Dumb Question on Macs / CDs / Ejecting Etc.

patrickj · 07-09-2008, 07:15 PM

What is the trick with Macs and CDs? Seems like 9 times out of 10 if I insert an install CD (legit, shrink-wrapped etc) into the Macbook's drive, zero happens. The CD does not auto-run, no desktop icon is created for it, there is not the slightest inkling anywhere in Finder that a CD drive exists etc.

So I usually start by thinking that's cool, I'll eject it and pop it back in, but the MacBook doesn't have a phyiscal button to eject and with Finder showing zilch etc. I don't even see a way to eject easily. So far my only workaround has been to start to do a Restart, at which point the CD title generally appears on the desktop, I cancel the restart and feel happier but dissatisifed with how clumsy a workaround this is.

What am I missing? How should the MacBook normally show the CD drive, and let me control auto-play / eject etc. type commands for it?

Saverino · 07-09-2008, 07:25 PM

Is this a new MacBook you're talking about? Because they do have eject buttons.

Its the button in the very top right corner. Next to F12.

freakydeaky dutch bastard · 07-09-2008, 07:26 PM

hmm.. I'm not at my mac right now, but try tooling around with the CD/DVD feature under "hardware" in sys prefs, maybe?

patrickj · 07-09-2008, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Saverino

Is this a new MacBook you're talking about? Because they do have eject buttons.

Its the button in the very top right corner. Next to F12.

DOH - yes, true that - thanks. How 'bout the rest with having it recognize / autoplay etc.?

Saverino · 07-09-2008, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by patrickj

DOH - yes, true that - thanks. How 'bout the rest with having it recognize / autoplay etc.?

Well when you insert a disc, first do you hear it making any noises, like the disc spinning or something?
If not there could be a problem with yours, because my friends MB, and my MB both make lots of noises when you insert a disc.

patrickj · 07-09-2008, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Saverino

Well when you insert a disc, first do you hear it making any noises, like the disc spinning or something?
If not there could be a problem with yours, because my friends MB, and my MB both make lots of noises when you insert a disc.

Yup - I hear it spinning pretty much as normal. And once I've gone through my fake restart routine if I do eject it and pop it back in, it then does place a desktop icon for it right away ...

Saverino · 07-09-2008, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by patrickj

Yup - I hear it spinning pretty much as normal. And once I've gone through my fake restart routine if I do eject it and pop it back in, it then does place a desktop icon for it right away ...

Hmm...I'm sorry, but I have no clue what to tell you.

kokogirl · 07-09-2008, 09:25 PM

Does this happen with all CD or just music Cd's?

patrickj · 07-09-2008, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by kokogirl

Does this happen with all CD or just music Cd's?

No music CDs tried - Software / Install CDs

kokogirl · 07-09-2008, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by patrickj

No music CDs tried - Software / Install CDs

OK. I was going to test it on my Macbook. I do not have any install CD's, only music so I cannot test for you right now. I installed iWork when I bought the computer, but I do not recall any problems.