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S.Frigolett Author

Level 1

16 points

Apple Super drive not showing up on desk-top

I have 2 very new IMacs. Both have been purchased this year and they both are experiencing the same problem. I am unable to use the Apple super drive that I bought on either of the computers.

1. I plug the apple drive into a USB port.

2. I checked the System prefs. and set up what action will be taken when I insert a Cd or Dvd.

3. I go to the Apple on my computer and then

go to about this Mac

and then to System report

Hardware

USB

USB Device Tree

USB 3.0 Hi-Speed Bus

Apple USB SuperDrive ( THE DRIVE DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE DESKTOP)

4. I have tried several different cd's in the SuperDrive. ( store bought cd's. my photo cd's and music cd's. I can hear the drive reading the cd's. but then it pops the cd out.

I took the apple super drive into a Apple store thinking the problem was the Apple Drive. The service person plugged the drive into one of the Imac's at the store and it worked on his computer.

I keep thinking it is some small thing I am leaving out.

HELP

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Jan 26, 2016 8:57 AM

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Level 10

122,501 points

Posted on Jan 26, 2016 9:06 AM

FWIW, A SuperDrive won't appear until a disk is inserted. You also have to have "CDs, DVDs, and IPods" checked in the Finder Preferences under Devices.

SuperDrives, afaik, have to be plugged directly into the USB ports in the back of the iMac.

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13 replies

Best reply

Level 10

122,501 points

Jan 26, 2016 9:06 AM in response to S.Frigolett

FWIW, A SuperDrive won't appear until a disk is inserted. You also have to have "CDs, DVDs, and IPods" checked in the Finder Preferences under Devices.

SuperDrives, afaik, have to be plugged directly into the USB ports in the back of the iMac.

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Level 6

11,452 points

Jan 26, 2016 9:25 AM in response to S.Frigolett

Apple's external drives are problematic. Not recommended if you research these message boards. You can either call Apple tech support since it's still under warranty or get your money back. Research burners or drives at MacMall, OWC and LaCacie.

If you want to troubleshoot on you own, zap your pram.

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Level 10

122,501 points

Jan 26, 2016 9:20 AM in response to S.Frigolett

Just to add, you can also try restarting your iMac or resetting SMC.

Personally I've never had a problem with SuperDrives. Doesn't mean of course others haven't.

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Level 10

207,367 points

Jan 26, 2016 11:33 AM in response to S.Frigolett

Go to the Finder preferences and check the checkbox for CDs, DVDs and iPods:

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S.Frigolett Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 26, 2016 3:12 PM in response to dialabrain

Thanks for your reply dialabrain.

I have inserted the disk and once it is read it pops right out of the apple drive. Never shows up on the desktop

My Super drive is plugged directly into the USB port in the back of the IMac

I have also set up the finder prefs.to

Show these items on the desktop (they are all checked)

hard disks, external disks, cd's, dvds and Ipods, connected servers

If you have any other ideas let me know.

Sandy

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S.Frigolett Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 26, 2016 3:15 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for your reply Old Toad, but I have those items checked in my finder prefs.

Sandy

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S.Frigolett Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 26, 2016 3:39 PM in response to CMCSK

I zapped the pram and nothing has changed.

Thanks for your help.

I think I am going to try a different external drive.

SAndy

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Level 7

26,486 points

Jan 27, 2016 6:30 AM in response to S.Frigolett

DO NOT take offense to this 🙂! I have seen some users have their Superdrive upside down. The Apple on the black surface goes down, aluminum side up.

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S.Frigolett Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 27, 2016 6:32 AM in response to SeaPapp

That was it. You are the only one that addressed that possibility.

Thanks Mike.

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Level 10

122,501 points

Jan 27, 2016 6:44 AM in response to SeaPapp

Good catch Mike. I certainly wouldn't have ever thought of it.

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Level 7

26,486 points

Jan 27, 2016 1:34 PM in response to S.Frigolett

You're welcome. It's an easy mistake to make.

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Level 10

207,367 points

Feb 4, 2016 8:32 AM in response to SeaPapp

If you like the looks of the Superdrive better upside down just put the disks in upside down. 😝

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Nov 29, 2017 12:38 PM in response to dialabrain

Yep. Inserted disk and sure enough, it showed up on iTunes and desktop. Thanks!

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Apple Super drive not showing up on desk-top

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