Imac late 2009, DVD quit working

[Steve_G]

The DVD:
OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H:

Firmware Revision: 3AHB
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, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: To show the available burn speeds, insert a disc and choose File > Refresh Information

Any disc, put into the slot spins around for a while, stops, starts, then is ejected. No warning, no notices.

 

[pm-r]

Any disc, put into the slot spins around for a while, stops, starts, then is ejected. No warning, no notices.

Have you got a commercial disc, CD or DVD, you could try???

Have you got a CD disc cleaner you could try and use???

Or try sticking the tube-nozzle from a Dust-Off air blaster can into the optic drive slot and give it a few good long shots of air while you move the tube-nozzle around and back and forth.

When was the last time you used the drive and it worked properly???

The warning notice you get is actually the disc being spat out and letting you know the drive cannot read it for whatever reason, but it doesn't tell you that.



- Patrick
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[Steve_G]

The disc I've tried are all commercial disc, music and video including software, none are home made.

I Don't have a tube nozzle but did use a soft air blower through the slot.

The DVD quit working over a year ago.

I did try a external DVD/CD unit and it worked for playback, music and video.
I even inserted a disc backward, got the same, spins around for a while, stops, starts, then ejects the disc.

DVD Still not functioning.

Steve

 

[Mitcherooney]

The disc I've tried are all commercial disc, music and video including software, none are home made.

I Don't have a tube nozzle but did use a soft air blower through the slot.

The DVD quit working over a year ago.

I did try a external DVD/CD unit and it worked for playback, music and video.
I even inserted a disc backward, got the same, spins around for a while, stops, starts, then ejects the disc.

DVD Still not functioning.

Steve

I had this problem with an old iMac. Simplest solution - try using an external player - they're cheap enogh to give it a g.
The built in Superdrives were notorious for failing with the results that you mention.

Cheers Mitch

 

[Steve_G]

I think your right, get an external Drive. Prices range from less than $20 to just under $100 for a "Apple" drive.

 

[pm-r]

I think your right, get an external Drive. Prices range from less than $20 to just under $100 for a "Apple" drive.

Do not purchase one of the external optical drives from Apple that are designed and meant for those Mac models without an internal optical drive.

They will not work with Mac's that had an internal optical drive as a replacement Drive.



- Patrick
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[newbutter]

Patrick's right, Apple's external drives are designed for Macs without internal drives.

However, there are plenty of other external DVD drives that should work with your iMac. Just ensure it's compatible with macOS High Sierra 10.13.6.

Here's a useful article about DVD drives for Mac. Might be useful

 

[Jimmysb]

If you haven't used the player in some time dirt does get lodged on the sensor, and is almost impossible to clean off. Without regular use these things do fail, not just Mac players, but CD/DVD players in general.

 

[krs]

If you haven't used the player in some time dirt does get lodged on the sensor, and is almost impossible to clean off.

Seems the OP hasn't tried a disk cleaner yet.
These have a small brush attached to the disk that is supposed to clean the sensor.

 

[IWT]

As $20-30 gets you a brand new external CD/DVD player/recorder, I'd be very tempted to forget the internal one which could let you down again even after cleaning etc.

Personal view, naturally.

Ian

 

[Steve_G]

Thank you all for the insight on this problem.
I've ordered a CD/DVD lens cleaner. If that doesn't solve the problem I'll purchase a comparable external CD/DVD drive.
Yes I don't use the CD/DVD drive very often and on top of that I live in a rural area with lots of "dust".

 

[pm-r]

Seems the OP hasn't tried a disk cleaner yet.

+1.
Certainly a worthwhile investment, and they are cheap enough anyway, just get one that says Mac compatible, which usually entails playing certain "music tracks" so the location of the cleaning brush actually wipes against and cleans the lenses.

I have one I have used several times successfully over the years, but I also use the can of compressed air and its tube inside the optical slot giving several good long blasts of air that seems to help with the cleaning. And it usually works.


- Patrick
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[Steve_G]

The cleaning disc came. No differance. The DVD doesn't spin up enough to clean the lens. It just clicks, whirs, stops and repeats for about a minute. Did that for about 5 minutes, nothing. A inexpensive external DVD/CD player is on it's way.

 

[pm-r]

The cleaning disc came. No differance.

That's too bad that it didn't work for you, but at least you will have a cleaning disc for your new optical drive if and when you might need it and it shouldn't have broken the bank account.




- Patrick
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