HT203845: OS X: Low power alert with USB Devices, USB Keyboard, and USB SuperDrive

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chuckmccoy

Q: A "Powered USB Port" does not work on Mac Mini

I have an externally POWERED USB multiport unit. When I plug the Superdrive into a Powered Port on the unit which of course is plugged into my Mac Mini (2012) the Superdrive does not even act as if it is plugged in, and will not accept a disc. All ports are USB 3.0. So I am uncertain that the Superdrive will function on any USB port other than the one on the Mac itself. Any advice? I have El Capitan installed but it worked that way before the upgrade.

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X Mavericks 10.9.5

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 8:38 AM

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Q: A "Powered USB Port" does not work on Mac Mini

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Sep 22, 2016 8:41 AM in response to chuckmccoy
    Level 10 (190,248 points)
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    Sep 22, 2016 8:41 AM in response to chuckmccoy
  • by chuckmccoy,

    chuckmccoy chuckmccoy Sep 22, 2016 9:05 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (4 points)
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    Sep 22, 2016 9:05 AM in response to lllaass

    Yes I have one now - and I have a USB 3 External Hard drive attached to it now and use it for my daily backups.

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Sep 22, 2016 1:51 PM in response to chuckmccoy
    Level 7 (20,988 points)
    iPad
    Sep 22, 2016 1:51 PM in response to chuckmccoy

    Check the specs for your particular hub. Some powered hubs provide power to just one of the ports. Others provide full power to one port and minimal power to the remaining ports.

     

    You could test your hub by ejecting the external hard drive, then connecting the SuperDrive to that same port, since you know that one works fine.

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Sep 22, 2016 1:50 PM in response to chuckmccoy
    Level 7 (20,988 points)
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    Sep 22, 2016 1:50 PM in response to chuckmccoy

    .

  • by chuckmccoy,

    chuckmccoy chuckmccoy Sep 22, 2016 2:21 PM in response to Rysz
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 22, 2016 2:21 PM in response to Rysz

    Yes I have one now - and I have a USB 3 External Hard drive attached to it now and use it for my daily back up

     

    I am aware of the specs on the HUB it has two clearly designated Powerd Ports and I have tried both of them all I get is an alert telling me "USB device needs power connect the 'Apple USB Superdrive' to a USB Port on this Mac." I know these powered ports are indeed powered as they will charge my iPad Air2 and my iPhone 6S. The other ports will not charge them. So the Mac Mini knows that a Superdrive is connected but believes it isn't to a powered port. This could be because the Superdrive itself does not or cannot use the External Power source and Somehow is able to report to the Mac Mini it has no power. If I use an unpowered USB port on the Hub, I get the same result. Thus I conclude the Apple Mac has its own way of powering the Superdrive.  For reasons I won't go into here,  I need the Mac Mini to be wall mounted - but I cannot do that if the Suoerdrive only works when directly connected to the Mac's USB itself. I wonder if a USB 3.0 capable extension cord would work, if one were availble? Funny that my 1Tb external hard drive that is also USB only powered works fine when plugged into One of the Hub's unpowered ports.

  • by chuckmccoy,

    chuckmccoy chuckmccoy Sep 22, 2016 2:27 PM in response to Rysz
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 22, 2016 2:27 PM in response to Rysz

    Tried ejecting external hard drive and substituing the Superdrive, I get the same alert that the Superdrive needs a powered USB on this MAC.

  • by chuckmccoy,Solvedanswer

    chuckmccoy chuckmccoy Sep 22, 2016 3:05 PM in response to chuckmccoy
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 22, 2016 3:05 PM in response to chuckmccoy

    Tried ejecting external hard drive and substituing the Superdrive, I get the same alert that the Superdrive needs a powered USB on this MAC.

     

    I found the answer - I bought a Plugable (Brand name) 7-port USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Hub w/25 Watt external power supply through Amazon. But I checked with another supplier and found this on the description of the product:

     

    "Featuring the VIA VL812 Rev B2 USB 3.0 hub chipset updated to firmware version 9095 for maximum compatibility with almost all USB 3.0 hosts. Supports Microsoft Windows 10 through XP, Mac OS X, and Linux kernels 3.0 and later. Apple SuperDrive not compatible. Older Mac Pros with USB 3.0 PCI Express add-on cards may not work with this or any USB 3.0 hub. Full forward and backward compatibility between USB 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1 hosts and devices. Not recommended for use with older TI, Fresco Logic, Etron, or Wistron USB 3.0 host controllers. Requires no driver installation (although individual devices may require drivers). 2.4Ghz wireless devices such as keyboard/mouse receivers, Bluetooth and WiFi adapters, may not work in close proximity to USB 3.0 devices or hubs."


    So this Hub will not work with the Superdrive - problem solved in the sense I know why I have the issue. Think I will try the $2.99 USB 3.1 1.5 foot extension cord I just found before I get another Hub. Lesson - make certain you have all the specs and details before buying USB Hubs.