Performa 6400 CD problems

[Meyerson]

Our trusty Performa 6400/200 refuses to read or boot from CD-ROMs. The Apple System Profiler acknowledges the presence of the CD drive, but none of the discs we insert show up on the desktop, etc. Discs seem not to spin in there, either, and can be ejected or removed freely via the front-of-case open/close button.

Is the drive dead, or just in need of some sort of jumpstart?

Thanks.

CM

 

[MacMan]

Sounds like the drive itself is either not connected properly or faulty in some way. Best check the cable at the back of the drive and on the motherboard to ensure it is properly seated.

Also, running a special cleaning CD through it may solve the problem as the drive's laser is possibly dirty.

 

[Charlieman]

The fact that you can eject a CD from the drive by pushing the front button indicates that the drive is not being controlled by software. This can mean a software problem or a hardware failure. Not booting from a CD? In that case it is a hardware problem. Have you tried using a CD-ROM cleaner disk. It is not a product that I would recommend for general use, but in your case it is worth a try.

 

[Meyerson]

Thanks for the answers. One more question: If, when starting the machine up while holding down the C key (with a bootable disc in the drive), one does not hear the CD spinning at all, what's that tell us?

Best wishes,

CM

 

[Charlieman]

Thanks for the answers. One more question: If, when starting the machine up while holding down the C key (with a bootable disc in the drive), one does not hear the CD spinning at all, what's that tell us?

It tells us that the CD drive isn't even trying to read the media, which tends to rule out a dirty laser.

 

[tomlee59]

If you never hear it attempt to spin, but the OS seems to acknowledge the drive's existence, one possibility is that the drive is not receiving the 12V it needs for the motor. The logic only requires 5V, so communication with the OS can proceed more or less normally, even if the 12V supply has a problem. If you've exhausted all the usual software possibilities, check the supply voltages feeding that drive.

If the voltages all check out ok, there is a reasonably high probability that the spindle motor (or its driver) is dead. Unless you are *really* determined to fix that particular drive, it'd be time for a replacement drive at that point.

 

[Meyerson]

Thank you all. Will act on your advice soon.