Ext drive problem with Tahoe 26.3.1.

If you have 3rd party ‘protection’ software installed, that may be the problem. For example, ESET has been reported to prevent external drives and memory cards from mounting. Such 3rd party system ‘helpers’, ‘cleaners’ and ‘protectors’ do more harm than good. In fact, such products are completely unnecessary for macOS and the only ‘good’ (if you want to call it that) they do is to put money in the developers’ pockets. For the user, they offer only harm…and if that is limited to harm to your bank account, then count yourself lucky.

There were a few prior posts on this forum from users who couldn’t access their external drive due to the drive manufacturer’s software that they used to encrypt the drive. Lacie/Seagate, Samsung, SanDisk, etc., all provide 'drive management' software on their drives and using such 3rd party software can cause issues when macOS is updated and the 3rd party software becomes incompatible. Not sure if that's the issue here, but FYI the best practice with a new external drive (SSD/HDD, not applicable to NAS drives) is to use Disk Utility to complete erase it, format it as GUID/APFS and apply encryption if desired.

If your drive is using a FireWire connection, it will not work anymore because starting with macOS 26 Tahoe, FireWire has been fully deprecated by Apple and is no longer supported.

FWIW, I have a bunch of Samsung T7 SSDs ranging from 1 TB to 4 TB and they all work fine with my M4 Pro MacBook Pro running Tahoe, as does my Apple USB SuperDrive.

thomasfromupland wrote:

Thanks. Only security I use is Malwarebytes which Apple recommended. One of my drives is using Firewire. But that doesn't explain the CD Drive issue.

Apple does not endorse Non Apple Products - Full Stop

Depending on what the user has subscribed to visa vie Malwarebytes

This software usually has an an AntiVirus / Anti Malware component and also may have a VPN

None of which are beneficial on macOS

Some Submissions may contain information about products not manufactured by Apple or links to independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple.

Information about non-Apple Products or links to non-Apple websites are provided without recommendation or endorsement by Apple.

Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability

Windows-like viruses that self-replicate and affect macOS don’t exist because of the underlying UNIX Foundation and permission limitations.

The macOS operating system resides in a sealed and read-only volume that can’t be opened by users or third-party applications.

Mac app security enhancements are sufficient to protect computers from malware.

Adware and Malware can affect computers and are often downloaded from “shady” websites or developers who inject them into downloads.

Source: User tip from @Kurt Lang

Commercial VPNs 

They may not be what one believes they are doing for the computer and what they actually are doing behind the scenes and unbeknownst to the user ( you ) 

They may also reduce your Internet Speeds by upwards of 30% 

https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250008855

thomasfromupland wrote:

Installing a CD brings up the Music App but I don't see a CD to play it.

Do you see the Devices section? If there's nothing under it, hover your cursor over the right side of the sidebar and you'll see an expansion caret. Click it to expand the section, is your CD there?

thomasfromupland wrote:

Thanks. Only security I use is Malwarebytes which Apple recommended. One of my drives is using Firewire. But that doesn't explain the CD Drive issue.

OP wrote " When I put a CD in my Apple CD Drive, the OS usually sees it but the Music app does not. I can only play CDs through Quicktime Player. "

This may depend on the Format of the Music Files

thomasfromupland wrote:

Thanks. Only security I use is Malwarebytes which Apple recommended. One of my drives is using Firewire. But that doesn't explain the CD Drive issue.

As @Owl-53 suggests, that may be due to the format of the CD or the files on it. Regular commercial CDs play fine for me in the Music app.

When inserting a CD, the Music app opens (and I am prompted to import the CD). That behavior is controlled in System Settings > CDs & DVDs, though that settings pane is only available with the SuperDrive (or another external optical drive) connected.

thomasfromupland wrote:

CDs are regular commercial disks. System Settings > CDs & DVDs is set to Open Music.

" CDs are regular commercial disks. " could be understood as being a Spindle of Blank " commercial disks. " that have been used to make Home Made CDs

Can you, per chance, quote some of the Titles of these CDs regular commercial disks.

Having worked, in my youth, for a well known Record Company.

I do have an extensive collect of Commercial CDs dating back to 1986 / 1987 and that all open just fine in the Music Application in Tahoe 26.3.1

I am experiencing the same issue with my Time Machine external drive which is a Seagate. After I had updating the OS to 26.3.1, the drive tries to mount and then ejects itself immediately. This continues and never stops. I receive the notification that the drive has ejected. I tried using Disk Utility to see if I can see the external drive but it first doesn't show in the list of volumes, you see it pop up and it's red, then ejects.

I have tried connecting the USB connector a couple different ways. It originally was plugged into a USB hub with different USB A 3.2 ports and that didn't work. I then connected it directly into the back of my iMac 24" M1 and that still didn't work.

I ended up turning the power off to stop it from ejecting. Is this a known issue with the latest update with external devices?