External DVD drive (Asus ZenDrive U9M) not working with MacOS 14 - MacBook Air intel or MacBook Air M1

I suspect there's something incompatible between MacOS 14 and using a non-Apple external DVD drive.

I have an Asus ZenDrive U9M. It works fine with my Intel MBP running MacOS 10.15.7 Catalina, using the Asus-provided mini USB to USB-C cable.

But when I plug the same ZenDrive and DVD into either my intel MBA or into my M1 MBA, each running MacOS 14.2.1 Sonoma, all I get is a repetitive clicking sound from the ZenDrive. 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.

I checked the Asus site: no acknowledgement of the problem, help, or firmware updates to try.

I checked Google: A number of users reported Apple's SuperDrive (2012) plus Apple's USB-A to USB-C adaptor does work on their M1/M2 Macs. But those using a non-Apple external DVD drive who reported "it works for me" were, I suspect, not using an M1/M2 Mac, or the current MacOS.

P.S. On my 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 substituting a USB mini to "Y" USB-A cable, with Apple's USB-A to USB-C adaptor plug into the data "Y" USB-A, and a powered USB-A hub into the power "Y" USB-A. No change.

To me, it seems like something about the Asus ZenDrive and MacOS 14 that is incompatible. But I'd love to hear differently.