[iMac 24" 2008 model] SuperDrive Problems

[mrsk]

Recently a CD got stuck in my SuperDrive. The iMac tried to eject the CD, but it got stuck and pulled back again almost instantly. After a bit of time hesitating I decided to try and pry the CD out of the drive by force. Although it didn't really work, the CD was caught in a sort of infinite eject-get-stuck-pull-back-in loop and - much to my surprise - the SuperDrive finally managed to eject it after around 30 minutes.

This would be all fine, if not for one slight problem. I think I might have broken my SuperDrive. When inserting another DVD/CD, it basically repeats the above mentioned process of not getting a good grip on the DVD, ejecting it, pulling it back in and finally spitting it out after 5-10 unsuccessful tries.

Now, my question:
Is there anything I can do that doesn't involve replacing the SuperDrive? I didn't buy AppleCare back then (and I'm extremely annoyed by my decision, because after precisely 1 year and 1 month the problems started...), so letting Apple replace it will cost me dearly. So yeah, I'm really hoping there is something I can do that doesn't involve spending cash.

If, however, the drive is dead... the drive in question is a Pioneer DVR-K06A, which I can't seem to find for sale anywhere. Can I just buy any replacement slim/slot-in/ATA drive? Or does it have to be that specific model? Or would I be better off just buying an external DVD burner until I scrounge together enough cash for a new Mac?

Thanks in advance.

 

[forcefieldkid]

I'm not sure replacing it through Apple would cost all that much actually, have you asked? You could also try a local repair company that deals with macs, one near me replaced my Power Mac G5 drive for £50.

 

[mrsk]

I'm not sure replacing it through Apple would cost all that much actually, have you asked? You could also try a local repair company that deals with macs, one near me replaced my Power Mac G5 drive for £50.

In Germany, we don't really have Apple Stores (actually there are now 2 I believe), only retailers who specialise in Macs. But even those tend to be pretty expensive. Even though my local store is very fair, they still charge Apple prices for the replacement hardware, so in the end I'll end up paying a lot more. My last HDD was easily the price I would've paid if I justbought the exact same model and put it in by myself.
Although I'm still hoping I can resolve this without any hardware replacement at all.

 

[forcefieldkid]

In Germany, we don't really have Apple Stores (actually there are now 2 I believe), only retailers who specialise in Macs. But even those tend to be pretty expensive. Even though my local store is very fair, they still charge Apple prices for the replacement hardware, so in the end I'll end up paying a lot more. My last HDD was easily the price I would've paid if I justbought the exact same model and put it in by myself.
Although I'm still hoping I can resolve this without any hardware replacement at all.

Either way, it may be worth asking around before you make any decision on what to do. You might get a nice surprise

 

[mrsk]

Heh, yeah.. I suppose you're right. Although the idea that I could've probably bought a low-end iMac with what I've paid for repairs on my old iMac really doesn't help

Edit: Re-reading my post above.. I forgot to add a "double". Paid easily double the price I would've paid for the HDD. What the shop charged for replacing the drive was pretty cheap, it's just that the HDD was so expensive, I could've gotten 2 for the price *sigh*