*** CD or DVD will not eject from Apple Desktop Computer ***

Troubleshooting Apple Desktops has its challenges just like any component of high technology and innovation.

Some hardware issues within Apple Desktops, are fairly simple to resolve and have straight-forward procedures. With other hardware problems however, that you may encounter, a bit more hands on intensive work may be required.

This is why when troubleshooting a customer's Apple Desktop containing a stuck CD or DVD in the optical drive, the best corrective actions for resolving this problem, can be implemented fairly quickly.  Sometimes however, it is not so simple.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As an Expert working with Apple computers, you may encounter a hardware problem like this. So, here are a few troubleshooting steps you can use to try and eject a stuck disc:

[u]Procedure #1 - Use Mouse to Eject Disc[/u]
If you are unable to eject the disc per these conventional methods first:

• Dragging CD or DVD onto the Trash which will turn into an Eject symbol
• Using Disk Utility or iTunes applications to eject the disc
• Right clicking or Control + Clicking (for single button mice) with your mouse and selecting  
 "Eject" from the menu.

Then you will need to implement this procedure below, which will require you to restart your computer:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

•Reboot the Mac
• Hold down your Mouse button(s)*  prior to the Apple Chime
• Keep holding the mouse button down while your Mac boots up
• The disc should eject before you reach your Desktop
• When it does, simply release your mouse buttons.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More often than not, this procedure ejects the disc. But what if it doesn't? What else can you
try, before recommending the Mac computer be taken into an Apple service center?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No worries. It's just time to take a more intensive step, using a bit of Unix command line script to force the disc to eject. Keep in mind, you don't have to know Unix in order to perform this procedure, just follow these simple scripts:

[u]Procedure #2 - Use Terminal Application to Eject Disc[/u]

- SLOT LOADED DRIVES -
• From the Desktop, click anywhere on a blank space on the desktop. Now you should see Finder listed near the Apple menu icon.
• From the Finder menu, click on Go, > Utilities from the  drop-down menu. This will take you to the Utilities folder.
• Locate and open the Terminal application
• At prompt, type: drutil eject
• Press the Return key on your keyboard

- OPTICAL DRIVE W/ TRAY -
 * If you have an Apple Desktop computer with an optical drive with a tray, try this simple
   command:
• Type: drutil tray open
• Press the Return key on your keyboard).

- This command line script, should successfully eject the disc from the drive, unless there are
  mechanical issues with the drive.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now let me explain briefly, about mechanical issues with the optical drive of an Apple Desktop.

There are some issues where you can just stop troubleshooting and outright recommend that the computer be taken in for service. The list is very short:

• No response from the optical drive at all, not even a whirring sound.
• A Mini-disc is inserted into an optical slot-loaded drive
• Two discs are stuck in the optical drive.

That is about it.
Otherwise, the two procedures I provided above, will more than likely do the job.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[b]Helpful Supplemental Article[/b]

For further review, I am also providing an article which I find to be well written, which notes that  there are a few additional and more riskier methods you can use to remove a stuck CD or DVD.  But I caution you: Do so at your own discretion.

 The Ultimate Guide to Ejecting a Disc from a Mac Superdrive

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) Special Note: If the CD or DVD is stuck in an Apple portable notebook, you can almost perform the same procedure,  with the exception you can perform the above steps,  but instead press the Media Eject key as the portable reboots.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for reviewing this simple Best Practices article for Apple Desktop Computers.

 Regards,

- Mactechtrainer