Old iMac G3 slot loading desktop cd/dvd loading prob.

Jdzieds · Jdzieds #1 (**permalink**)

01-03-2010, 02:03 PM

I have an old imac slot loading G3 500mhz desktop with OS 9.2.2. Recently the cd/dvd player stopped accepting dvds & cds. It loads them fine, but after a few seconds the player just ejects them. It worked just days ago.

Any possible solutions?

louishen · louishen #2 (**permalink**)

01-03-2010, 02:16 PM

Its either broke or just needs a clean

Getting the drive out is a bit of a pain (I once had to get a small optical disk out of one), but you could give a cleaning disk a try if you have one handy

Or you could try compressed air to blow out any dust

Jdzieds · Jdzieds #3 (**permalink**)

01-03-2010, 02:23 PM

Thanks, that is what I feared! I think I will give the cleaning a try, but I thought it might be something else. It seemed to stop working after an auto upgrade of several software.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #4 (**permalink**)

01-03-2010, 03:50 PM

And if the drive has failed sadly it is a fact of life you will be able to buy a G4 much cheaper than a new slot loading optical drive.

hughvane · hughvane #5 (**permalink**)

01-03-2010, 05:08 PM

Or a USB external optical drive in enclosure, or a used optical drive via ATA/USB adaptor (only USB 1 though). Okay for low-res pics, music, text, but not video.

Mac SK · Mac SK #6 (**permalink**)

01-03-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdzieds

It seemed to stop working after an auto upgrade of several software.

You say its got 9.2 on it. Running auto upgrades may not be a good idea. Servers will try to download OSX stuff like flash Etc. Could cause problems.

Jdzieds · Jdzieds #7 (**permalink**)

01-04-2010, 07:58 PM

I tried to clean it with a laser lens cleaner. I inserted the disc, but I'm not sure if it spins to clean. I can't click play so how do I know it spins? I have my cd player on auto play, but not sure it is trying to play the cleaning disc.

After I used the lens cleaner, I tried to play a dvd and cd, but both were just ejected after several seconds. I need help.

How do I unistall my updates?

Mac SK · Mac SK #8 (**permalink**)

01-05-2010, 12:09 AM

Hunt up a USB or Firewire external CDRW or use a thumb drive. Or connect to another Mac with ethernet.

Jdzieds · Jdzieds #9 (**permalink**)

01-10-2010, 07:38 AM

but, how do I get the cleaning disc to spin if play on my iMac is disabled...and how can I uninstall my recent updates??

hughvane · hughvane #10 (**permalink**)

01-10-2010, 05:10 PM

I think you're down to removing the optical drive from the iMac. Not easy, but not impossible. I can send you links to How To manuals on request.

What I think MacSk is suggesting is that you link your iMac to another (healthy) Mac via your ethernet setup. It's called Networking. You can do all sorts of maintenance on the troublesome Mac via the other computer. However, that doesn't/won't solve the optical drive problem.

Jdzieds #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 03, 2010 Posts: 4	01-03-2010, 02:03 PM I have an old imac slot loading G3 500mhz desktop with OS 9.2.2. Recently the cd/dvd player stopped accepting dvds & cds. It loads them fine, but after a few seconds the player just ejects them. It worked just days ago. Any possible solutions? Last edited by Jdzieds; 01-03-2010 at 02:12 PM. Reason: add details
	QUOTE Thanks

louishen #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2007 Location: London Posts: 8,654 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core i7 2012 \| White 2009 MacBook 2 Ghz \| 733 Mhz G4 Quicksilver	01-03-2010, 02:16 PM Its either broke or just needs a clean Getting the drive out is a bit of a pain (I once had to get a small optical disk out of one), but you could give a cleaning disk a try if you have one handy Or you could try compressed air to blow out any dust Member of the Month September 2008 & August 2012 \| Found advice useful? – use the rep system
	QUOTE Thanks

hughvane #5 (permalink)
Member Since: May 18, 2008 Location: Banks Peninsula, New Zealand Posts: 3,244 Mac Specs: MacMini 2.4, 4 Gb, OS 10.6.8; MacBook 2.4, 2 Gb, OS 10.5.8; G4 eMac 1.25, 2 Gb, OS 10.4.11	01-03-2010, 05:08 PM Or a USB external optical drive in enclosure, or a used optical drive via ATA/USB adaptor (only USB 1 though). Okay for low-res pics, music, text, but not video. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Please post your Mac (or other) specs and MacOS version in your post, your profile or your signature. It helps us to help you better. I'm leaving now to go and find myself. If I should return before I get back, please ask me to wait.
	QUOTE Thanks

hughvane #10 (permalink)
Member Since: May 18, 2008 Location: Banks Peninsula, New Zealand Posts: 3,244 Mac Specs: MacMini 2.4, 4 Gb, OS 10.6.8; MacBook 2.4, 2 Gb, OS 10.5.8; G4 eMac 1.25, 2 Gb, OS 10.4.11	01-10-2010, 05:10 PM I think you're down to removing the optical drive from the iMac. Not easy, but not impossible. I can send you links to How To manuals on request. What I think MacSk is suggesting is that you link your iMac to another (healthy) Mac via your ethernet setup. It's called Networking. You can do all sorts of maintenance on the troublesome Mac via the other computer. However, that doesn't/won't solve the optical drive problem. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Please post your Mac (or other) specs and MacOS version in your post, your profile or your signature. It helps us to help you better. I'm leaving now to go and find myself. If I should return before I get back, please ask me to wait.
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
CD/DVD drive slot blocked (closed)	mibs	Apple Desktops	3	02-22-2009 03:07 AM
Is it worth to switch from iMac G4 to iMac G5??	Mainyehc	Apple Desktops	12	03-13-2006 06:21 PM
iMac 350 Slot Load Modem Problem	DakRoland	Apple Desktops	6	02-12-2005 12:59 PM
G4 iMac 17" - CD/DVD Door Won't Close - Help!	SuperManFan	Apple Desktops	1	11-07-2004 11:43 PM
Modem drivers for an iMac (slot loading) in Mandrake Linux PPX	NaRO	Apple Desktops	0	02-20-2004 11:52 PM

Old iMac G3 slot loading desktop cd/dvd loading prob.

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

harryb2448 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,095 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	01-03-2010, 03:50 PM And if the drive has failed sadly it is a fact of life you will be able to buy a G4 much cheaper than a new slot loading optical drive.
	QUOTE Thanks

Jdzieds #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 03, 2010 Posts: 4	01-04-2010, 07:58 PM I tried to clean it with a laser lens cleaner. I inserted the disc, but I'm not sure if it spins to clean. I can't click play so how do I know it spins? I have my cd player on auto play, but not sure it is trying to play the cleaning disc. After I used the lens cleaner, I tried to play a dvd and cd, but both were just ejected after several seconds. I need help. How do I unistall my updates?
	QUOTE Thanks

Mac SK #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 20, 2006 Posts: 1,483	01-05-2010, 12:09 AM Hunt up a USB or Firewire external CDRW or use a thumb drive. Or connect to another Mac with ethernet.
	QUOTE Thanks

Jdzieds #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 03, 2010 Posts: 4	01-10-2010, 07:38 AM but, how do I get the cleaning disc to spin if play on my iMac is disabled...and how can I uninstall my recent updates??
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)