JeriGn

Q: Using a USB external DVD writer?

The G4 we have does not have a working optical drive.   I assumed that an external drive would not work as we don't have a firewire external drive.  This past week when reading the Mac OS Leopard for Dummies,   I came across a paragraph that said a USB external could be used.    I have a fairly new one , a Samsung USB external dvd writer.   If I connect it though,  the drive makes sounds but is never recognized by the Powerbook.   Is there software for Macs  that I need to make it work? 

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Mar 4, 2015 6:53 AM

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Q: Using a USB external DVD writer?

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  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Mar 4, 2015 10:57 AM in response to JeriGn
    Level 6 (14,269 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 4, 2015 10:57 AM in response to JeriGn

    There may be a matter of correct and current drivers in the OS X for the late model

    external Samsung USB optical drive, for compatibility. Does the product nomenclature

    suggest which Mac OS X versions it may be used with? If Leopard 10.5.8 is not stated

    and if there is mention of Intel-based processors, then your old PPC G4 can't use it.

    Usually the peripheral vendor or manufacturer may state on the package, its limits.

     

    The change from PowerPC to Intel-based Macs left two groups of almost parallel

    development at a time, so most newer items for Mac, especially USB support for

    old computers, is not so likely. A newer model Samsung optical USB external drive

    would be fairly matched with a newer Intel-based Mac, but not PowerPC G3/G4/ etc.

     

    http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net/Pages/English/home.html

    There may be a useful older software in a free version of Burn. This item may not work

    with the newer Samsung, but usually works (if you get correct version for Mac + OS X)

    and can be helpful with other localized burn software won't work... No guaranties.

     

    If Samsung states on their product package, their product may be compatible with older

    Mac OS X versions, and in with the PowerPC computer hardware build series, then it

    may be able to work under certain (undisclosed?) circumstances. But it probably won't.

     

    Sorry to not be able to offer a support reply of definite yes or not, for a non-Apple product

    and for an obsolete hardware/system question. FireWire400 would be the best bet.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by JeriGn,

    JeriGn JeriGn Mar 5, 2015 6:22 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 5, 2015 6:22 PM in response to K Shaffer

    The Samsung Box  for the portable SE-208 lists Mac as well as Windows.  There is no drivers disk with the unit.   I think I found the problem though (forgot to read the fine print)  It is for a Pentium 4 or equivalent with 2G Ram.   Thanks for replying though.

  • by K Shaffer,Solvedanswer

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Mar 5, 2015 7:25 PM in response to JeriGn
    Level 6 (14,269 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 5, 2015 7:25 PM in response to JeriGn

    So that means an Intel-based Mac built from about 2006 forward

    that does not have a PPC G3/G4/G5 processor, & cannot run an

    OS X newer than Leopard 10.5.8. [Hardware also limits software.]

     

    At least they did say on the package the product would not work

    with an older architecture Macintosh before Intel processors...

    As was alluded to in the earlier reply.

     

    There are some good examples of FireWire external products online

    at the macsales.com OWC site; optical drives, SSD, HDD, & other.

    Their specs for FireWire tell to what level compatibility to expect.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!