Dirty Disc Drive

The "dust flap" (I dont know what its called) for my Macbook disk drive is very sticky and dirty. When I try to put a disk in it is very difficult to get it in there and when it is finally in I have to eject many times before enough of the disk comes out that i can actually pull it out. It also comes out pretty scratched. I thought it was the optical drive itself at first, so I ordered a new one. After replacing my old one, the same thing is happening and I feel quite foolish for not realizing. My question is, how can I clean or replace the "dust flap?" Also if anyone knows what it is actually called please let me know so that I may look up other solutions.

I think that we both know that computers don't get "sticky" all by themselves without some sort of food/beverage item getting involved. Unless it's from being in an environment where a lot of cigarette smoking is going on…and the tar in the cigarette smoke has gunked things up over time.

That "dust flap" you mentioned is really not a flap…it's simply a fuzzy/furry material that runs around the perimeter of the optical drive slot…and I don't think that it's replaceable. If inserting a disk is as hard as you say…it's possible that the slot in the computer housing & the optical drive slot have gotten misaligned.

- Nick

While I appreciate your reply, it is not at all helpful.

joecartoonfn said:

While I appreciate your reply, it is not at all helpful.

Click to expand...

Actually it was helpful. I explained that the "flap" is really not a flap. And that it is possible that the optical drive slot in the alumimum case and the slot of the optical drive itself could be out of alignment (making the insertion & ejecting of disks difficult).

Sorry I didn't give you an exact "spoon-fed" answer that you would have liked. When it comes to problems such as these...unfortunately there isn't always a single 100% guaranteed solution to all problems (every situation can be different).

See you around,

- Nick

One question - do you printed stick on CD/DVD labels by any chance? They can do what you say. If so go back to a pen.

Good thought Harry. The clearance on slot loading drives is really close.