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I can’t get my G4 iMac to eject a CD…
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 / Hardware
I’ve got an iMac - 17″ flat panel. I inserted a CD into the drive after having a DVD in drive with no problem. Now it acts stuck. I pulled down the white door and it looks like maybe the door on the CD/DVD drive didn’t close all the way. No CD comes up on the desktop. I can’t eject with the keyboard button. What do I do? Is there a paperclip hole or table knife trick?
Jeff
If you cannot get a CD or DVD to eject by the regular methods, PowerPC-based Mac users can use an Open Firmware emergency eject command. Here is a link to Apple’s instructions on how to eject a disc when other options don’t work. The important steps are below:
– Restart the computer.
– Immediately after the startup sound, press and hold the key combination Command-Option-O-F. Note: The Command key has the Apple and () icons on it.
– Release the keys when you see a white screen that says “Welcome to Open Firmware.”
– At the prompt, type: eject cd
– Press Return, then wait a few seconds. The disc drive should eject any disc that is present, and “ok” appears behind your command when the action is complete.
– Type: Mac-boot
– Press Return
If this fails to eject, you will have to open the case of the G4 iMac to gain access to the manual eject pinhole on the face of the optical drive. You may want to seek the help of a professional for that process.
Hope this helps,
Jacob
