Kids and computers don’t always mix well

I sat down at my “secondary” computer recently, which is also used by my children. They’re not allowed to play with my MacBook, but they have their own limited-access account on the desktop iMac, and they like to watch DVDs, play games, and type on it. Yes, you might say they’re mini-geeks. They love computers.

While I was starting up my browser, I noticed a noise coming from the optical drive, where the CDs and DVDs go. It sounded like it was trying to eject a disc, and it kept happening every 10 seconds or so. I tried the conventional methods of ejecting, but the computer didn’t even seem to acknowledge the presence of a disc.

Unlike tray-loading drives, the iMac has a vertical slot without a tray. You just load the disc in part-way, and it takes it the rest of the way. It’s magical. Unfortunately, there’s no way to pry it open. There’s no door. There’s not even an emergency eject button to push with a straightened paper clip.

After trying everything I could think of, plus the tips recommended by Apple help, I shut down the machine and gave up. I asked the boys (ages 9 and 7) whether they knew what had happened to the computer. “I don’t know.” “It wasn’t me.”

I asked my daughter (age 3-1/2). “Do you know what happened to the computer? In here? Did you put something in here?” I pointed to the disc slot.

She smiled, flashed her big blue eyes, and said, “Um, yeah.”

“What did you put in here?”

“Two discus-es.”

Great. I don’t know how she did it, because when there’s one disc loaded, you can’t just slide in another one. She must have really applied all of her little fairy princess might to get that second “discus” wedged in there.

Well, it could have been worse. At least it’s not cheese and crackers… And now I get to pay a visit to the Apple Store.