So that CD you wanted to copy to iTunes got stuck in your SuperDrive and no matter how hard you press the Eject button it won’t come out? Don’t worry, here are a few easy things to try before you drop off the computer at one of Apple’s Genius Bars.
The problem is usually that Mac OS X sometimes prevents a disc from being ejected if it thinks the disc is in use. To force Mac OS X to eject the disc anyway try this first: open Disk Utility, which you find in the Utilities folder inside Applications. In the left pane of the window there is a list of all the drives installed on your computer. One of them will look like a DVD, simply select it and press Eject in the toolbar.
If that didn’t work it is time to get a bit more technical. Quit Disk Utility and open Terminal this time, you find it in the same folder as Disk Utility. Now you are presented with what is probably the scariest thing known to most computer users, an empty terminal prompt. Don’t worry though, just type in the following, press enter and the disk should be ejected:
Still stuck? The next few solutions requires you to restart or shut down your computer so make sure you save everything you have open then reboot your computer. As soon as the computer starts up, before the Apple logo shows up, press the left mouse button or click the touchpad and keep it pressed until the disc is ejected. Failing that you can also try to hold the Alt (option) key immediately when the computer powers on. This will display all drives your Mac can start from, including the Superdrive. Select the DVD then press and hold the Eject button until the disc comes out.
For you guys with laptops there is one last thing to try before you give up. Turn off the laptop and put it in a cool place for a few minutes. After the computer has cooled down, switch it back on and immediately eject the disc using any of the methods we mentioned earlier.
If you have gotten this far without being able to eject the disc there is a good chance that it is physically stuck in the drive and won’t come out no matter how many times you try. Unfortunately the only solution in this case is to open the Superdrive, something you can’t do on your own without voiding your warranty. The best thing to do now is to book an appointment with Apple who should be able to get it out for you.
The problem is usually that Mac OS X sometimes prevents a disc from being ejected if it thinks the disc is in use. To force Mac OS X to eject the disc anyway try this first: open Disk Utility, which you find in the Utilities folder inside Applications. In the left pane of the window there is a list of all the drives installed on your computer. One of them will look like a DVD, simply select it and press Eject in the toolbar.
If that didn’t work it is time to get a bit more technical. Quit Disk Utility and open Terminal this time, you find it in the same folder as Disk Utility. Now you are presented with what is probably the scariest thing known to most computer users, an empty terminal prompt. Don’t worry though, just type in the following, press enter and the disk should be ejected:
drutil tray eject
Still stuck? The next few solutions requires you to restart or shut down your computer so make sure you save everything you have open then reboot your computer. As soon as the computer starts up, before the Apple logo shows up, press the left mouse button or click the touchpad and keep it pressed until the disc is ejected. Failing that you can also try to hold the Alt (option) key immediately when the computer powers on. This will display all drives your Mac can start from, including the Superdrive. Select the DVD then press and hold the Eject button until the disc comes out.
For you guys with laptops there is one last thing to try before you give up. Turn off the laptop and put it in a cool place for a few minutes. After the computer has cooled down, switch it back on and immediately eject the disc using any of the methods we mentioned earlier.
If you have gotten this far without being able to eject the disc there is a good chance that it is physically stuck in the drive and won’t come out no matter how many times you try. Unfortunately the only solution in this case is to open the Superdrive, something you can’t do on your own without voiding your warranty. The best thing to do now is to book an appointment with Apple who should be able to get it out for you.
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