External Disc Drive disappeared from Mac Mini Devices

Hi Forum,
my External USB2 Drive has disappeared from the devices list on my Mac Mini. When i was with the Mini i turned it off and on, Mini and CD Drive, unplugged and replugged the Drive, but i didnt appear. Ive had to come away for a few days and access the Mini remotely. It still doesnt show.
Is there anyway to make it find it? scan USB ports? look at what is connected? Remotely or when home?
Odd as its not done this before. And im still on OSX 10.8...

From your description I am assuming you have not instgalled any new USB, Bluetooth, Firewire, devices, drivers, hubs, etc.? If my assumption is correct then the logical place to start is with the drive and its connections...
Unplug and replug all USB connections. Surprisingly this may cure a number of different problems.
Try another USB cable.
Boot into Safe mode by holding down the Shift key after a cold boot. If the drive mounts normally then it is likley another USB device drive or device that is the problem.
If you are connecting through a hub, connect directly to the computer. If the drive mounts normally then your hub has probably gone bad.
If possible connect the drive to another Mac. Does it mount normally? If so then the USB port in your Mac may have gone bad. That requires a new logic board to fix.
Reset the SMC.

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