heyjude104

Q: El Capitan suddenly not recognizing optical drive

I have a MacBook Air running El Capitan, purchased 3/2016. I purchased the optical drive at the same time I purchased the computer. I have been using the external drive to burn DVD's and CD's. All worked well until I plugged the optical drive in yesterday. I opened iTunes, plugged in the drive, inserted a cd, and the window showing I had inserted the cd never popped up. The finder doesn't show the drive, even though I have checked in preferences for it to show. The only way I could safely eject the cd was by going to disk utility where I could see the drive and the cd, and eject it.

 

I checked to make sure that the drive still operates by inserting both a DVD or CD on the optical drive. Both will play properly, but still have to return to the disk utility in order to eject them since the drive doesn't show up anywhere else.

 

With iTunes running, and the drive plugged in with a blank CD inserted, the "Burn playlist to disk" is grayed out, since the computer isn't recognizing the drive.

 

What can I do to get the computer/El Capitan to recognize the drive again?

MBA, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Aug 8, 2016 5:54 AM

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Q: El Capitan suddenly not recognizing optical drive

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  • by SigersonLTD,

    SigersonLTD SigersonLTD Sep 13, 2016 3:19 PM in response to heyjude104
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 13, 2016 3:19 PM in response to heyjude104

    I have a similar issue with a 21.5" iMac that I bought used. I've tried most of the suggestions with limited success. Someone said I should post the result from running Etrecheck here:

     

    EtreCheck version: 3.0.3 (307)

    Report generated 2016-09-12 15:30:33

    Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 8:01

    Performance: Below Average

     

    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

     

    Problem: Other problem

    Description:

    DVD Drive not loading DVD’s

     

    Hardware Information: ⓘ

        iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        iMac - model: iMac10,1

        1 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core

        4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                Empty  

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                Empty  

            BANK 0/DIMM1

                2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM1

                2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

        Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

        Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

     

    Video Information: ⓘ

        NVIDIA GeForce 9400 - VRAM: 256 MB

            iMac 1920 x 1080

     

    System Software: ⓘ

        OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 (15G1004) - Time since boot: about 7 days

     

    Disk Information: ⓘ

        WDC WD10EVVS-63M5B0 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            iMAC (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (656.99 GB free)

            Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

     

        OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H   ()

     

    USB Information: ⓘ

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

        Microsoft Microsoft¬Æ 2.4GHz Transceiver v7.0

        USB USB Keykoard

        hp deskjet 5100

        Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

        Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

        Apple Card Reader

     

    Configuration files: ⓘ

        /etc/sudoers, File size 1242 but expected 2299

        /etc/sysctl.conf - File exists but not expected

     

    Gatekeeper: ⓘ

        Anywhere

     

    Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

            /Library/Application Support/Avast/components/fileshield/unsigned

        [loaded]    com.avast.AvastFileShield (3.0.0 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-08-18) [Support]

     

            /Library/Application Support/Avast/components/proxy/unsigned

        [loaded]    com.avast.PacketForwarder (2.1 - SDK 10.11 - 2016-08-18) [Support]

     

    System Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [not loaded]    8 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    157 Apple tasks

        [running]    48 Apple tasks

        [killed]    25 Apple tasks

        25 processes killed due to insufficient RAM

     

    System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

        [not loaded]    44 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    150 Apple tasks

        [running]    67 Apple tasks

        [killed]    29 Apple tasks

        29 processes killed due to insufficient RAM

     

    Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [not loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2016-06-21) [Support]

        [running]    com.avast.update-agent.plist (2016-08-19) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.avast.userinit.plist (2016-08-19) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-07-11) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons: ⓘ

        [running]    com.adobe.agsservice.plist (2016-08-19) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-06-28) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.avast.init.plist (2016-08-19) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.avast.uninstall.plist (2016-08-19) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.avast.update.plist (2016-08-19) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.avid.sari.plist (2015-08-07) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-09-01) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.skype.skypeinstaller.plist (2015-12-04) [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.avast.home.userinit.plist (2016-08-20) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist (2016-07-27) [Support]

     

    User Login Items: ⓘ

        iTunesHelper    Application  (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

        Dropbox    Application  (~/Desktop/Dropbox.app)

        Google Drive    Application  (/Applications/Google Drive.app)

     

    Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        DirectorShockwave: 12.2.4r194 - SDK 10.6 (2016-02-22) [Support]

        o1dbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2016-08-20) [Support]

        Google Earth Web Plug-in: 7.1 (2016-02-03) [Support]

        Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-07-08)

        AdobeAAMDetect: AdobeAAMDetect 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-06-21) [Support]

        FlashPlayer-10.6: 22.0.0.209 - SDK 10.9 (2016-07-22) [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-07-08)

        Flash Player: 22.0.0.209 - SDK 10.9 (2016-07-22) [Support]

        googletalkbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-11) [Support]

        PepperFlashPlayer: 22.0.0.209 - SDK 10.6 (2016-07-25) [Support]

        iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 - SDK 10.7 (2016-03-12)

        JavaAppletPlugin: 15.0.1 - SDK 10.11 (2015-05-16) Check version

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

        Flash Player (2016-06-28) [Support]

        Perian (2011-07-23) [Support]

     

    Time Machine: ⓘ

        Skip System Files: NO

        Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

        Volumes being backed up:

            iMAC: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 342.35 GB

        Destinations:

            Batcave West [Local]

            Total size: 0 B

            Total number of backups: 0

            Oldest backup: -

            Last backup: -

            Size of backup disk: Too small

                Backup size 0 B < (Disk used 342.35 GB X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

             5%    WindowServer

             4%    mdworker(26)

             3%    kernel_task

             1%    plugin-container

             0%    mds

     

    Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

        893 MB    firefox

        516 MB    kernel_task

        418 MB    mdworker(26)

        172 MB    thunderbird

        82 MB    com.avast.daemon

     

    Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

        23 MB    Free RAM

        4.23 GB    Used RAM (471 MB Cached)

        252 MB    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

        Sep 11, 2016, 11:56:47 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Drive_2016-09-11-115647_[redacted].crash

            com.google.GoogleDrive - /Applications/Google Drive.app/Contents/MacOS/Google Drive

        Sep 11, 2016, 11:12:19 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/firefox_2016-09-11-111219_[redacted].cpu_resour ce.diag [Details]

            /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox

        Sep 11, 2016, 05:03:45 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/TweetDeck_2016-09-11-050345_[redacted].cpu_reso urce.diag [Details]

            /Applications/TweetDeck.app/Contents/MacOS/TweetDeck

        Sep 10, 2016, 10:01:07 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Drive_2016-09-10-220107_[redacted].crash

        Sep 10, 2016, 04:16:55 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Drive_2016-09-10-161655_[redacted].crash

        Sep 10, 2016, 04:16:40 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/FinderSyncAPIExtension_2016-09-10-161640_[reda cted].crash

            /Applications/Google Drive.app/Contents/PlugIns/FinderSyncAPIExtension.appex/Contents/MacOS/FinderSy ncAPIExtension

        Sep 9, 2016, 09:47:15 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Drive_2016-09-09-214715_[redacted].crash

        Sep 9, 2016, 04:29:34 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Drive_2016-09-09-162934_[redacted].crash

     

     

    Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated, and apologies if I've posted in the wrong place.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Sep 14, 2016 1:26 PM in response to SigersonLTD
    Level 7 (23,833 points)
    Safari
    Sep 14, 2016 1:26 PM in response to SigersonLTD

    Does your Mac play Audio CDs?

  • by SigersonLTD,

    SigersonLTD SigersonLTD Sep 14, 2016 1:59 PM in response to heyjude104
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 14, 2016 1:59 PM in response to heyjude104

    Yes, and it will also recognize unformatted discs, and ask me what I want to do with them.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Sep 14, 2016 2:33 PM in response to SigersonLTD
    Level 7 (23,833 points)
    Safari
    Sep 14, 2016 2:33 PM in response to SigersonLTD

    Does it/will it play video DVDs? Please do not change the region code of your DVD player.

  • by SigersonLTD,

    SigersonLTD SigersonLTD Sep 14, 2016 2:40 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 14, 2016 2:40 PM in response to Loner T

    I don't know that I changed the region code of my DVD player, and it is NOT playing video DVDs. Is this the problem? And if so, how to fix?

    Thanks for your help today.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Sep 14, 2016 5:28 PM in response to SigersonLTD
    Level 7 (23,833 points)
    Safari
    Sep 14, 2016 5:28 PM in response to SigersonLTD

    Can you use the link for DVD Info X 3 and find out details?

  • by SigersonLTD,

    SigersonLTD SigersonLTD Sep 17, 2016 11:25 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 17, 2016 11:25 AM in response to Loner T

    A link was not provided for me at that point. I've run Etrecheck again, however I got the same result. Am I looking in the wrong place?

     

    In any case, I believe I've resolved all other problems except for two:

    1. The errors in red about the filesize and extra file, and
    2. DVD's not playing.

    Thanks again for all your help. I anxiously await your reply.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Sep 17, 2016 1:44 PM in response to SigersonLTD
    Level 7 (23,833 points)
    Safari
    Sep 17, 2016 1:44 PM in response to SigersonLTD

    Please see this link for DVD Info X 3.

  • by SigersonLTD,

    SigersonLTD SigersonLTD Sep 18, 2016 4:18 PM in response to SigersonLTD
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 18, 2016 4:18 PM in response to SigersonLTD

    Ran what you recommended, and it says RPC-2 (Region Locked) I have Region 1, 4 resets left, etc.  Not sure how to unlock.

     

    Thanks again for your help.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Sep 18, 2016 7:03 PM in response to SigersonLTD
    Level 7 (23,833 points)
    Safari
    Sep 18, 2016 7:03 PM in response to SigersonLTD

    Please do not modify and/or change the settings for Region Code. Your DVD drive looks fine.

     

    Is it possible to uninstall/remove the Optical drive and put it in an external enclosure and test if it works on a difference Mac/computer?

  • by SigersonLTD,

    SigersonLTD SigersonLTD Sep 19, 2016 9:39 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 19, 2016 9:39 AM in response to Loner T

    No.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Sep 19, 2016 10:19 AM in response to SigersonLTD
    Level 7 (23,833 points)
    Safari
    Sep 19, 2016 10:19 AM in response to SigersonLTD

    Do you have access to a second Mac? If you put in a regular Video DVD, does Applications -> Utilities -> Console show  any drive-related error messages?

  • by SigersonLTD,

    SigersonLTD SigersonLTD Sep 19, 2016 10:40 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 19, 2016 10:40 AM in response to Loner T

    Yes, and no.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Sep 19, 2016 11:32 AM in response to SigersonLTD
    Level 7 (23,833 points)
    Safari
    Sep 19, 2016 11:32 AM in response to SigersonLTD

    If both Macs are connected to the same network, enable DVD/CD sharing on the non-working Mac, insert a DVD Video, and on the second Mac, use Remote Disc and check if the DVD Player will let you play the DVD.

     

    Another option is to Install Mavericks - How to install OS X on an external drive connected to your Mac - Apple Support - and booting from it to check out the DVD drive.

  • by SigersonLTD,

    SigersonLTD SigersonLTD Sep 19, 2016 4:13 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 19, 2016 4:13 PM in response to Loner T

    Apologies, as I may have misled you.  DVD's are not mounting on this Mac at all. I thought that was clear. Putting a DVD in the "non-working Mac" will not garner any new info, as the DVD's are simply not mounting; they get spit right back out.

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