Chosen Solution
Yesterday my MacBook started ejecting DVDs after I inserted them into the drive. They will go in, start spinning for 30 seconds or so then are ejected. However, the optical drive is playing CDs with no problem. I have tried several film region specific DVDs and an authentic Snow Leopard DVD with no joy. My DVD lens cleaner disc will successfully launch DVD player and I can then clean the lens but still it won’t accept any other DVDs. One thing though, I left the MacBook off overnight and then tried a film DVD this morning and it did launch DVD player and started to play. When I ejected it and tried another one it reverted back to the original problem and I’ve had no success since. Any advice would be gratefully accepted.
I’m not sure there is a satisfying answer…some drives just get flaky and eventually need to be replaced. DVDs tend to be more sensitive to scratches, smudges, and residue, so of course it makes sense to clean them off with windex and a soft cloth, but I assume you’ve taken that route. Blowing out the drive with canned air couldn’t hurt, although you should probably clean the lens again afterward in case the air blows dust onto it. You’ve cleaned the lens, and tried various types of DVDs, so there isn’t really much more to be done. I can’t imagine the OS or any apps would be the cause, but I’d be curious if the Snow Leopard DVD would show up if you tried to boot to the option menu (hold option as you boot)? If it shows up in the option menu but not in the OS, that might tell us something.
Here’s the link to replacing it: MacBook Core Duo Optical Drive Replacement and heres a used drive: MacBook/MacBook Pro 15" 8x SuperDrive here’s a new drive: http://fastmac.com/superslim.php I personally don’t use a DVD much in my laptop. So an external, bus-powered dvd burner might be cheaper if portability is a factor. If you have another Mac you can connect the MacBook to it via a firewire cable then boot the Book using the “T” key and then install from the other Mac.
Maybe the drive needs a manuel laser lens cleaning with rubbing alcool but to do it you need to take off the MacBook top case.
