In Mac OS X, how do I troubleshoot problems reading CD and DVD media?

If your Mac OS X computer is having problems reading CD and DVD media, use the following troubleshooting information to try to determine the cause of the problem:

Check your media and hardware

• Determine what kind of drive you have and the media it supports. For example, a DVD drive is required to read DVDs. For detailed information about your system, from the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and then click More Info... . You can also contact your vendor (e.g., contact Apple for an internal drive included with your Mac).
  
  
• Make sure you have the right side facing up. For single-sided discs, the label should face up, unless the drive is vertically mounted, in which case the label should be facing toward you. For double-sided DVDs, flip the disc over and see if it will mount
  
  
• Make sure the disc is correctly placed in the drive. If the tray has a central spindle, such as in the original iMac, the disc must be snapped into place.
  
  
• See if the disc is dirty or damaged. The easiest way to do this is to try it in another computer with a compatible drive. If it's an audio CD or a video DVD, you might also try it in a CD or DVD player. If you suspect your disc is dirty, clean it with a soft, damp cloth. Use water or a dedicated CD/DVD cleaner such as Klear Kloths, and do not touch the shiny surface with your fingers. If you suspect your CD or DVD is damaged, repair kits are available from many vendors.
  
  
• Try another disc of the same type in the drive. If you have trouble with both discs, you may have software problems, or your drive may need to be cleaned or repaired.

Check your software

• Check your Finder preferences. With the Finder active, from the Finder menu, select Preferences... . Click the General icon, and look under "Show these items on the Desktop:". Make sure the box next to CDs, DVDs, and iPods is checked. If it isn't, when you insert a CD or DVD, its icon will appear in Finder windows, but not on the desktop itself.
  
  
• If you have difficulty after installing third-party software, you may need to uninstall it or use an updated version. Contact the vendor of the software for more information.
  
  
• Check Apple's site for updated software, drivers, or firmware; see For Mac OS X, how do I obtain and install system software updates? If you are using a third-party CD or DVD drive, contact the vendor and ask about updates.

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