fluffs007

Q: USB SuperDrive install to 2008 iMac 7,1

I went out and bought a USB Superdrive.

Got home all excited ... plugged it in ... NOTHING ... and by NOTHING ... I mean NOTHING ????????

 

CAN ANYONE HELP ... ????

 

................................................................................ .......

 

PREVIOUS HISTORY OF PROBLEM STARTED .... Drive not working ... see below.

 

I have an iMac 7,1 running OS X and my DVD drive has to stop working

 

I put a disk in the drive and it makes a noise like its going to read it, then makes the noise again, and again ... then spits it back out.

 

Basically I insert disk into the side slot.

 

It sounds like its going to mount then stops, then sounds like its going to mount again and again, ... then spits the disk back out.

 

Nothing seems to be here on the forum.

 

............

 

There was mention of a superdrive with a simular problem and said they solved optical drive problems by cleaning the lens.

Wrapped a lens cloth around a credit card and slipped it into the slot of the optical drive. I think the lens is on the left side.

 

Could this work ???, ... if so which side is lens. My drive is a slot on the right hand side, of the Mac.

Mac OS X (10.5.8)

 

................................................................................ .......

 

As title says ... I have an - 2008 - iMac 7,1 - Intel Core 2 Duo - OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5630A -

Currently only running a OS X 10.5.8, but want to update.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jun 18, 2013 5:00 AM

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Q: USB SuperDrive install to 2008 iMac 7,1

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  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Jun 18, 2013 6:35 AM in response to fluffs007
    Level 6 (13,927 points)
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    Jun 18, 2013 6:35 AM in response to fluffs007

    What brand of drive is it?

    Does the optical drive's packaging have a works with OS X label anywhere on it?

    Do you have the drive plugged directly into a USB port on the back of your iMac?

    Does this drive have its own power supply OR does it work taking the iMac's power from the USB port?

    Have you tried putting in a known working disc? You won't know of the drive works unless you put in a disc and see if it mounts to the OS X desktop.

    Despite the common and popular belief on these help forums that any optical drive will work with a Mac, I believe not all optical drives work with Macs.

    And there has been many instances here where that has been proven true.

  • by fluffs007,

    fluffs007 fluffs007 Jun 18, 2013 7:07 AM in response to MichelPM
    Level 1 (17 points)
    iLife
    Jun 18, 2013 7:07 AM in response to MichelPM

    Brand is a APPLE USB Superdrive.

    Drive plugged directly into a USB port.

    Power from the USB port.

    Yes tried putting in a known working disc.

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Jun 18, 2013 7:16 AM in response to fluffs007
    Level 6 (13,927 points)
    iPad
    Jun 18, 2013 7:16 AM in response to fluffs007

    The new Apple USB SuperDrive only works with new iMacs that no longer come with a bulit-in SuperDrive.

    The Apple drive won't work with your model iMac or any model Mac that already has a bulit-in drive.

    I suggest purchasing other third party, Mac compatible optical from online Mac reseller and Mac hardware and device seller OWC ( macsales). They have optical  drives that are known to work across a variety of Mac models.

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/

     

    Good Luck!

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Jun 18, 2013 7:21 AM in response to MichelPM
    Level 6 (13,927 points)
    iPad
    Jun 18, 2013 7:21 AM in response to MichelPM

    Here's what the new Apple external SuperDrive is compatible with.

     

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD564ZM/A/apple-usb-superdrive

     

    Return this drive and purchase from the source I recommended.

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jun 18, 2013 8:37 AM in response to fluffs007
    Level 10 (313,508 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 18, 2013 8:37 AM in response to fluffs007

    If you want, you can get it to work by editing one of the computer's plist files.

     

    (84418)

  • by fluffs007,

    fluffs007 fluffs007 Jun 18, 2013 9:27 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (17 points)
    iLife
    Jun 18, 2013 9:27 PM in response to Niel

    I don't why Apple just don't have a patch?

     

    I might just take my Apple USB SuperDrive back, get a refund and buy one that is compatable with the 2008 - iMac 7,1 - Intel Core 2 Duo - OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5630A - Currently only running a OS X 10.5.8.

     

    Any Suggestions what external DVD drive is compatable and I can buy at the Apple Store?

  • by MichelPM,Helpful

    MichelPM MichelPM Jun 18, 2013 9:41 PM in response to fluffs007
    Level 6 (13,927 points)
    iPad
    Jun 18, 2013 9:41 PM in response to fluffs007

    I think you'll find that the Apple Stores may not have any other third party optical drives in their stores since they are phasing out optical drives in many of the Mac line. They are only selling and promoting their own external optical drive as an option, now.

    Did you notice any other external drives for sale when you were at the Apple Store last?

    If you have another local source for Apple hardware like an authorized Apple reseller or you try your local electronics chain for optical drives. You need to make sure the third party drives show a Mac OS X logo on the box that indicates the optical drive is compatible with Macs.

    Any reason why you are objectionable to ordering from a known online source for Mac compatible products?

    OWC is a great supplier for all things Mac and you will have zero issues, by and large, with compatibilty issues.

  • by fluffs007,

    fluffs007 fluffs007 Jun 18, 2013 10:05 PM in response to MichelPM
    Level 1 (17 points)
    iLife
    Jun 18, 2013 10:05 PM in response to MichelPM

    Basically I am in Fremantle, Western Australia, and I need something now. can't wait days for a dilivery.

    Was hoping to buy it local, and across the counter.

     

    My experience with third party devices (maybe drives) is they connect but then do not work and you need to get patches and other bits to make them work properly. I was trying to avoid that. Alas ... Hmmmmm

     

    Unfortunatly I listened to the sales person at a store that sold Apple products.

    I now I have to take my Apple USB SuperDrive back, get a refund and buy one that works.

  • by MichelPM,Helpful

    MichelPM MichelPM Jun 18, 2013 10:18 PM in response to fluffs007
    Level 6 (13,927 points)
    iPad
    Jun 18, 2013 10:18 PM in response to fluffs007

    If you have any other electronics/computer stores, or really check the Apple Store for other third party drives.

    Most third party drives will work with Macs, but I am convinced, not all.

    So, look around the Apple Store or ask the Apple Store employee if they have any other drives in stock or on the shelves. If, no, then you have no choice but to try other local computer/electronics stores.

    Good Luck!

  • by fluffs007,

    fluffs007 fluffs007 Jun 18, 2013 10:37 PM in response to MichelPM
    Level 1 (17 points)
    iLife
    Jun 18, 2013 10:37 PM in response to MichelPM

    Thanks again,

     

    I would have really liked to use the Apple USB SuperDrive.

     

    Its a shame Apple do not read these discussions,

    and realise that there is a problem out there,

    and make a patch or a plist file.

     

    I was going to use the suggested plist file, but decided it was to risky.

    Also I am not that tech savy, and don't want to risk stuffing up my Mac.

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Jun 19, 2013 6:29 AM in response to fluffs007
    Level 6 (13,927 points)
    iPad
    Jun 19, 2013 6:29 AM in response to fluffs007

    "I was going to use the suggested plist file, but decided it was to risky.

    Also I am not that tech savy, and don't want to risk stuffing up my Mac."

     

    I do not blame you. I am am fairly tech savvy, myself, but don't like playing around in the Terminal app because if you mis- type one little thing wrong, it can cause problems with the OS or render it frozen with no way to fix it if you don't have another bootable clone of your current system.

    Again, Good Luck!

  • by fluffs007,

    fluffs007 fluffs007 Jun 21, 2013 6:23 PM in response to MichelPM
    Level 1 (17 points)
    iLife
    Jun 21, 2013 6:23 PM in response to MichelPM

    I aggree what was was written above, as I am not that tech savy, and don't want to risk stuffing up my Mac, I did not presue this.

     

    My understanding from the "Genius Bar" that the Apple USB SuperDrive cannot be used, and to risky to amend your own plist file, even they were not confident, which means either they not that savy themselfs.
    There is no "plist file" or "pluggin" that they had or could supply, or would they amend a Plist to make it work with old systems 2008 iMac.

     

    I find this unbelieveable that Apple has left it so that the only option is to fix the old drive, which is in my Mac.

     

    This is such a common problem of breakdown (as you can see by the numerous support requests, not just here but other Mac disscussion forums). So many Mac users out there, many with the same problem, or simular problems you would of thought that Apple would sort this, or make the new Apple USB SuperDrive be able to work with old Mac's.


    It was quoted by Apple as $300 to $500 to fix, but would not be sure until they had the Mac booked in for service, which could take up to 3 to 5 working days to fix. A lot and a long time.

     

    It was suggested by JB HiFi and by the Apple "Genius Bar" once I expressed my outrage, that the only external drive that may work and that was "all compatable with Mac" was a LITEON for $50.

     

    I purchased the LITEON plugged in, and away I went, played, CD, DVD, burnt all OK.

     

    HOPE THIS HELPS OTHERS

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Jun 21, 2013 7:21 PM in response to fluffs007
    Level 6 (13,927 points)
    iPad
    Jun 21, 2013 7:21 PM in response to fluffs007

    Glad your new drive works.

    FYI, like I stated, there are many other Mac-compatible ootical drives out there.

    Optical drive enclosures with the LiteOn optical drive is one of the known Mac- compatible drives.

    I have an old 52X CD burning drive only the was a LiteOn drive and it works, actually still works great!

    Is this a tray loading drive? Those will last longer than a slot loading style drive.

  • by fluffs007,

    fluffs007 fluffs007 Jun 21, 2013 7:52 PM in response to MichelPM
    Level 1 (17 points)
    iLife
    Jun 21, 2013 7:52 PM in response to MichelPM

    I hear what your saying, but the "Genius Bar" recon the one to get was the LITEON.
    Other Mac-compatible optical drives out there, ... may work but have to have plugins etc, ... to get to burn or work completely.

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