Macbook DVD doesn't work...
 

The DVD/etc doesn't work on my daughters Macbook. It's probably 4-5 years old and will not read or write anything.

How do I diagnose or replaced it?
Is it worth it or do I just part it out?
Cost for a DIYer?

Found a link that does a good job os showing how to replace one here: MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement - iFixit

Thoughts?

drives are cheap under $50
and should not be too hard to replace

or get a firewire external DVD for a few bucks more

Mine just requires a cleaning cd with brushes inserted when it won't read.

i bet the nice nerd at the Genius bar fixes it for free for you..(helps if you dont call him a nerd)

hahahha..nicest, smartest and friendliest customer service EVER at the genius bar found in any Apple store.

My wife and daughter took it to the Apple store. Guy said it wasn't worth fixing. They came home with a new $1,800 MacBook Pro. :rolleyes:

My thoughts were to fix the DVD drive and sell it. Or just sell it for parts the way it sits. Still works good, just no DVD/CD drive.

What's the going rate for a Macbook needing a DVD/CD drive or parting out?

See? They really are "geniuses". He took what would've been a $300 repair order and turned it into a $1800 sale.

I replaced the DVD drive in my wife's MacBook. Took about 1/2 hour. Go to iFixit. The drive will cost < $100. While you're at it, max out the DRAM (Crucial.com, etc). Then you have a spare/extra Mac, which is handy.

How do I determine the correct drive to buy, max DRAM and what I have now?

I'm computer impaired...

LOL!!!!

Got same genius advice when we took the mini mac from work in... and they wanted $50 to diagnose it further... so much for that free service you pay extra up front for.

I don't hate apple, they make good machines, but at the end of the day you are getting just another circuit board cranked out in China.

Yep. In the past 6 months we've had 3 machines die beyond an inexpensive repair. 2 MacBooks and one Mac Mini. All right around the 3.5 year mark, so Apple "Care" is no longer good.

My daily driver is an Acer Aspire One 722 (11" netbook) running Xubuntu now. Total cost: $325. My company is supposed to be giving me an Ultrabook by the end of the year, so I'm not about to pay $1k+ for the thrill of owning another future doorstop.

For drive, go to iFixit or any other DIY computer repair site, they sell the drives and have instructions on how to replace it. You just need to know year of your MacBook. See YouTube for videos too.

For DRAM, use the MacBook and go to crucial.com, download the system scanner, it determines appropriate DRAM and they have good prices too (it is part of Micron).

Taking apart MacBooks is not hard. Small screwdriver or Torx driver, a small knife blade for gently prying, anti-static procedure, patience. Helps to have the procedure all printed out or displayed on a neighboring computer.

Could become your man cave Mac.

they wouldnt fix it? wow!!!

they fixed my 8 year old macbook for free. the hard-drive died. i lost everything but got the machine back. i wont fix the next disaster..i'll buy another.

Yeah I'd put it out in the garage.

You don't really need a cd drive anymore especially if you have another device in the house to rip media.

Thanks for the info jyl. I'll give it a try.

I've got a Compaq laptop I've used for years, so I won't be rushing to use the Macbook. Probably fix and sell it.