Asus Zen Drive not connecting to Mac Book Air M2

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jkrobs Author

Level 1

9 points

Asus Zen Drive not connecting to Mac Book Air M2

Hi All,

Today I received an order from Amazon for an Asus Zen Drive, which plays Cds/DvDs.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0B1TTQLBP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I connected the optical drive to my mac via the cord which is USB C.

The system asked me to allow connection between the drive and Mac, no issues.

But..I cannot seem to locate the optical drive in finder and also it is not showing on Disk utility.

I do however find it under system report - Hardward - USB - USB 3.1 Bus - Asus External drive and it shows some other information.

That is as far as I can get...

How do I read CDs, what should I do next.

Asus website states it is compatible with Macs from 2018 onwards.

With all due respect the Mac user guide is terrible with no helpful information.

If I cannot get this to work, I will have to request a return to amazon and refund.

but I really would like to get some help, please anyone..

Thank you

MacBook Air, macOS 13.5

Posted on Aug 19, 2023 12:07 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ben Schmidt

Level 4

1,522 points

Jan 4, 2024 12:14 PM in response to jkrobs

I assume you returned your ZenDrive? I suspect there's something about MacOS 14 and the Asus ZenDrive.

I couldn't find any acknowledgement of the problem, help, or firmware updates on the Asus site.

A Google search turned up similar problem reports to yours and mine: On both an Intel MacBook Air or M1 MacBook Air, each running MacOS 14.2 Ventura, all I get is a repetitive clicking sound. The Asus ZenDrive does show up under "About this Mac > More Info… > System Report… > USB > USB 3.1 Bus". But hee DVD in the ZenDrive never shows up on the desktop.

The Google search did return a number of users who reported Apple's SuperDrive (2012) plus Apple's USB-A to USB-C adaptor worked on their M1/M2 Macs.

BTW, my Asus ZenDrive U9M worked, and continues to work fine with my 2017 Intel MacBook Pro running MacOS 10.15 Catalina, using the Asus-provided USB mini to USB-C cable. Just not on my Intel MacBook Air or M1 MacBook Air, both running MacOS 14.2 Ventura. Connecting the ZenDrive into either MBA just results in the ZenDrive emitting a repetitive clicking sound. The Asus ZenDrive does show up under "About this Mac > More Info… > System Report… > USB > USB 3.1 Bus". But the DVD in the ZenDrive never shows up on the desktop of the MBA's running MacOS 14.

On the MBA's running MacOS 14, I also tried substituting the Asus-provided USB mini to USB-C cable, for a USB mini to USB-A cable plus Apple's own USB-A to USB-C adapter. I also tried a USB mini to "Y" USB-A cable, with Apple's USB-A to USB-C adaptor plus a powered USB-A hub to power the 2nd USB-A on the the "Y". No change.

To me, there's something about MacOS 14 and the Asus ZenDrive that is incompatible.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

135,845 points

Aug 19, 2023 1:26 AM in response to jkrobs

Did you insert a disk?

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

102,505 points

Aug 19, 2023 2:01 AM in response to jkrobs

I have an old Lacie DVD + DVD reader / writer and when connected to a M1 Machine.

Until I place a CD or DVD into the drive and it spins up - the drive will look much as your does.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

135,845 points

Aug 19, 2023 2:05 AM in response to jkrobs

In case I wasn't clear, you need to insert a CD or DVD for them to show on the Desktop or Finder Sidebar.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

135,845 points

Aug 20, 2023 4:15 PM in response to jkrobs

Have you updated to Ventura 13.5.1?

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

135,845 points

Aug 20, 2023 7:55 PM in response to jkrobs

Uncheck "Hard disks" from Finder > Settings… > General.

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Answer 7

jkrobs Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 20, 2023 7:51 PM in response to dialabrain

Thank you, everyone, for your help.

I contacted Apple Support, amazing kind people by the way.

They checked a few things but had no success in fixing the issue.

They then called me and remotely checked my Mac, We tried safe mode. but nothing.

They then told me it could be a compatibility issue with the M2 chip.

I have given up, so I have requested a refund from Amazon.

By the way, Can you help me with something new?

for some reason, my Macintosh HD drive is showing on my desktop as an icon..how do I remove it from there? I don't want to delete it completely of course, but simply remove it from the desktop from view.

Thank you

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Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

135,845 points

Aug 19, 2023 4:44 PM in response to jkrobs

You're welcome. I suggest you contact ASUS support.

https://www.asus.com/support/

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Answer 9

jkrobs Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 19, 2023 3:54 PM in response to dialabrain

Yes I inserted a CD and it just started spinning and making weird noises...nothing showed up anywhere and then it stopped making noises.

I live in Japan by the way , so we might miss each others times when replying.

But thank you for your help :)

If you can suggest anything else. I would appreciate it.

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Answer 10

Owl-53

Level 10

102,505 points

Aug 20, 2023 1:50 AM in response to jkrobs

Below would apply to an Apple Silicon Laptop which the MacBook Air M2 is

Refer to Link Below from Apple on this very topic

If your Mac asks you to allow an accessory to connect - Apple Support

Excerpt from link above

When you use a new or unknown USB accessory, Thunderbolt accessory, or SD card with your Mac laptop with Apple silicon and macOS Ventura or later,

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Answer 11

jkrobs Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 20, 2023 3:52 PM in response to Owl-53

Thank you for your help and sorry for replying back late.

I went to these settings and it was already set to "Ask for new accessories", I have changed it to "Ask everytime".

I plugged it back in, I then got the message again saying did I want to connect this USB device. I clicked allow.

It is showing in USB Tree in the system report. But I put a disk in, and it spins, then stops. but I cannot find the CD information anywhere, not in Finder or the apple music app.

I have a weird feeling that this maybe only works on the Apple mac book M1 and maybe not compatible with M2.

My wife has a M1, I will try it there.

If not I will request an amazon return.

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