While creating my mom's new website a video DVD with a self-printed paper cover got stuck in my MacBooks internal drive.
When pressing the eject button (usually mapped on the F12 key), the disc is moved a tiny bit and pulled back inside immediately afterwards. You can probably see only a very tiny bit if it, but that part can't be caught by regular tweezers or other tools available in a typical household.
I also unsuccessfully tried some tips for removing a stuck DVD floating around the web.
The solution is quite simple:
Try to use the shutter of an old 3,5" floppy disc and bend both ends of the shutter slightly outwards, so that the disc can easily slip between.
Now you have a tool that is thin enough to go a bit deeper into you Mac's slot-in drive. Press the eject button and try to catch a tiny part of the disc with your newly build tool. You should have a fairly good grip on the disc and you can start to pull it out – slowly!
It worked and my MacBook's drive hasn't taken any damage.
Warning:
This can easily ruin your disc or drive. When in doubt contact your local Apple service provider!


Update:
A commentator (see below) suggested a method that you should try out before mine:
I tried all of the above tips without success. Then I lifted the macbook so that the smartdrive opening was facing the ground, pressed the eject button and as the drive tried to eject the DVD , I gently shock it up and down to give the DVD a little G-force. The DVD popped out!
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Comments
sam (not verified)
2008, March 28 - 11:40
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Hi! I have exaclty the same
Anonymous (not verified)
2009, January 2 - 11:15
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he,s talkin bout the metal
Anonymous (not verified)
2009, July 1 - 06:06
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Seriously, try turning it to
avg. joe (not verified)
2010, November 5 - 01:20
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Well… this was interesting.
Brian (not verified)
2011, February 21 - 06:15
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Wow!! You are so right. I
lipflip
2008, March 28 - 12:37
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my macbook permanently tried
Happy birthday ... (not verified)
2008, May 27 - 00:00
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Pingback
Anonymous (not verified)
2009, May 18 - 05:27
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This worked for me: If you
Anonymous (not verified)
2008, June 5 - 17:41
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I had this problem the other
mookiemu (not verified)
2008, October 8 - 07:32
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Thanks! this worked like a
Awesome Tip! (not verified)
2010, September 30 - 23:50
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Sliding the cardboard in
Robin Greces (not verified)
2011, April 21 - 01:50
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This worked for me too. My
Mike (not verified)
2008, June 6 - 02:53
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Wow, nice. Finally, a use
closets (not verified)
2008, September 5 - 17:52
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I had a paper stickered DVD
Anonymous (not verified)
2009, January 12 - 04:28
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You are a genius! All of the
Anonymous (not verified)
2009, September 3 - 22:59
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not going to lie but you are
Anonymous (not verified)
2009, November 4 - 16:33
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With all respect .When the
lipflip
2009, November 4 - 17:01
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Every MacBook has an eject
Jason Blight (not verified)
2009, November 8 - 01:31
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This works great. I made the
Anonymous (not verified)
2010, October 15 - 13:48
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Outstanding. Like you I made
artistchris (not verified)
2008, September 20 - 22:29
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I used a seam ripper (sewing
Anonymous (not verified)
2009, January 19 - 14:52
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I found another way, but it
Jay Duff (not verified)
2009, June 4 - 21:26
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Brilliant! The shutter
Gio (not verified)
2009, June 24 - 15:11
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I’ve had a stuck dvd for 3
Francois (not verified)
2009, July 8 - 21:05
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I had a similar problem and
David (not verified)
2009, July 9 - 11:43
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Another great way to remove
peter (not verified)
2009, December 25 - 21:59
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After trying everything on
Jay (not verified)
2009, September 26 - 15:27
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Thank You very much. The
javad (not verified)
2009, November 26 - 15:58
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You are lucky that the twiser
Anonymous (not verified)
2009, October 9 - 22:02
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Wow! I was trying to get a cd
Anonymous (not verified)
2009, November 26 - 06:30
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Me too! Awesome relief. I
James (not verified)
2010, May 11 - 17:17
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Thanks very much - worked for
Alan Warner (not verified)
2011, April 23 - 21:21
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If you can hear the drive
Anonymous (not verified)
2010, February 24 - 15:22
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None of these worked for me
Anonymous (not verified)
2010, May 26 - 04:49
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Thank you so much!! The thin
Navin (not verified)
2010, November 8 - 06:12
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Put a business card into the
Lars H (not verified)
2010, November 13 - 22:00
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I’ve had a cd stuck in my
Gary (not verified)
2011, February 16 - 22:42
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None of these methods worked
BERT (not verified)
2011, March 30 - 07:42
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Pointed the mofo to the