iMac 27 Optical Drive problem

[scozzer]

My iMac 27 bought December 2010 using iOS 10.9.2 will recognize and show tiff files and it will play SOME of my music CDs. On both instances it takes ages for the files to boot.

It will NOT recognize other still images (jpg) not will it play some of my audio CDs Nor any video DVDs.
In both cases the disk is ejected and a window says it is not readable.

Sounds to me that the Optical drive itself is not the problem but that firmware likely is the cause.

Please advise course of action including compatible external optical drives

Phil Schofield

 

[Satori]

Zap the PRAM and Reset the SMC. Could work if it is not a hardware problem.

 

[Fishrrman]

The drive's lens may be dirty.

There are "cleaning CDs" available, might help.

I'd check google first, to see what others have done to clean the internal drive...

 

[scozzer]

I have cleaned the drive (compressed air), reset the PRAM and the SMC without effect. I did notice earlier that the computer was not responding to the power button but that seems OK now since the resets.
As I said before, the optical drive plays music CDs and recognizes .tif files but doesn't recognize video and .jpg files.
Apple on-line Support suggests that if the above resets don't work then the computer may need a new internal battery. Can I test the internal battery without taking everything apart ?

Should add that all this is pushing my ability-envelope <g>