iMac 27" late 2013 upgraded to El Capitan can no longer use USB SuperDrive

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Level 1

9 points

iMac 27" late 2013 upgraded to El Capitan can no longer use USB SuperDrive

As noted in title, iMac 27" (late 2013) was upgraded to 10.11. It was purchased with the external USB SuperDrive, shipped together, and they worked fine until we installed 10.11 on it. Now, the SuperDrive will not read any disks inserted into the drive.

Also have a MacBook Air 13" (mid-2013), upgraded to 10.11, which was also purchased with an external USB SuperDrive.

Both SuperDrives work fine, when attached to the MBA. Neither one works when attached to the iMac. All USB ports on the iMac work fine, and other devices attached to them operate correctly. Neither SuperDrive works, regardless of which USB port and regardless of whether the SuperDrive was attached at boot or not, when attached to the iMac, but (as noted) work fine when attached to the MBA.

Before I try to throw this in radar, what else should I throw at it?

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11), 27", late 2013, 16 GB RAM

Posted on Oct 12, 2015 12:58 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

woodmeister50

Level 6

19,675 points

Oct 13, 2015 3:10 AM in response to QRSW

With the drive plugged in, open the Apple menu and select About this Mac.

Click on the storage tab. Does the Superdrive show up in the list?

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Answer 2

Oct 13, 2015 8:29 PM in response to QRSW

I don´t agree. I also got a iMac 27" (late 2013) running 10.11.1 Beta (15B30a) and still doing fine with SuperDrive.

Greetings from Switzerland, Ronald Hofmann

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Answer 3

QRSW Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 13, 2015 8:38 PM in response to RonaldMHofmann

woodmeister: yes, it does show up. Also, I should note that Apple Diagnostics on the iMac reported no problems.

Ronald: while I'm glad to hear yours is working, I'm not running beta software; this is the shipping version of 10.11 that isn't working, and only on the iMac (as noted, both SuperDrives work fine connected to the MacBook Air running 10.11).

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Answer 4

Oct 13, 2015 9:33 PM in response to QRSW

QRSW:

I understand. But you must know that I´m not using Beta software all a the time.

I´m using my SuperDrive pretty often and I definitely used it last week when I was still under standard El Capitan.

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Answer 5

QRSW Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 14, 2015 12:43 AM in response to RonaldMHofmann

Good point. I'm at the point now, though, where I am essentially left with an OS problem with iMac & USB SuperDrives, since both of them work fine on 10.11 on the MBA.

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Answer 6

Oct 14, 2015 2:48 AM in response to QRSW

Since the iMac is at least recognizing the the drive is connected, that is a start.

You are also saying that with the MBA running 10.11 the drive is working properly.

What year/model MBA? Curious as to whether it is USB2 or USB3 (2013 iMac is USB3)

which may point to some driver issue.

You may have already tried this, but have you tried different ports on the iMac?

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Answer 7

QRSW Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 14, 2015 9:46 PM in response to woodmeister50

Woodmeister: thanks; the MBA is the mid-2013, and is USB-3 just as is the iMac. I have tried all of the iMac's USB ports.

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Answer 8

Apr 9, 2016 5:55 PM in response to woodmeister50

woodmeister:

I am coming in late on this thread but it is exactly my problem. My iMac is late 2009, my MBA is mid 2011. Both machines are sporting OS x 10.11.3.

The MBA nicely supports the Superdrive, but not the iMac.

However it is showing up on "storage".

Like wise I have tried all USB ports.

Any insights would be appreciated. (except the "disabling rootless mode") Too scary!

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Answer 9

MichelPM

Level 10

80,968 points

Apr 9, 2016 11:46 PM in response to jack on mac

Apple's own USB SuperDrive only works with newer Mac models that no longer come with a built-in SuperDrive.

There is a set of Terminal App commands to use this drive with your iMac Model.

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/144126/Use+Apple+Superdrive+on+any+Mac

OR

Simply return this drive and purchase one that is compatible with your iMac year and model.

Amazon.com has both USB and FireWire external optical drives compatible with your year and model iMac.

And there are other online sources for external sources for optical drives, too!

Here are some links to cheap USB models (like I stated previously, there are FireWire Connected optical drives, too).

Not all optical drives are Mac compatible.
Most Mac compatible drives you will only find to be purchased online.
Here are two cheap USB on Amazon.com that are cheap and Mac compatible.

FireWire optical drives are a little more expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/LG-GP10NB20-Portable-External-Drive/dp/B004K2Z4MS/ref=sr_1 _3?ie=UTF8&qid=1398883289&sr=8-3&keywords=Mac+compatible+external+LG+optical+dr i ve
http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-Portable-External-GP40NB40/dp/B009DS6OFU/re f=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1398883289&sr=8-7&keywords=Mac+compatible+external+LG+opti c al+drive
Here's another source for Mac compatible optical drives. These are better quality optical drives.
These are also tray loading drives.
Tray loading optical drives are more reliable, plus they are capable of playing those smaller mini sized discs.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/VLU2SD24XS/
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MR3F82SD24S/
Good Luck!

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