Question for Mac Users

[romantico]

I have had my imac for over a year now and love it. No problems at all.However, I discovered the other night that when I put a DVD or CD into the Mac, they come out scratched.I have ruined some of my favorite CD's and DVD's.I had been playing for months now and only recently discovered what was happening.I do not have Apple Cares,but plan on going to the Apple Store where I purchased the computer and ask them why this is happening and how I can fix it. Has this happened to any other Mac users? What could be doing this and how big of a job do you think it is to fix it? I will not play any DVD's or CD's in it now.Thanks!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I've never run into that problem.

But it's possible some foreign object got into your disc drive that is causing the scratches.

[Deja Q]

7. Seconded. With the iMac unplugged, get a can of compressed air and

blow into the drive.

If one feels safe doing that; if the flotsam in the drive is made of metal, that could pose bigger problems too...

[DarkTirade]

2. I'm not a mac user, but that just sounds like a hardware problem.

I'm sure all you need is to replace the drive. I don't know how easy that is on a mac though.

[romantico]

3. Thanks!

Appreciate the response and advice.What bothers me is how long it has been doing this. I just discovered it by chance taking a dvd out. Its the same pattern. 4 lines on top of each other.I dread checking my other dvd's and cd's.Thanks again!

[pokerfan]

4. Just pop in a new drive

You can find http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=dvd+drive&oe=utf-8&rls=com.ubuntu:en-US:unofficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=10214371476751990055&ei=bjkGSuGBOY7msgPv8IzfBg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1#ps-sellers">new drives starting at $18.

[Deja Q]

6. Those are generic drives for generic PC cases. I doubt they would work in an iMac design.

I'm going to get an external USB drive so I don't overuse my iMac's built-in drive. Not that drives often go bad, and I have the extended warranty (Best Buy, which does cover accidents), but still...

[pokerfan]

12. oh damn

I missed the Mac part. Never mind.

[realisticphish]

5. never had that problem either

definitely a hardware issue, maybe a nubbin of metal or something

[Generic Brad]

8. That is a unique problem

I feel for you. My Mac has never ruined any of my CD's or DVD's.

[romantico]

9. Everyone I mentioned it to

Everyone I mentioned it to say the same thing. I absolutely LOVE my Mac and other than this small problem, I can not say enough positive things about it.Very helpful suggestions.I am glad I asked. Thanks again to everyone!

[NYC_SKP]

10. Please do go to the Apple Store, but call first for appointment with the Genius Bar.

The Genius Bar inside Apple Stores have taken great care of my problems in the past.

The replaced my out of warrantee twice with a new one and have helped me with hardware problems like yours.

The only problem that they didn't fix was a cracked MacBook screen after warrantee.

Call them in advance to get an appointment, they might find an easy fix for you.

There is even a chance that if they deem it a faulty design or inherent drive problem that they'd replace it for you even though your warranty is over.

NYC_SKP

[Pierre.Suave]

11. That is definitely a hardware problem

or some foreign object has gotten itself inside your drive.

www.macsales.com if you want to get a drive 100% guaranteed to work with your mac, but any should work, despite what Hypnotoad/DejaQ says, as long as it is the same type.