CD Won't Eject

[Mal]

Ok, so my cd drive in my PB G4 12" is dead, and I have a CD that I can't get out. It's not mounted on the desktop, but randomly makes noises like it's trying to spin up, but can't get going fast enough. I've tried the terminal commands, I've tried restarting with the mouse button down, everything I know of, and it's not working. Any ideas? I'm stuck!

jW

 

[Mernak]

i dont know the about a PB G4, but this happened to my ibook G3 and there was a small hole(emergency eject) on the top right of the drive, i just straighted a paperclip and poked it in there, and it ejected fine.

 

[baby duck monge]

i dont know the about a PB G4, but this happened to my ibook G3 and there was a small hole(emergency eject) on the top right of the drive, i just straighted a paperclip and poked it in there, and it ejected fine.

There is a similar hole on the slot-loading drives, and I even think it's in the same place. It's behind the little dust filter, though, so you have to get a light to peek in there.

 

[TMA]

I've managed to free a stuck disk on an iBook G4 by using a combination of multiple restarts (holding down mouse button) and very gently angling the computer whilst gently prizing the optical drive 'mouth' open with a screwdriver.

What had happened was someone had put a CD in that had a chunk of cellotape stuck on top, so to get it out required a slight widening of the slot.

 

[Mal]

Thanks guys, none of those worked this time (normally, I think they would have, but this is a weird computer). There doesn't seem to be a paper clip hole on this drive, I searched around and couldn't find anything, but my dad (the former owner of this computer who apparently had a similar problem before) gave me the winning suggestion I thought I'd share.

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY DESPERATE!!!

I simply placed the computer level, started it up (holding the mouse button down, but not sure that made a difference), and hit it hard just under the cd drive several times. After the 8th or 9th hit, the cd dislodged enough to eject on it's own. My cd drive was already dead, or I might not have attempted this, but it did work and could be a lifesaver for someone, as my computer was not even willing to start up with that cd in the drive (not sure why).

Thanks ya'll!

jW

 

[neocell]

Just incase for next time:

On boot up hold down option + command + o + f to get into open firmware (I believe that's what it's called) then type "eject cd" without the quotes. Worked everytime for me with my G4 PB

 

[QuarterSwede]

Just incase for next time:

On boot up hold down option + command + o + f to get into open firmware (I believe that's what it's called) then type "eject cd" without the quotes. Worked everytime for me with my G4 PB

If this is a mechanical problem, a software solution isn't going to help.

Good to hear you go the cd free. Now go and get a new drive!

 

[yoyodl]

my solution to the problem...

This may not be the most tech savvy way to do it, but this is how I've solved the problem of a CD that won't eject. Mind you I have multiple macs at home so that's why I have the option.... here goes: set up the mac with the stuck cd to start up in target mode (firewire cable and firewire slot on "stuck" mac needed), when the cd appears on the desktop of your "helper" mac simply eject the cd from that mac's desktop..it should spit it right out. Hope that helps.