Superdrive not working after 10.8.5 update

Pitch those USB powered hubs out the window and get yourself a good self-power 7 port hub to plug your stuff into.

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That does sound very frustrating. Sorry for misreading part of your first post.

Eject your external drive(s), disconnect everything and reset the iMac's SMC.

Intel-based Macs: 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.

Then instead of mixing 2.0 and 3.0 devices on the same port or hub, try segregating them into seperate groups. Connect your 2.0 devices into the outer most USB ports next to the card slot and connect your 3.0 devices into the inner most USB ports next to the Thunderbolt port.

Again if you have more than several 2.0 devices, (Keyboard, Hard Drive, Superdrive, iPad, etc.) try clumping them together on one of your 3.0 hubs or get another self-powered USB 2.0 Hub to keep them separated from your 3.0 devices.

I've have never used a forum before even though for years I've actively used them to get out of jams. But this particular issue was something I faced as well and felt compelled to join in because I would also like to find an answer to this. I also have a late 2012 iMac 3.4GHz i7 that has been experiencing this issue as well. I first noticed (after the 10.8.5 update) that the USB hubs on my apple keyboard didn’t have enough power to charge my iPhone 5. Even though this was something since I had brought the iMac could do. I tried an SMC reset to no avail. Under the advice of apple care I also tried a PRAM reset but again to no avail. I have swapped around all possible combinations to get both devices working (My Superdrive & keyboard) but when I have my keyboard attached and try to connect the Superdrive I get an error saying there isn’t enough power to run this device, and I should try plugging it into the back of the iMac which is what I am actually doing. The resolution offered by Apple care is that I can return my Superdrive in store and replace it for lighting Superdrive (which when I did my research afterward I found such a device doesn’t exists, well not on the AU site anyway). Hypothetically even if it was just a straight swap and the person on the phone got it wrong. What happens when I try to use it when I arrive home and get the same error message? If anyone has an idea on how to combat this power struggle please help. Because I’m not going to hold my breath on a new OS update to fix it. Thank you in advance.

"Disk has not been properly put away" message.

It appears Apple is aware of the problem.

http://9to5mac.com/2013/09/24/apple-preps-new-os-x-10-8-5-release-with-fixes-for -macbook-airs-hdmi/

I'm actually having a similar problem as well. Mine however says the USB device doesn't have enough power and says to plug it into a USB drive. And it IS plugged into a USB drive.

I'm also having the same problem with my iPhones, the device can't be accessed because there isn't enough power.

I know my Superdrive isn't the issue, because its currently plugged into my Air and working nicely.

Oh, and I'm running the same 27" i7 imac as well.

Open Terminal, you must have a password set on your Mac or this will not work

Paste the below line;

sudo nvram boot-args="mbasd=1"

press Return

type in your password (you will not see the cursor moving)

press Return

Restart, it provides more power to the usb ports.

Worked for me