Just upgraded my Mac to Sonoma 14.1.1. Computer was new July 2023. I want to upload some more CDs and the Mac doesn't recognize the CD drive. It is an LG Model GP65NB60. When connected to Mac it is on, can hear disk spinning, but can't access drive. Please help. Thanks.
Mac Pro (2023)
Mac can't locate external CD drive
Mac can't locate external CD drive
64LONG wrote:
Okay, back again. I got an adapter and plugged dvd drive directly into computer. It has electricity, as in open and closes to take CD, but it does not show in finder. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks/
I have to ask. Is there a disk in the drive? Like internal optical drives in older Macs, exernal players do not appear on the desktop or the finder sidebar, only the disk inside. No disk—nothing shows.
The Big Test: System information.
System Information User Guide for Mac - Apple Support
Optical player HARDWARE should show in SI if properly connected and functional, whether or not a disk is present.
This is what shows when I click on external. No idea what it means. Does not appear to be referring to my CD drive. The only other thing attached is the Samsung external drive that I use for Time Machine backup. I d on't think it's referring to that either. -
I sympathize. I ended up buying a new external drive. Never could figure out why the old one wouldn't work, but they are only about $30. New one is read by Mac just fine. Don't know how old you drive is. Mine was 6-7 years old and I just figured maybe the new OS didn't like it. Good luck
I have been having the same problem. For now, I seem to have solved it. The trick was to: 1) install the latest OS update. 2) plug the optical drive directly into the iMac, i.e. no intermediate hubs. I have no idea if that will work for all. BTW, my optical drive was purchased in 2017. Good luck to all.
I did that, and I was shocked--it worked with a regular DVD and played the previews on the Blu Ray, but stalled at the movie itself. It made it to the Play/Extra Features screen, but when I tried to make a selection, nothing happened.
His optical drive is not an Apple SuperDrive. It's a LG Model GP65NB60. So it may work from a hub. An adaptor will be cheaper as long as he doesn't have other devices to plug in.
Connect the CD/DVD drive directly to the computer rather than through a hub or dock.
Go to System Settings and scroll to the bottom of the sidebar. Does CDs & DVDs show up there? That is one indication that the Mac identifies the drive hardware.
Do you have Finder > Settings... > General check marked to "Show CDs, DVDs and iPods on the desktop"?
EDIT - Pinch, poke, Old Toad... you owe me a Coke! 🤣
CDs are checked in Finder,
It's not connected directly because it has the old type of USB plug and computer doesn't. Not sure I can even get a new cord that would connect directly because of the end that goes into the drive. BUT, next question is: there are only 4 USB ports on back, so I think I will always need a hub for something. Are some hubs better than others? Thank you so much for answering.
In System Settings CD & DVD does NOT show. In Finder Settings Show CDs is checked. But it's not connected direct to computer because it has the old type of USB plug and iMac doesn't. Any other ideas. Do you think it's possible that it's too old to be identified. It's probably about 6 years old, but very rarely used. Only to upload CD to Mac.
Thanks
Joan
Yes, some hubs are better than others. I prefer OWC (MacSales.com) for my 3rd party hardware. They have an excellent customer support group and can suggest which of their many self powered hubs would work best with your particular Mac, workflow and budget.
Okay, back again. I got an adapter and plugged dvd drive directly into computer. It has electricity, as in open and closes to take CD, but it does not show in finder. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks/
Okay, back again. I got an adapter and plugged dvd drive directly into computer. It has electricity, as in open and closes to take CD, but it does not show in finder. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks/
Last time to try. There is a disk and I can hear that the drive is working, but Mac still won't recognize it. Any last suggestions? If not I will get a new drive. Too frustrating. Thanks for everyone's help
did you ever find a solution? I have a new mac and yeah it's not seeing it, and I have an adapter not a hub.
I plugged it into our old mac (older than the drive) and it worked fine. So I'm guessing it's a matter of it can't connect with the newer Mac. Or rather the new Mac won't connect with it...
Mac can't locate external CD drive
