Just purchased an LG Mac Compatible Slim Portable DVD Writer to use with my 2011 iMac because I replaced the internal optical drive with an SSD drive. When I connect the drive via USB I get an initialization error. Any suggestions as to what might work to resolve this? I will contact LG this week but they are closed for the weekend so I thought I would ask here. Here's a pic of the error message:
Thanks.
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5)
Was there any software driver disc with Mac drivers on it?
Have you checked the LG site for any updated Mac drivers?
Just checked...no disc with Mac drivers came with the drive and the LG site doesn't have any Mac drivers available. It does say, both on the box and on their website, that the drive is fully compatible with Mac, however.
Reset the SMC > Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
3. Wait fifteen seconds.
4. Attach the computer's power cord.
5. Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.
and NVRAM / PRAM > About NVRAM and PRAM
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.
Then if it doesn't work, return it for a replacement or different LG External DVD Drive.
Note that while they are bulkier, tray loading AC powered external drive tend to be faster and more reliable than slim USB powered units.
Apple Mac DVD player only works with a internal optical drive or it might work with an external if the superdrive is installed.
There is a hack to make it work with a external only dvd drive. A google search should turn them up.
Try this.
Or use VLC.
I use a LaCie external FireWire DVD reader/writer with my 2009 iMac and it plays DVDs through Apple DVD player fine.
No hacks!
Do you have the original superdrive still installed in the system?
Good question. Do you think maybe my Mac is confused? Maybe it thinks the internal optical drive is still installed...which it isn't. How would I find out if the original superdrive is still inside the Mac? I thought it had to be removed in order for the SSD to fit. Btw, I had an Apple Certified technician do the install...I didn't do it myself.
Thanks.
I'm not MichelPM, but yes, I've had the original and now a replacement Superdrive installed on a mid 2010 iMac and have never had a problem having my external LaCie burner recognized. I use the internal sparingly as it's already been replaced once as I prefer the more robust external which "just works."
I believe having an internal drive - or not - only plays a role when you buy an Apple external Superdrive as they used to make one that only worked with machines that didn't have an internal (2 models only) and the newer one only works with the new machines that don't have an internal.
Have you tried to insert a CD or DVD and checked if the media or burner are recognized in your burn software (iMovie, iDVD, Toast, or ?)? My external never shows up on the desktop - it only shows once I launch Toast and then it is offered as a burn option. And, FWIW, drivers usually are not needed.
Will give it a shot. Hope it works. This is the third external hard drive I have tried to use...all brand new. I keep getting the same error message for all of them.
Didn't work. Tried both methods...resetting the SMC and NVRAM and PRAM. It has to be my Mac. How can two different brand new USB external optical drives be broken from the get go?
Which USB ports are you using and have you tried different USB ports?
Using a powered USB hub. Could that be the problem? The drive is defintely on...I hear it running when I insert a CD/DVD.
Could, definitely, be the hub!
Try plugging this drive directly into a USB port behind the iMac.
Tried putting both USB plugs (the external optical drive has two of them) directly into the back of the iMac. Still doesn't work. Get the same error message.
I think I am losing my mind. 😢
External optical drive not found by iMac?
