DVD/CD drive won't read installation CDs

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Hello,

I apologize in advance if I overlook any of the other threads that might be posted earlier with answers to this similar problem/issue.

In case, it's not among one of the postings - I'm having a problem with the DVD/CD hardware. I inserted the iLife CD to install but the hardware just went turning a couple of times then barely popped out before it was pulled back in again. I had to wait a couple of times trying to grab the CD before it's pulled back again. I tried the other CD - iWork but same results. Also, when I inserted the CD, I expected to see the DVD device icon to pop up on the desktop but it never appears.

This is Macbook Pro laptop with Snow Leopard OS X 10.6.2 and the CDs mentioned above is 9.0.3. I don't know if the version for the CDs matter regarding the OS X version or is it the OS X that needs to be updated/upgraded to meet the minimum for CDs?

If needed, here's the info of the DVD/CD hardware:

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-875:

Firmware Revision: DA09
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: To show the available burn speeds, insert a disc and choose View > Refresh

Please advise and thank you in advance for your time and help.
 
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Your Mac's Specs
Silver M1 iMac 512/16/8/8 macOS 11.6
Sounds awfully like yet another laptop deceased optical drive. Is the machine still under warranty?
 
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Harryb2448, unfortunately, no, it's not under warranty. It's used. How do I find out if the optical drive isn't working properly? Diagnostic testing? Or something else?
 
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Your Mac's Specs
Silver M1 iMac 512/16/8/8 macOS 11.6
Trial and error. Try blowing compressed air, a small amount though, through and se if that improves things. Another try may be one the commercial laser cleaners.
 
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Harryb2448 - do you have suggestions on brand or specific products for both compressed air and commercial laser cleaners (if you've experienced trying them out before)?

Thanks!
 

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