Removing a stuck CD/DVD from a MacBook
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!
Did it work? Consider donating a hot cup of coffee if this tip saved you from opening your Laptop or even bringing it to your Apple Service provider. Thanks!
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Hi! I have exaclty the same
Hi! I have exaclty the same problem but i can’t remove it! what exactly did you insert into the cd slot? i didn’t really understand. And did you push the eject button to?
he,s talkin bout the metal
he,s talkin bout the metal part on a floppy disk
my macbook permanently tried
my macbook permanently tried to eject the disk. every 20 seconds or so. but the cd got stuck every time and it didn’t get far enough, so i couldn’t grab them with my figers or normal pincers.
hence I build my own ultra-thin pincers out of the shutter of an old 3,5” disk. however you have to bend the tips of your pincers outwards, otherwise the cd will only touch your and you aren’t able to pull it out. wait a sec. i’ll sketch it. :)
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This worked for me: If you
This worked for me: If you computer keeps trying to eject the CD and give the message that “there was an error in reading the CD”, hit “ignore: - then keep the computer on for about 10 minutes - turn your computer upside down and hit the eject but couple times. good luck!
I had this problem the other
I had this problem the other day and tried everything including the mouse button trick to holding the computer upside down. Taking a flat, thin piece of cardboard paper (from a package of AA batteries), I slid it in the drive above the stuck CD and hit eject. Came right out.
Thanks! this worked like a
Thanks! this worked like a charm!!!!
Wow, nice. Finally, a use
Wow, nice. Finally, a use for all of those floppy disks I’ve got in a closet somewhere.
My current method has been really small tweezers, but this sounds like less of a hassle.
Also - nice choice on the music. Dredg is great!
I had a paper stickered DVD
I had a paper stickered DVD stuck in the smartdrive. Sounds weird but the following worked for me. 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!
You are a genius! All of the
You are a genius! All of the other options made me tense (which means, I didn’t try them) but this worked first try. Thank you so much!!
I used a seam ripper (sewing
I used a seam ripper (sewing tool for ripping out stitches). I stuck it in the into the cd slot about a half inch from the center. When I could feel the stuck disk, I stuck the point of the ripper a little ways into the disk and could drag it out a little. Very carefully. Did this a few more times, then could reach the disk with a pair of tweezers.
This worked when nothing else had taken care of it.
I found another way, but it
I found another way, but it might be risky. I used two small rulers, stick it at both sides the left and the right, and slowly (carefully) pushed the ruler in and pushed it out a little. I do not know why, but after that, I took out the ruler, turned on my computer, and my macbook just ejected it! (Automatically) I do not know if it is safe or not, but my macbook still can read disk and things.
Brilliant! The shutter
Brilliant! The shutter worked like a charm - on a flat-panel imac, no less!
The last time this happened (we have a couple hundred 20” iMacs), Apple told me I was out of luck, and we ended up destroying the optical drive (squeezed it sideways, bending the frame until it gave up the disc) to get the media back. Fortunately, it was under warranty, and the onsite tech did the honors. I prefer this method! ;)
Thanks!