MacBook Pro built-in superdrive died, can I use a USB SuperDrive?

AwfulQuiet wrote:

Thanks for your reply!

After rebooting in single user mode, then typing in the terminal command, I rebooted the machine and it finally ejected the CD.

The Eject now works fine, however when I insert a blank CD to burn, the drive hunts back and forth for a long time, then ejects the blank CD. Only once in every 10 times I reinsert the CD does it recognize the blank CD.

On a side note, I have tried to plug in the USB SuperDrive, but it is not recognized by the Mac (I have tried both USB ports, and I know they work as I can plug a USB HDD and it has power / is readable).

Any idea what that is ?

I'm running Mavericks (10.9) on that old Macbook Pro.

You can try running a laser head cleaner on your old CD/DVD drive and see if it helps—bought most anywhere for example office supply store... here is one ex. Memorex Laser Lens Cleaner for DVD (32028015 ...

For your new superdive not recognized— there are some reported issues not all are being recognized...yuou can try with it plugged in a NVRAM reset and see if connects...

resetting NVRAM/PRAM Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

(get at least two-three rounds of the chimes when holding the NRAM Reset)

AwfulQuiet wrote:

Hi,

I have a problem with my 2009 MacBook Pro 15"'s internal SuperDrive: I inserted a CD to burn files to, it took forever to recognize the CD and after it burned the data to the CD, it refuses to eject / constantly tries to eject the CD but it cannot (I have tried all of the recommendations on here to get it to eject, it will not).

Is there any way to disable the internal SuperDrive and use a USB SuperDrive ? Maybe unplug it from the logic board, or similar ?

Or is there another solution ?

Thanks,

AQ

Yes plug in your USB superdrive to use it.

Many options to eject:

-dragging and dropping the icon for the CD into your trashcan

- Restart the computer and after the chime (older computers) press and hold down the left mouse button until the disc ejects.

- Press the Eject/Esc button on your keyboard.

- Click on the Eject button in the menubar, Finder>File>Eject

- Press Command E

- Open the Terminal application in your Applications/Utilities folder. copy & paste the following:

/usr/bin/drutil eject

If all this fails then try this:

- Boot the computer into single user mode—hold down Command S through the boot process— at the prompt copy & paste:

/usr/bin/drutil eject 

Restart the computer enter reboot at the prompt or shutdown

- restart hold down trackpad button

You can always take the back off the old Mac— and unplug the supper drive if you think this is the way forward.