This disk drive is drivin' me crazy!

September 13, 2011 12:16 PM

I recently purchased a MacBook on eBay (oops?), and everything is in working order, sort of. How can I diagnose this peculiar CD/DVD drive problem, and is the seller making me a good compensatory offer?

After receiving the computer, I zipped around the internet, played with the settings and was generally happy for the first couple days...until I decided to rip a CD I borrowed from the library.

Disc goes in: drive accelerates...slows down...stops....kuCHUNK...starts up again. Repeat a couple times and the disc spits out. I tried this with several CD's to the same effect.

Later, I went home and did a test with some DVD's, CD's and CD-R's.

Results: One out of two DVD's were read successfully, none of the CD's worked, but ALL three of the CD-R's worked perfectly with no extra whining or clicking.

After trying the Laser Lens cleaner disc, and can'o'air, I promptly emailed the seller, who is guarding a 100% feedback rating. He said that he would gladly send me a Superdrive at no charge, which I could then swap out myself. This seems to be the only problem with an otherwise great used MacBook, which suits my purposes. Naturally, this issue was NOT listed in the item description.

So, is it worth my afternoon to replace the drive, or should I have the seller exchange the computer and send me a functional one (of which he currently doesn't have)? Or, is this an internal data cable connection, or other fixable problem that wouldn't require USPS frustration? Or just a DOA disc drive?

Thanks for reading, this case has a lot of ins, a lot of outs, a lot of what-have-yous...

posted by obscurator to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Its very hard to diagnose a wonky drive like this. And, depending on which MacBook model you, swapping out the drive can be rather touchy work.

I'd ask the seller to send the drive and payment to have a licensed repair shop do the work for you. Or send you a new replacement machine.
posted by fenriq at 12:27 PM on September 13, 2011

The DVD's on macbooks are notoriously failure prone. I have a 2008 macbook pro which has had to have the DVD drive replaced twice. The symptoms your describing are exactly what I experienced both times.

Based on that I'd say go for the new superdrive. The new replacement computer is just as likely to have a problem of some sort. Better the devil you know, and all that.
posted by bswinburn at 12:32 PM on September 13, 2011

My Macbook Pro 2008 has had two Superdrives replaced for failing to burn discs. When I researched it, the consensus was that the Matshita optical drives Apple uses are junk. If your machine is otherwise flawless and you can handle installing the new optical drive yourself, I'd consider doing that, rather than risking the unknown.

If you can get a replacement optical drive not manufactured by Matshita, that would be a bonus, though I'm not sure whether it will fit (or work).
posted by Hylas at 1:04 PM on September 13, 2011

I'll nth the fallibility of the super-drive in used Macs. If its acting funny it is on its way out. If you are thinking about running slightly used Macs (out of Apple Care) I'd suggest you get used to changing them yourself. I've never done it on a MacBook, but have done it on several MB Pros, G4s, and a Mini. Its daunting the first time, but if you have the right little tools and a good instruction guide (both available on-line; here is PowerBook Medic's guide to the MB) its completely do-able.

Download the PDF version of the guide, print it out and study it. If it seems like something you could do then just ask the seller for a new drive. If you don't feel comfortable then tell the seller he can either pay to have the work done or take the computer back.

FWIW, I've gotten some great deals on eBay over the years buying slightly used machines. Look for ones that are still under AppleCare.

Good luck
posted by pandabearjohnson at 1:37 PM on September 13, 2011

Thanks PBJ and others, you are echoing my relatively-low-hassle sentiment. I have taken apart a MBP before to fix a minor non-catching front-latch problem, so I am relatively comfortable with the endless tiny screws. Also, I will print out the PDF, watch the youtubes, etc..

Indeed, I was leery about purchasing a MacBook without AppleCare, but if I am getting the drive for free then maybe I can just roll with it. I'm curious if perhaps this was all caused in transit, so don't really want to send/receive any more computers via USPS if possible.
posted by obscurator at 2:39 PM on September 13, 2011