This is getting funny. Apple definitely has *their* way of doing things.


The new iMac computers do not have a CD/DVD drive built into them. You
have to buy an external drive known as a "SmartDrive" that connects via
USB. No controls or anything on it. Just a square, external drive.

So, today Mrs.E. went up to the Apple store and got a SmartDrive.


The instructions for it consists of three sentences:

1. Ensure you have the latest OS update. (She does).
2. To play DVD, depress the "Play" button.
3. To eject the DVD, depress the "Eject" button.

That's it.

So, she plugs the SmartDrive into one of the USB ports and inserts a
DVD. It turns on, spins for about 15 seconds then spits the DVD back
out. Tried it again ... same thing.

We tried another DVD. Turned on, spun for 15 seconds then spit it out.
Tried a commercially produced CD. Same thing. No error messages,
nothing. It just spits the disk back out.

We checked the preference settings for the DVD/CD player in the
computer. They are all fine. It's supposed to automatically start up
and play when a DVD or CD is inserted.

She finally gave up. Meanwhile, I am thinking she got a bad drive or
maybe the USB ports weren't working or something.

She called the Apple support line and got some guy who we could barely
understand. She described the problem and after trying it all again
without success, he said he would put her on hold for a couple of
minutes while he "researched" the problem.

Meanwhile, I went outside because I was getting a little frustrated.

I don't know what made me think of it, but I suddenly realized what the
problem was. I went back into the house just as the guy was coming
back on the phone with my wife.

I took the DVD, turned it upside down, inserted it and it started
playing the movie as it should.

The SmartDrive is plain silver on one side. The other side is black and
has the Apple logo on it. She had that side facing up. It's actually
a rubber pad and is supposed to be the side that sits on your desk. The
plain silver side is "up".

The Apple guy got a kick out of it and said it was the first time he had
received a trouble call like that about the SmartDrive. He said he
would recommend that Apple put something in the directions that
indicates what side is up for us Mac illiterates.