Macbook Pro DVD/CD burner

I'm new here however I've had my Macbook Pro for almost 3 years now. I have just started hearing my DVD/CD burner grind as I try to play a CD or DVD. After grinding for about 30 seconds, it automatically ejects. I use my Macbook primarily for video editing as I am on the broadcast team at my church and decided to purchase my own to keep from having to spend long hours at church. SO I absolutely NEED the burner. Does anyone know what this could be? Or where I could find online a CD/Burner unit for the macbook?

I decided, since my warranty is out, I may have to just get an external drive to use temporarily...any suggestions as to which ones out there are MAC compatible?

The nearest Apple store is 2 hours away from me...

Thanks for the help in advance!

For an external DVD drive try these guys:

OWC

HTH,

- Nick

I decided, since my warranty is out, I may have to just get an external drive to use temporarily...any suggestions as to which ones out there are MAC compatible?

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Just about any external USB or USB/Firewire optical drive will work. Best Buy, Office Deport, Staples, etc all stock external drives. Buy an inexpensive one to use until you can get the internal drive changed out. Buy the internal replacement drive from OWC as Nick has suggested.

The MacBook Pro's internal optical drive, unfortunately, is terrible. Mine died on me after around 6 months of usage. I am using an external slim Samsung drive like this one:



It's small, quite, looks great, and is not expensive. Works like a charm.

EDIT: In the mean time, try using a DVD cleaner like this:



I am using one from Radio Shack. However, buy the one that has small cloth pieces that clean the lens, not the one where you need to add some white liquid to (forgot the name, sorry). It worked for a while!

If its grinding ... not so sure a cleaning disk will help .. but it may prolong the life of the drive... any External DVD-rw/CD usb drive should work fine.. good luck with it .. That is why I keep spare parts around ... I always get my mac's after the waranty has run out so I know what to expect from used equipment.

Tarek said:

The MacBook Pro's internal optical drive, unfortunately, is terrible.

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I hate to say it but I agree. I've had more problems with Apple's CD/DVD drives than compared to my old Windows machines. It's not just a MacBook Pro problem because I've had issues with my Mac desktops too.