iBook G4 CD Stuck, Drive Clicky...need help ASAP

#1 Fri, 5 Sep 2008 - 15:57

I ask this on behalf of my uncle, who needs this drive fixed by the evening...

He's got a CD-ROM stuck in his slot-loading CD drive (without a paper clip eject button). The drive clicks and the computer literally shakes around when he holds down eject.

I've had luck in the past with a business card on top of the disc but it's not working for him.

He can't take this to a technician because he's leaving on assignment tomorrow and needs the laptop. I can't help him in person either because I live 800 miles away (and probably can't get a cheap flight within the next six hours).

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated...please try to get these to me by 3PM.

#2 Fri, 5 Sep 2008 - 16:26

Try plugging in a mouse and holding the button through startup, this is Apples force eject protocol for these drives.

#3 Fri, 5 Sep 2008 - 20:24

...or just hold the trackpad button down -- an external mouse isn't a requirement, AFAIK. The trackpad button method has saved my bacon many a time.

#4 Fri, 5 Sep 2008 - 21:32

Tweezers? Try taking the disk out with a pair of them.

#5 Fri, 5 Sep 2008 - 23:12

No need to stick anything inside the drive in most cases. Just hold the mouse/trackpad button down and then start 'er up. Keep it held down until it spits it out (takes some time, so be patient).

Tweezers are for the very few instances where some other problem prevents an eject, and you're willing to risk the damage that tweezers can inflict.

#6 Mon, 8 Sep 2008 - 05:09

Additionally, sometimes turning the machine on at an angle and holding down the trackpad button is required for a 'gravity assist'.