My MacBook won't accept CDs/DVDs anymore

[Dixon]

Hellllp! My MacBook has stopped accepting CDs and DVDs; it just spits them back out when I try to insert them. I can't load music into my iTunes now, nor watch videos. My friend who was helping me with some computer stuff said that probably means the drive needs to be replaced and was unwilling to do that himself because, he says, it's sort of complicated in a laptop. My finances are very limited. Can someone advise me as to who can fix this for me cheaply?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions;

Dixon
(707) 527-6163

[MAG]

Best bet is to get an external unit.

Hellllp! My MacBook has stopped accepting CDs and DVDs; it just spits them back out when I try to insert them. I can't load music into my iTunes now, nor watch videos. My friend who was helping me with some computer stuff said that probably means the drive needs to be replaced and was unwilling to do that himself because, he says, it's sort of complicated in a laptop. My finances are very limited. Can someone advise me as to who can fix this for me cheaply?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions;

Dixon
(707) 527-6163

[cocreator]

Hi Dixon ~

I feel your pain. My iBook ate a DVD years ago when it was new, then it refused to acknowledge having an optical drive!

I recommend The Computer Recycling Center (CRC) on Santa Rosa Avenue. Their Mac tech, Derrick, has resuscitated my Mac numerous times for a very reasonable fee. Unlike most computer techs, CRC doesn't charge for diagnostics, so while you may have to leave your machine there a few days, you will not pay anything until they figure out what the problem is and give you a repair quote.

fyi: Derrick is only in on Friday and Saturday; the PC techs are there Tues-Sat. https://www.crc.org
707-528-8340

CRC also sells refurbished computers every Saturday morning, 9-noon. Good luck!

Hellllp! My MacBook has stopped accepting CDs and DVDs; it just spits them back out when I try to insert them.

[eric]

Best bet is to get an external unit.

The same exact thing happened to me!
The first thing to do is call the Apple Store, and book an appointment to visit a Mac Genius. They do same day appointments, either they fix the problem on the spot, or else they diagnose what the problem is and inform you how to fix it, and it's free of charge to visit a Mac Genius.
If a Mac Genius, can't reset your DVD drive and make it fully operational they will probably suggest, as in my case, that you replace the DVD drive. In which case the most economical and affordable option is to buy the part yourself, instead of having a repair person charge extra for the DVD drive...
I located a new DVD SuperDrive for my Mac, on eBay. The price was right, and the SuperDrive came with a warranty. I would definitely suggest at least buying the part yourself to save money, before bringing the laptop to a repair person.
When this happened to me I decided to replace the DVD SuperDrive myself. This is a very simple and easy proceedure, I did this with absolutely no prior computer repair knowledge whatsoever. As a matter of fact I think that all the job required was a simple screwdriver to perform the work detail

https://youtu.be/YI1sUek2A9M

There are a number of YouTube videos related to this subject, and similar to the video in the link above.
I simply followed the instructions in the informative tutorial video and replaced my DVD SuperDrive myself.
If you're trying to save money this is the way to go. I believe that I paid less than $20 to do a job that a private repair guy was trying to charge me $200.00 to do.
Oh yeah, I've also seen external DVD SuperDrive's that just require a USB hookup...

Good luck with your repair job!