Sonoma 14.0 and Apple USB SuperDrive - are they compatible?

Using a MacBook Pro (Apple M1) running Sonoma 14.0 I am unable to use an Apple USB SuperDrive. I'm looking at this help topic:


How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive - Apple Support


For example, a DVD is inserted in the drive, and the drive is shiny-side up and connected to the computer. I'd like to eject the disc.


My steps:

1. Restart the computer with the SuperDrive attached via a dongle, with a disc inserted. I can hear the motor in the SuperDrive making what sound like normal chunking and whirring noises, so it seems the device is attached and powered up.

2. Open Finder, then open the File menu.

Note - I can hear continuing motor noises from the SuperDive. It's doing something. Maybe starting to play the disc?


Expected

I'd expect to see a DVD player menu, and I expect to be able to eject the disc.


Actual

The device seems inaccessible and unresponsive. No Eject menu item, no DVD player menu. Unable to recover the disc.


MacBook Pro 13″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Nov 9, 2023 8:21 AM

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Posted on Nov 9, 2023 12:01 PM

THE most common problem with these DVD readers is not enough power, because they draw 900 milliAmps, the maximum allowed for a DIRECT USB port connection, and anything that reduces that (like a a hub or a wonky adapter) lowers the amount of power too much.


Allan Jones posted this excellent report about USB power, which you can verify at:


 menu > About this Mac > (System Report) > Hardware > USB:





...

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Nov 9, 2023 12:01 PM in response to johncla

THE most common problem with these DVD readers is not enough power, because they draw 900 milliAmps, the maximum allowed for a DIRECT USB port connection, and anything that reduces that (like a a hub or a wonky adapter) lowers the amount of power too much.


Allan Jones posted this excellent report about USB power, which you can verify at:


 menu > About this Mac > (System Report) > Hardware > USB:





...

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Nov 9, 2023 8:35 AM in response to johncla

The typical presentation for slot-loader drives is label-side up, for user convenience.


DVD reader DEVICES are not shown directly in Finder, only drives with a readable DVD, when the Volume is loaded.


Restart your Mac and hold the mouse until the reader spits out the disc.

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Nov 9, 2023 8:56 AM in response to johncla

The USB SuperDrive was last updated in Summer 2012 so I expect some inconveniences with newer OS version. I'm sure you do not.


...attached via a dongle


Do you mean a USB-C adapter or something else?

Numerous reports here say that Apple's USB-C adapters often get the old SuperDrive working when other brands do not. I guess they are not all created equally. This are the three Apple adapters other senior contributors here have recommended:



— I'd like to eject the disc.


Try this: with the SuperDrive attached, restart the computer while holding the trackpad in the "click" position. Or do the same with and external mouse , holding the main click button down.


—Did you buy the SD with the computer, or is it an older one you've owned for a while?


I ask because any slot-load optical drive gets filthy with time. Dust/lint around the internal lens will let the drive make all the proper noises but not mount the disk. However, it should auto-eject after a failed attempt to mount.


Trying to sort through the possibilities.


AJ

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Nov 9, 2023 4:42 PM in response to johncla

johncla wrote:
In my case, following the lead above I see my Apple USB Superdrive listed as requiring 500 mA and current available as 500 mA. So...you think that's the problem...not enough power available?

As I said, still on Ventura. But with my SD connected and a disc in and mounted, here's what System Profiler shows:

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Nov 9, 2023 8:56 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks! Flipping it label up (shiny-side down) seems to help, but...


I assume when you write "Restart your Mac and hold the mouse" you mean hold the left button down.

I did that, with no visible result. Zip, nothing.


Initially, flipping the device label-up gave me a DVD menu on screen, but clicking choices on the menu did nothing. Seemed to be dead.

Still can't play the disc or eject it. But I did see the player menu, briefly.

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Nov 9, 2023 9:50 AM in response to Allan Jones

Thanks!


**Your 1st question - I'm using a USB-C to USB adaptor

**Your last question about the source of the disk player - I bought it about a year ago. Used it successfully I think once or twice before upgrading the OS.

**Your 2nd question:

My steps:

1. Restart

2. As soon as the screen goes black, depress the lower left corner of the trackpad and hold it down

3. Wait until the computer reboots, still holding the trackpad lower left corner down, until it asks for a password.

4. Wait for a count of ten.

5. Lift my finger, enter the password, depress the lower left corner again

6. Hold until the computer finishes startup, continue holding for a count of ten


No visible result

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Nov 9, 2023 10:22 AM in response to Allan Jones

Allan Jones wrote:

Do you mean a USB-C adapter or something else?
Numerous reports here say that Apple's USB-C adapters often get the old SuperDrive working when other brands do not. I guess they are not all created equally.

They are not. I use a $10 nonda adapter from Amazon, and it works perfectly on a multiple MBPs and MBAs. However, I can't comment on this topic because I've not yet updated to Sonoma.

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Nov 9, 2023 10:52 AM in response to neuroanatomist

In Allen Jones' reply above he asked what kind of adaptor I was using. In the list of options there is a link to a topic with a photo: "USB-C to USB Adaptor". My adaptor matches the photo in that topic, so I assume I'm using a USB-C to USB adaptor, source unknown.

You're pointing to a piece of his text I slid over, where suggests getting an "Apple USB-C adaptor". I can try that.


But - I just clicked thru and it looks like I can order it --- but they'll only deliver to an Apple store and I have to go pick it up.

Yow. I'm not gonna do that, just on principle. I'll call support w this issue and see what they can do.

Thanks for your help!

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Nov 9, 2023 4:31 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Brilliant! No sarcasm intended -- not brilliant for the system engineer/designer types, but brilliant by you guys responding on this thread.


In my case, following the lead above I see my Apple USB Superdrive listed as requiring 500 mA and current available as 500 mA. So...you think that's the problem...not enough power available?


But...my memory is this device worked ok on a previous OS version. (If it had not I would have kicked it back to Apple at the time and asked for a refund.)

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Sonoma 14.0 and Apple USB SuperDrive - are they compatible?

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