Mac Mini DVD Drive Fading in and Out

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Hi,

I am trying to troubleshoot a transient problem with my Mac Mini and determine if it is a hardware or software problem.

The DVD drive goes between working fine, and not working at all, on an almost daly basis.


When "not working":

*Drive will not recognize a DVD or eject the disk (except by holding down the eject key on startup).

*Boot takes 6 minutes rather than the normal 45 seconds (2 minutes to the blank white screen, then 4 minutes later directly to the desktop)

*Checking system profiler "Disc Burner" causes either a) No disc burning device found or b) Keeps searching forever and has to be force quit.

*Looking under "ATA" on system profiler, the drive shows up, but some times seems to be corrupted (see the attached files. Both were taken while the drive was not working)


I have tried:

*Running hardware test when the drive started working (no problems were found). When the drive is not working, it will not boot to the test disc.

*Booting with all external devices disconnected.

*Repairing file permissions.

*Opening up the case, blowing out dust, and jiggling the DVD drive connections.


I also had the internal sound card disappear for awhile, but that is back now.

System:
Mac mini Intel Core Duo
1.83 GHz
2 GB Ram
667 MHz bus
OS 10.6.2 all up to date (clean installed from SL DVD)

Any thing else I can try before replacing hardware (I'd rather not as plan to upgrade to a Mac Pro in the near future)?

Thanks,
Eric

After reboot.png

No Disc Burning Found.png
 

chscag

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Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
It sure sounds like the DVD drive in your Mini is dying. When they become intermittent like yours, it's almost always a hardware problem not software.

Since replacing the drive yourself is not an easy task and if the Mini is still under warranty, I suggest you let Apple look at it. If the machine is under warranty they'll replace the drive at no cost to you.

Regards.
 

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