USB super drive not working
Apple superdrive not working on MacBook Air super drive “needs power”. It seems that this is a common problem. Is there a solution?
Windows, Windows 6
Apple superdrive not working on MacBook Air super drive “needs power”. It seems that this is a common problem. Is there a solution?
Windows, Windows 6
I’m on my second “quality” connector cable (Apple brand), no hub, and my Superdrive won’t power up all the way.
I’m on my second “quality” connector cable (Apple brand), no hub, and my Superdrive won’t power up all the way.
Of course a MacBook Air doesn’t have a USB port. I have a quality adaptor.
doesn’t Apple want to do something about it? I suspect that thousands of Super drives are going to be returned to Amazon, like I did with mine. This is a widespread issue.
I have the same problem. I am using a direct A-C adapter. It charges for moment and then nothing.
I think it's broken and has eaten the CD. :(
Did you connect the super drive directly to the usb port of the Mac? If you have a Mac with usb C ports you can use a direct dongle, but don't connect it using a hub, a hub Is giving not enough power for the super drive to function
I've been chasing a related problem this weekend. Our A1379 does not function when connected via a USB hub, but works perfectly when inserted directly into a Mac mini or an iMac. What?
I tried connecting the Superdrive via a couple of external USB 3.0 hubs. Both were self-powered high-power hubs with 500mA, 1.5A and 2.5A ports. So the power supplied is well within specification. The salient current consumption (in millAmps) of the Superdrive from a USB port is:
About this Mac > System Information > Hardware > USB
Current Available (mA): 500
Current Required (mA): 500
Extra Operating Current (mA): 600
Although it was unresponsive, when connected via the third party hubs, the Superdrive was visible as a USB device.
Hint: You can check for the Superdrive using the LSUSB (list usb devices) command in a Terminal window.
Launchpad > Terminal > [terminal window]
lsusb
...etc...
Bus 0xx Device 0xx: ID 05ac:1500 Apple, Inc. SuperDrive [A1379]
I concluded, third party USB hubs are either preventing MacOS from seeing the volume/s on the Superdrive or, blocking some other handshake. Maybe the SMART STATUS of the Superdrive cannot be verified through a third party hub, but when connected directly to the Mac's own USB port it can. There is some extra foo the Mac's USB ports do with the Superdrive. But this would require some serious hacking of the USB bus to find out! Not worth it for just playing a few of Dad's CDs.
An annoyance, but I suspect the A1379 Superdrive has a designed-in dependency with MacOS that certain third party USB hubs cannot support.
Have a nice day :)
This IS a common issue, but only for those who:
Many of us who connect a SuperDrive directly to our MacBook Airs using quality connectors and cables don't have these issues.
I’m hoping someone can help me at least get my trapped DVD to eject, and ideally get one of my two superdrives to actually work. I'm on my second refurbished superdrive and my second Apple-brand USB-C adapter.
The first superdrive worked for awhile and I was able to rip maybe 6 DVDs to my hard drive. From then on the superdrive would only make a quick power-up sound and then go quiet and not show up in the Finder. So I’ve got a DVD stuck in there (I’ve tried key commands while rebooting the computer that hasn’t helped).
The same thing happens with the second superdrive.
Anyone have any ideas?
Vincentdeliège wrote:
What exactly is the difference between an adaptor and a hub???
An adapter typically plugs into one port, and gives you one thing. E.g.,
A hub or dock typically gives you many things. E.g.,
There are some things called "adapters" that might give you two or three things, but in general, "one vs. many" is the dividing line between an "adapter" and a "hub" or "dock".
My Superdrive works fine with my 2023 MacBook Air. You didn't say if you're connecting thru a hub or directly to your Mac with the adaptor?
If holding the bottom left of the trackpad on boot does not eject the DVD, the only [desperate] hack that seems to work is go plug the Superdrive into a Windows PC and eject from there :(
One thought, what is the model number of the Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter? It might not be designed to satisfy the power budget of the Superdrive; the port is powerful enough but the intervening adapter is not.
A MacBook Air has an USB C port, and you can use an adapter (USB c in the laptop, USB A the super drive directly in it) this is how I use my superdrive and it is working with no problems
I’ve just bought official Apple USB adapter and MacBook Air is still not seeing it. Did you have to do anything else to get it working?
Me too. Superdrive whirrs a little
when connected it with the adapter but when inserting CD it’s just dead. Have you had any luck since posting your message?
What exactly is the difference between an adaptor and a hub???
it is incredible how many MacBook users have this problem. Is there not one smart person who can solve this once and for all?
USB super drive not working