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General discussion

Cannot mount any CD in OS

Aug 13, 2007 2:51AM PDT

Hi,

I have a G4/733 running OS 10.3.9.

I tried to upgrade to OS 10.4, but unfortunately my MacAlly keyboard with programmable features does not support this version of OS X, and the volume controls and CD drive tray controls from the keyboard stopped working. That's not really a problem because there are other ways to achieve these operations.

After backing up my important data on a server and CDs (I only have a CD drive), I downgraded back to 10.3.9 using the Archive & Install option, knowing that certain issues could arise (which is why I backed up my data). The worst that could happen, I thought, was that I would have to reinstall OS completely by wiping my hard drive (which was not a problem, I just wanted to save some time and see if the other way could work).

Problem is, after downgrading and restarting the computer, OS X won't mount CDs anymore, and my Mac will not even boot from the Install CD. As soon as I put a CD in the drive, the computer spits it back out 15 seconds later, and starts the OS. Also, at startup, the CD drive door opens automatically, and if I close it, it opens again 15 seconds later...

So basically, I can't reinstall OS at all!!!!

Here's what I did up to now:
-I checked the Finder options to make sure that mounted CDs are to appear on the desktop when mounted.
-I downloaded Onyx to try and remove installation files in the system cache that could corrupt the system. Didn't work.
-I also used Onyx to use the system profiler (which doesn't work anymore in OS), and my CD drive was listed in the hardware list. A bit of good news.
-I emptied the PRAM. Didn't work either.

I really doubt that it's a hardware issue, since my CD drive worked wonders before the downgrade, and is recognized by the system. It just wount mount CDs. The only thing I need to do is format my hard drive and reinstall OS 10.3.9.

Any hints?
Thanks!

Gys

Discussion is locked

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Let's hear from Macfixit but my thought is...
Aug 13, 2007 3:04AM PDT

"my Mac will not even boot from the Install CD. As soon as I put a CD in the drive, the computer spits it back out 15 seconds later"

When I see that I try another CD drive. Of course we'll try another install CD/DVD first but usually it's an old drive.

Before that we'll toss the CD/DVD lens cleaner in since we are talking the last hurrah.

Bob

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My, how you wax lyrical, Bob
Aug 13, 2007 9:31AM PDT

Yep, time to drag out the lens cleaner and to run the Disk Permissions tool in Disk Utility.

Replacement optical drives are very cheap and a good DVD burner, supported by OS X, can be had at www.macsales for the princely sum of $39 + shipping.

Of course, it is is a permissions thing, a new drive will not help. Clean and fix, in that order and let us know how you get on.

P

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Just wondering.
Aug 13, 2007 9:37AM PDT

If I can't boot from the install CD, how could that be a permissions thing since the OS has yet to boot?

Slightly confused.

Bob

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The poster said,
Aug 13, 2007 10:54AM PDT

"As soon as I put a CD in the drive, the computer spits it back out 15 seconds later, and starts the OS."

I took that to indicate that the machine booted into an OS, just not the one he wanted.

P