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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 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!

tools_for_cd_removal.jpg
tool for cd removal - sketch.png
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sam said 22 weeks 11 hours ago:

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?

2008-03-28 12:40
lipflip said 22 weeks 10 hours ago:
lipflip's picture

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. :)

2008-03-28 13:37
Happy birthday | lipflip.org said 13 weeks 4 days ago:
[...] 3rd: Removing a stuck CD/DVD from a MacBook [...]
2008-05-27 0:00
Anonymous said 12 weeks 1 day ago:

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.

2008-06-05 17:41
Mike said 12 weeks 21 hours ago:

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!

2008-06-06 2:53

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