How to Remove a Stuck CD From a PowerBook G4
Disc drive failures are common in laptops, especially in older machines like a PowerBook G4. If a CD actually gets stuck, you can try to get it out yourself before turning to an Apple-certified technician for help.
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Instructions
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1
Make sure it's really stuck. Try holding down "Eject," which is the button in the corner at the top-right, or try dragging the CD icon from the desktop into the "Trash." Finally, restart your computer and hold down the mouse button or the trackpad as it starts up. Normally, any of these three actions should eject a disc from your PowerBook.
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2
Reset the Power Manager (PMU). Determine which PowerBook G4 you have on the website Every Mac (see Resources), using your processor information and hardware information; check this by going to the "Apple" menu at the top-left of your screen, and selecting "About This Mac," and then selecting "More Info." Next, check the information on the Apple site, "Resetting PowerBook and iBook Power Management Unit (PMU)" (see Resources) for specific information on how to reset the PMU for your exact computer model. Next, follow the instructions in Step 1 again.
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Call Apple technical support at 800-APL-CARE (800-275-2273), if you're in the U.S., or 800-263-3394 if you're in Canada. Alternatively, take your computer in to an Apple Store or an Apple-certified technician. (Find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider at the website listed in Resources below entitled "How to Find Your Nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP).")
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Tips & Warnings
There are other methods that have proven successful to PowerBook G4 users in removing a CD from their disc drive, such as inserting a piece of cardboard or tweezers a few inches into the drive while holding down the eject button. However, these methods have not been condoned by Apple; inserting a foreign object into your disc drive could cause further damage, and is better handled by a professional.
