Q: Install LaCie LightScribe drive? Yosemite compatible drivers?
Mac Pro mid-2012 (model MacPro5,1)
Yosemite 10.10.2
I have an older working LaCie internal LightScribe drive I'd like to install into the available optical drive bay on this Mac Pro.
Specifically looking for information...
1. The LaCie drive has an IDE interface. Which IDE to SATA adapter will work with this? I see quite a few adapters on Amazon that are pretty cheap, but no mention of Apple/Mac compatibility. Anyone have a recommendation for a specific converter verified to work? What about the power connection? I don't see a 4-pin power connection or cable in this Mac, just the standard SATA connectors.
2. I know HP discontinued LightScribe a couple years ago and took down their LightScribe website in 2014. LaCie is still providing downloads for their software and drivers. I'm not too worried about labeling software as there are a few choices out there for Mac that burn LightScribe. I'm more concerned about the LightScribe drivers, last updated in 2009, still being compatible with this computer and/or Yosemite. Anyone have any experience with this?
3. Alternatively, does anyone know of a decent internal LightScribe SATA drive that will work with my hardware/OS configuration? I realize this might also be a problem since the technology was discontinued in 2013.
Thank-you!
Mac Pro (Mid 2012), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), 3.33 GHz 6-Core with 32 GB RAM
Posted on Mar 23, 2015 1:39 PM
SOFTWARE
I hooked up my LaCie LightScribe IDE drive to a universal USB adapter and installed the HP LightScribe drivers from this web-page. Through online research, I confirmed that this is the latest version available, and it's the same driver package previously distributed by LaCie and currently distributed by BeLight.
Using BeLight's Disc Cover (version 3.0.11) labeling software, I was successfully able to burn a LightScribe label.
So yes, the widely available HP LightScribe driver (version 1.18.27.10) works under Yosemite 10.10.2
HARDWARE
Now the issue of hooking up the IDE drive to the secondary optical bay using the Mac's internal 22-pin female SATA drive cable. The 2012 Mac Pro does not have any internal Molex connectors.
I found this IDE to SATA adapter card which would take care of the data bus utilizing a 7-pin SATA connection.
Then I'd need a female Molex power connection to hook into the drive. The IDE adapter card also needs a mini 4-pin power connector, so this 15-pin SATA to Molex & 4-pin adapter seems to fit the bill to power both the drive and the adapter card from a 15-pin SATA power connection. However, since the Mac's internal SATA connector is an all-in-one 22-pin female connector, I'd need a 22-pin male SATA connector that splits off the 7-pin and 15-pin connections separately. Here's one that seems to have it all, 22-pin male SATA plus 15-pin and 7-pin female SATA along with female/male Molex and 4-pin power.
Now, assuming all these cables, adapters and convertors work, I'm looking at roughly $20 - 25 for all.
Unfortunately, no seems to provide a simple adapter or kit that will plug-in directly between the Mac's 22-pin female SATA connection and the IDE & Molex connections on the drive.
Considering the number of adapters chained together, their combined cost, and the age of my LaCie drive, I decided to just buy a brand new Sony LightScribe SATA drive on eBay for about $30. Once I hook it up and test, I'll come back and post my results.
Posted on Mar 25, 2015 8:24 PM