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Q: cannot connect dvd external

I have an external dvd player that is supposed to be plug and play. My MAC pro won't recognize it. If you look under disk utilities when it is plugged in, it is on the bottom, but grayed out. I can't read any disks, it won't show up as an installed device in finder or on my desk top - nothing...the DVD manufacturer said because it is showing up in the utility, it is a problem with my mac set up...anyone? This is my first MAC.

Posted on Jul 16, 2014 10:55 AM

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Q: cannot connect dvd external

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Jul 16, 2014 11:26 AM in response to feeferlump
    Level 10 (189,795 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 16, 2014 11:26 AM in response to feeferlump

    The optical drive only shows up in Finder if there is readable media in the drive.

     

    You said:

     

    Are the disks readable by the Mac OS? If not they will not show up.

    What does disk utility say about the diska?

  • by feeferlump,

    feeferlump feeferlump Jul 16, 2014 1:38 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 16, 2014 1:38 PM in response to lllaass

    I have put in DVDs with photos on them - nothing, I have put in blank disks as if to burn something - nothing, I have put in CDs with photos - nothing - these disks have just .jpg images and still nothing.

     

    Even if I put a blank disk in, it still says its waiting for readable media. I have put in both +R and -R disks - and the already burned disks with backed up images - nothing shows up in the finder. Finder preference shows  all Hard disks, external disks, CD, DVD, Ipod, Connected  serves to show

     

    Disk Utility says:

    at the bottom - shows the cd symbol - although grayed out - with

    hp DVDRAM GT30L (which is the unit) but it is gray - I can't do anything with it - If I select it in the utility, the only thing it will allow is to open and eject the disk - it says "waiting for a disc to be inserted"

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Jul 16, 2014 3:28 PM in response to feeferlump
    Level 10 (189,795 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 16, 2014 3:28 PM in response to feeferlump

    Do USB HDs work on the Mac?

    Does the DVD drive work on other computer. even a PC?

    Maybe a bad drive.

  • by feeferlump,

    feeferlump feeferlump Jul 16, 2014 4:12 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 16, 2014 4:12 PM in response to lllaass

    It was the drive - I finally took it off - and put on a MAC superdrive instead - this works fine now - junk that says it works with both systems!