using my superdrive with new macbook pro 2020

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Level 1

9 points

using my superdrive with new macbook pro 2020

If I plug the superdrive into my new macbook pro via a type c adapter my drive will connect and sometimes play the CD but if I insert a blank CD, the drive refuses to write to the CD - the system often freezes with the rainbow wheel turning indefinitely. I have to perform a hard shutdown to clear the problem . The drive still works perfectly well with my old computer operating on Catalina Is there any solution known to man ? (for man read any human being) or is BIg Sur unable to work with an Apple superdrive?

Tim B.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Mar 14, 2021 7:06 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

steve626

Level 6

14,499 points

Mar 20, 2021 9:36 AM in response to Omniaveritas

Try this

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252051290

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Answer 2

Omniaveritas Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 20, 2021 8:35 AM in response to jdo_apple

Apple support have tried the safe mode approach which dud not work. They have mow called me back and advised me that M1 macbooks do not support Superdrives. So there we have the explanation. Do not buy an M1 macbook if you need to burn cds.

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Answer 3

jdo_apple

Community Specialist

Mar 20, 2021 8:27 AM in response to Omniaveritas

Hi again Omniaveritas,

We appreciate you taking the time to report back with your results. The next step we recommend is isolating the behavior further using safe mode. Safe mode will run a check on the startup disk on boot, and temporarily disable non-essential software. Whether or not the behavior occurs there, can narrow down whether the issue may be the result of a conflict with the types of software that are disabled in that mode. The result of testing in safe mode can help point us in the direction of the most relevant next steps.

Start up your Mac in safe mode

We look forward to hearing back from you.

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Answer 4

Chris_C1

Community Specialist

Mar 16, 2021 6:26 AM in response to Omniaveritas

HI there Omniaveritas,

We understand your Apple SuperDrive isn't working as expected on your USB-C Mac running Big Sur.

The following page offers some information that may be helpful: How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive

Are you using one of the three adaptors mentioned on that page?

Are you using the steps on the following page to burn content to a CD, or are you using an app? If you're using an app, is there any change if you burn content directly from the Finder? Burn CDs and DVDs on Mac

Take care!

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Answer 5

Omniaveritas Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 18, 2021 2:51 AM in response to Omniaveritas

I have now tried with a different external drive - same problem - plays commercial CDs but cannot see blank CD -Rs. This must be an Apple software failure. Not happy with my new Macbook - Omniaveritas

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Answer 6

Omniaveritas Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 16, 2021 9:45 AM in response to Chris_C1

Thanks for that Chris_C1. I'm using a hugely expensive Apple type C to USB A adapter. but the system isn't happy. It will play a commercial CD but doesn't like blank CD rs. Today the computer kept switching off (crashing) whenever the superdrive was plugged in so I've had to abandon it. The superdrive works well on my macbook Air running Mojave. Another mystery ..... I'll try and borrow another external drive and see what happens.

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Answer 7

Omniaveritas Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 16, 2021 10:02 AM in response to Omniaveritas

forgot to say that I was trying to burn from Finder and from Adobe Audition

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using my superdrive with new macbook pro 2020

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