SuperDrive issue with disk

gharleydude wrote:

I was not using Blue-Ray disks; they are music cds.

If they are music CDs, I would think that the USB SuperDrive would have no problems playing them, or extracting digital audio from them.

Sometimes CDs get scratched up badly enough that they will not play. There is a trick that you can use to rescue many of these CDs:

1. Take a diluted solution of dishwashing liquid and water, and gently clean the CD.
2. Allow the CD to dry thoroughly.
3. Try reading it again.

This works because a CD drive can often focus past a scratch, if the scratch is clear and not coated with dirt. It does not always work, especially with scratches that follow the circle of the disc, but it is worth trying.

There are a few "CDs" out there that have copy perversion / DRM on them, including the infamous Sony "root kit" "CDs". But I doubt that a collection of big band CDs in a commemorative tin container would have had this sort of crud on them. Scratches and dirt interfering with playback would be a much more likely scenario.

I had to use a USB Adapter to plug in the port on my iMac...

What adapter? Several reports say you need to use Apple-branded adapters—one of these:

• USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
• USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter
• USB-C to USB Adapter

"Silver-side up" is the correct orientation.

.. and then the disk is ejected.

Have you tried the disks in another device?

gharleydude wrote:

My intention was to download all three disks to my iTunes ( I guess now it is called music) library so that it will go to my iPod where I keep all of my music. So frustrating to not be able to transfer such good music over to my iPod..

What happened to iTunes? - Apple Support

Apple Music User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

Import songs from CDs into Music on Mac - Apple Support

Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your Mac - Apple Support

since it's a superdrive, have you looked at System Settings > CDs & DVDs and see if the appropriate actions are set depending on the media inserted?

I believe the settings I'm using are the default settings, but you could check anyways.

I know it sounds silly but make sure the drive is right side up, black side down. How old is the disk?

Just to add, a SuperDrive will not play Blu-ray disks.