (even with the volume turned completely down). This happens after I have waked up the Macbook from sleep and entered by login password... the "swoosh" noise only lasts for about 1 or 2 seconds then it's gone until the next time I wake up my Macbook.
Has anyone had similar experience? Any suggestions on what I should do? Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide.

That sounds like a harmonic vibration that can sometimes happen if you have RF nearby that is oscilating at the same frequency. TVs can sometimes pick up CB radios and retransmit them over their speakers even when the TV is off!
Unless other symptoms are there, I wouldn't worry about it. I would though always keep a backup of my data at all times as my FAQ states:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html

Intel Aluminum iMac Superdrive Noise Issue

Does anyone else notice that the superdrive inside the iMac makes more noise than the average hair dryer? It is so bad that I cannot even enjoy my DVD. Thank you.

Well, I figured out that it is superdrive "related" now thanks to you. I cannot prevent the noise from occurring with any optical media disc. It seems that the fans kick on and it isn't the superdrive itself making all of the noise. I reset and did all of that stuff, but I believe it's not just my superdrive. My friend has the same iMac and his makes the same "ka-chunk-chunk-tak-tak-varoom-varoom". Excellent description of that noise by the way. I could not have done better myself. Anyway, Seems that it could be the fans, most likely need a new driver/firmware? Could be hardware and that is just the way it is or I am missing something in my system files used to quiet that thing down. I cannot believe it is even an issue. My iMac G4 has a tray loader drive and it's super quiet compared to this $2000 vacuum cleaner machine. Thanks for your help and I may take it in for service depending on what else goes on with my 10.5.2 system. The other day, I counted 10 bugs just as I was working on it for about an hour or two. So many issues and hopefully some updates fix these messes. Now that I mention it...It seems that the eject key ejects the media differently than using the GUI. It spins the disc down and comes out faster with the key on my keyboard, but takes forever and makes a weird quick buzz sound when clicking the eject button in Finder. Input from anyone is appreciated!

USB SuperDrive noises when moved

My Apple USB SuperDrive makes loud screeching and rattling noises when I turn it while it's spinning. I do realize there is a plastic disc inside spinning at high RPMs, but a mobile drive should be designed to withstand some movement? I'm not used to hearing these noises from other slot-loading SuperDrives. Can anyone try this and either confirm or deny that I have a bad drive?

If your hinge is defective, you can probably get it replaced if it cannot be adjusted. Just be sure to report it to Apple before your warranty expires or consider getting 3 year Applecare. It sounds like it's binding. My hinge is silent, which is what I think is normal. I have heard of hinges that seem too tight as well as of hinges that seem to be too loose. If the hinge is too tight and binding, I would worry about having to exert too much force to open and close it and possibly causing other damage. I would have Apple look at it.
Good luck!
Good luck!

Loud Popping Noise when wake from sleep

On my new iMac CD 20" there is a load popping noise that comes from the speakers when I wake it up from sleep. Also, the hard-drive or the super-drive clicks a few when waken from sleep. Yesterday there was a static noise coming from the speakers while I was using the machine on the web, it was load enough to be annoying, I restarted it and the sound went any. I am wondering if any others have noticed this problem and should I take it back for a new one.
My wife has even said that the sounds don't seem right.
Any feedback would be great!
Thanks.
20" Intel iMac and 12 P-book- 867 MHz Mac OS X (10.4.4)

I conducted some tests on my iMac, and the problem, as it were, is related to having external speakers connected to my iMac. When I unplug my external speakers (JBL Encounter), I do not hear the pop upon waking my iMac from sleep. When I plug the speakers in again, the pop returns. I do not hear the pop when I mute the speakers before putting the iMac to sleep, either.
To rule out other devices, I unplugged all external devices and then reconnected them one at a time. Only the speakers triggered the pop.
I don't think this is a defect necessarily, even though I never heard the popping sound when waking my iMac G5 from sleep (with the same set of speakers). I think it may, as I suggest above, have something to do with the change in processors.
I may call Apple just the same to see what its tech. support people have to say on the matter.
Do those others of you experiencing the popping sound also have external speakers?

Strange noise on wake/power on

Hi everyone,
After about 2 months of usage I noticed that my rMBP emits a wierd, spin-like noise from below the right side of the keyboard when waking from sleep or on power on.
I've uploaded a sample I recorded with my iPod: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwWAoQidwCwbWGtYUFpjZF9FQ1E/edit?usp=sharing
Please turn on your volume when listening the sample as it's a bit low and the sound only lasts about half a second. You can hear it at the beginning of the file.
Possibly the problem was present on purchase, but the first time I've noticed it was a few weeks ago.
Is this noise normal? Anyone else had a similar experience?
Thank you!

Thanks for your reply Barry,
I also suspected the fan, as there are no other moving parts in the computer.
It seems strange though that it always starts with a loud spin regardless of temperature.

Superdrive noise & warm discs

I've just made the switch fom a windows pc & have had my 17" iMac for 6 days.
I installed the upgrade to iLife '08 & the drive was rather noisy during the process, I've tried other discs - an audio cd, a DVD & a CD of photos, which had the noise a little when they first started up. I haven't yet tried to burn any discs. The only way I can think of to describe the noise is like an old printer working!?
And all the discs were pretty warm when I ejected them.
My question is: Is this normal (cos I have no idea!)?
Thanks in advance.

with the posistion the drive is in it can show extra disc noise if the discs are slightly uneven. You'll find some discs worse than others - think its down to how good the manufacturing is. Nothing to worry about - the discs are warm from the heat generated by the drives motor - nothing to worry about. Had a number of imacs for years and all were the same - various amounts of isc noise warm discs etc.

Clattering noise from Superdrive

My iMac G5 has started making a fairly loud clattering noise during wake from sleep and when ejecting an optical disk. It lasts about 1 second or so and is coming from the area next to the disk slot on the right side of the screen. I am assuming it's the superdrive making the racket. The superdrive itself has no problem reading and writing CDs and DVDs.
This is definitely a new phenomenon that just recently started. Aside from being disconcerting it is causing no functional problems. I use my iMac everyday in a home business and hate to have to lose it to be serviced. Has anyone else experienced this anomaly? Is there a way to fix this yourself?
Thanks for any friendly counsel on this!
iMac G5 Rev B Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I have the same loud electric razor-like noise while burning discs. Someone had mentioned previously they find it soothing or whatever, I certainly do not. It's actually quite emberrassing when people to whom I extoll Mac virtues are here when it happens. Far too loud and disconcerting for me. What is to be done for it? I hope this isn't my 2nd consecutive Mac with super-drive issues...
Rich

Issue with SUPERDRIVE FIRMWARE UPDATE 3.0

Hi! I'm having what I feel is a small issue with the SuperDrive Firmware Update 3.0 that Apple released on August 31st, 2009. Software Update suggested I apply this update, as my SuperDrive's firmware (HL-DT-ST DVDRW GA11N) was KA15 and needed to be updated to KA16. Apple said on their website that this upgrade would "eliminate the noise made by the optical disk drive during system startup and wake from sleep" (as seen on http://support.apple.com/downloads/SuperDriveFirmware_Update_30). I installed it and restarted my iMac.
However, the SuperDrive's noise was not gone; it's still as loud as it was before. When I turn the iMac on, the things that I hear are, first the fans (or whatever that sound is), then the SuperDrive noise and finally, the iMac's startup sound.
Did I do something wrong? Am I missing something? Is this normal? I followed every instruction the Firmware Update installer gave me, but the noise isn't gone...
I tried to re-install it but then it would tell me that my computer wasn't eligible for the upgrade because the firmware was already up-to-date... Oh, and by the way, the SuperDrive does not make any noise when waking up from sleep mode, so it only has to do with the startup process.
I'd really appreciate some info on this issue...
Thanks!

Hi
you are not alone, same behaviour for me: drive is not making noise when waking from sleep, but does when starting up.
I tried resetting PRAM in case it helps, but no luck.
Not that it annoys me, I can live with this, but the update clearly doesn't do what it says.

Noise made when (dis)connecting the charger

Hi,
just got my Z1C 2 days ago - very happy with it but my main frustration is the annoying noise which the phone makes when I plug it in or disconnect the charger.
I doubt it is relevant but so far I only use the magnetic charhing point - does it also occur with the micro-USB charger?
if it cannot be switched off then I might turn all the notifications or alerts off - does anyone know what "type of noise" the Xperia classes this as?
I hope I can switch it to silent!
Thanks,
P
The evolution of man('s smartphone): Apple iPhone 3 (2008) *|* HTC Desire (2010) *|* Samsung Galaxy S3 (2012) *|* Sony Xperia Z1 Compact (2014)

Thanks alexdon for your help - and everyone else.
I still haven't worked out what the noise is although it is still an issue - I'd like to be able to plug it in (prefereably on the magnetic dock) at night next to my bed, but the noise will wake my wife!
I've been travelling for a week - hence the lack of focus on this for the last few days, but I'll now try to get to the bottom of it.
Has anyone who's reading this thread got a Z1 Compact and no noise when (dis)connecting a charger?
In Europe / UK?
The most frustrating thing is that it even happens in SILENT mode - all noises, ringtones, notifications OFF and it still makes a "clunk" when connecting and a "beep" when disconnecting"!
I tried the SAFE MODE boot and the noises were the same!
I'm not sure how to find out whether Vodafone have implemented this in some firmware (though I still think it's unlikley as there's no other hard / soft branding visible).
It is a company mobile and comes via a 3rd party Vodafone reseller. They are not particularly good technically when it comes to any specific phone, but I did ask them. Their answer was that they haven't come across these noises before and it might be worthwhile swapping the handset while it is less than 2 weeks old!
I think I'll take their advice!
The evolution of man('s smartphone): Apple iPhone 3 (2008) *|* HTC Desire (2010) *|* Samsung Galaxy S3 (2012) *|* Sony Xperia Z1 Compact (2014)

Superdrive noises at wake up?

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