Penfold64
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: Apple superdrive

I have connected an Apple Superdrive to my 2015 Macbook (OS - El Capitan) via a USB-C adapter, however, it will not accept CD's or DVD's.

Can anyone help??

MacBook, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 14, 2016 6:39 AM

by Lanny,Apple recommended
Lanny Lanny
Level 5 (7,888 points)
Desktops
A:

No, the issue is, as I stated before, your adapter doesn't provide enough current to operate the Superdrive. The Superdrive does not provide the option of adding an external power supply. It has to get all of its power via the USB connection. The zero extra operating current indicates that your adapter can't provide enough extra current beyond the minimum USB specification, 500ma, to operate the Superdrive. Generally, the Superdrive was designed by Apple to be used by a built in USB port on a Mac. Some powered hubs may be able to provide enough current, but results will vary.

 

Note that Apple has specified that a Superdrives manufactured after 2010 will work with either of Apple's 2 USB-C video/USB-A adapters.

 

I appreciate that you wanted to save some money by buying your Non-Apple branded adapter from Amazon, but clearly Apple designed theirs to be able to support their current model of USB Superdrive.

 

You could also buy the simple USB-C to USB-A adapter to use in conjunction with the Superdrive, but then the total cost of both adapters now is about equivalent to the Apple digital adapter.

 

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202665

Posted on May 17, 2016 12:08 PM

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Penfold64

Q: Apple superdrive

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny May 14, 2016 7:53 AM in response to Penfold64
    Level 5 (7,888 points)
    Desktops
    May 14, 2016 7:53 AM in response to Penfold64

    via a USB-C adapter,

    Please identify what you are using.

     

    It works for me with the 12" MacBook and the Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter.

     

    What adapter are you using?

  • by Penfold64,

    Penfold64 Penfold64 May 14, 2016 10:00 AM in response to Lanny
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 14, 2016 10:00 AM in response to Lanny

    It is this one, USB C Adapter, CHOETECH USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter with 4K HDMI and Power Delivery, 1 USB C Port/Type C Recharging Port, 1 HDMI Port and 1 USB

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny May 14, 2016 10:10 AM in response to Penfold64
    Level 5 (7,888 points)
    Desktops
    May 14, 2016 10:10 AM in response to Penfold64

    Well, Apple's digital multi-port adapter is capable of operating the Apple SuperDrive, if the Superdrive was manufactured after 2010.

     

    So I guess the first question is, when was your Apple SuperDrive manufactured?

     

    Second, if it was manufactured after 2010, then your Choetech adapter doesn't appear to be supplying enough current to run the SuperDrive.

     

    Check the current delivery of the adapter by using your Apple System Report for the USB connection.

  • by Penfold64,

    Penfold64 Penfold64 May 14, 2016 10:41 AM in response to Lanny
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 14, 2016 10:41 AM in response to Lanny

    I bought the drive in 2013 when I bought a Macbook Air, model A1379, here are the system report details;

     

    Screen Shot 2016-05-14 at 18.39.06.png

     

    Apple USB SuperDrive:

    Apple USB SuperDrive:

     

      Product ID: 0x1500

      Vendor ID: 0x05ac  (Apple Inc.)

      Version: 2.02

      Serial Number: K1MD7935618        

      Speed: Up to 480 Mb/sec

      Manufacturer: Apple Inc.

      Location ID: 0x14110000 / 4

      Current Available (mA): 1000

      Current Required (mA): 500

      Extra Operating Current (mA): 0

    Apple USB SuperDrive:

     

      Product ID: 0x1500

      Vendor ID: 0x05ac  (Apple Inc.)

      Version: 2.02

      Serial Number: K1MD7935618        

      Speed: Up to 480 Mb/sec

      Manufacturer: Apple Inc.

      Location ID: 0x14110000 / 4

      Current Available (mA): 1000

      Current Required (mA): 500

      Extra Operating Current (mA): 0

      Product ID: 0x1500

      Vendor ID: 0x05ac  (Apple Inc.)

      Version: 2.02

      Serial Number: K1MD7935618        

      Speed: Up to 480 Mb/sec

      Manufacturer: Apple Inc.

      Location ID: 0x14110000 / 4

      Current Available (mA): 1000

      Current Required (mA): 500

      Extra Operating Current (mA): 0

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny May 14, 2016 10:49 AM in response to Penfold64
    Level 5 (7,888 points)
    Desktops
    May 14, 2016 10:49 AM in response to Penfold64

    You started off by saying that you had a 2015 MacBook, now you're showing the results of an Apple Sysytem Report using a MacBook Air.

    screen.jpg

    What are the results of the report when using the MacBook with the Superdrive?

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny May 14, 2016 10:56 AM in response to Penfold64
    Level 5 (7,888 points)
    Desktops
    May 14, 2016 10:56 AM in response to Penfold64

    This is what I'm seeing with a, before 2010 model, Superdrive and a Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-05-14 at 1.54.14 PM.jpg

  • by Penfold64,

    Penfold64 Penfold64 May 14, 2016 10:59 AM in response to Lanny
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 14, 2016 10:59 AM in response to Lanny

    So I hope this makes sense.

    I backed up my old Macbook Air which was running El Capitan, because the new Macbook I bought was still on Yosemite, I had to upgrade it before I could restore my Macbook Air back up. I then did the restore on the new machine and I think that is why it says this machine is a Macbook Air not a Macbook.

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny May 14, 2016 11:07 AM in response to Penfold64
    Level 5 (7,888 points)
    Desktops
    May 14, 2016 11:07 AM in response to Penfold64

    You can correct the computer's name by using the Sharing System Preference.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-05-14 at 2.01.55 PM.jpg

     

    Note that you're extra operating current is being shown as 0.

     

    See this prior discussion: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4799814?tstart=0

  • by Penfold64,

    Penfold64 Penfold64 May 16, 2016 12:09 PM in response to Lanny
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 16, 2016 12:09 PM in response to Lanny

    Thanks for the tip on name change, I have done that now.

    Sorry I am not very technical so I don't understand the significance of the extra operating current shown as 0?

     

    I have tried an AC powered external DVD drive with my hub and it works OK so perhaps the issue is with the Superdrive.

     

    Thanks for your advice.

  • by Lanny,Apple recommended

    Lanny Lanny May 17, 2016 12:08 PM in response to Penfold64
    Level 5 (7,888 points)
    Desktops
    May 17, 2016 12:08 PM in response to Penfold64

    No, the issue is, as I stated before, your adapter doesn't provide enough current to operate the Superdrive. The Superdrive does not provide the option of adding an external power supply. It has to get all of its power via the USB connection. The zero extra operating current indicates that your adapter can't provide enough extra current beyond the minimum USB specification, 500ma, to operate the Superdrive. Generally, the Superdrive was designed by Apple to be used by a built in USB port on a Mac. Some powered hubs may be able to provide enough current, but results will vary.

     

    Note that Apple has specified that a Superdrives manufactured after 2010 will work with either of Apple's 2 USB-C video/USB-A adapters.

     

    I appreciate that you wanted to save some money by buying your Non-Apple branded adapter from Amazon, but clearly Apple designed theirs to be able to support their current model of USB Superdrive.

     

    You could also buy the simple USB-C to USB-A adapter to use in conjunction with the Superdrive, but then the total cost of both adapters now is about equivalent to the Apple digital adapter.

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202665

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny May 16, 2016 12:46 PM in response to Penfold64
    Level 5 (7,888 points)
    Desktops
    May 16, 2016 12:46 PM in response to Penfold64

    Also: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204360

  • by Penfold64,

    Penfold64 Penfold64 May 17, 2016 12:09 PM in response to Lanny
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 17, 2016 12:09 PM in response to Lanny

    Many thanks once again for your help and advice, I will stick with the powered DVD drive for now.