External dvd drive/burner

I connected a pioneer 106 external drive via usb and it was not recognized. I believe I was told my computer does not have usb 2. Could this be, and if so I can I remedy this. I only have a cd drive internally.

Go to the apple menu ---> about this mac ----> More Information. Look under USB to see if your drive is actually detected. If it is, use Patchburn to enable it. Patchburn is a free program used to help Mac's detect unsupported burners.
If you do get it working, you could always dissassemble the case which takes about 5 minutes. After doing this you will see the IDE Ribbon and Power Connection. You now have an internal drive, swap it with the internal CD if you wish.
Good Luck

Similar Messages

  • Macbook Pro not able to burn from External DVD drive

    Hi there,
    I just bought a Samsung SE-208DB external drive for my 2011 Macbook Pro 8,1 13inch and at first the drive was detected by my Macbook Pro and I was able ot burn a disk but now when I plug in the device, it powers on for a bit then powers off to were I can't eject the disk anymore.Then sometimes it works just fine. I am using an external USB hub with AC plug power so I am confident power to the USb isn't an issue. I just wanted to know are Macbook Pro known to have issues with external drives?
    And for those wondering why I don't just use the internal DVD on my Macbook Pro, I replaced it with an SSD for dedicated Windows 7 operating system.
    Any ideas on how to approached this problem? Should I just get another brand of external DVD drive. I know I can't get Apples as for some strange reason, Apple makes those only compatible with Macs that didn't come with DVD drives like the Macbook Air.
    Thanks

    Ok I solved it.
    The problem is that the drive uses too much power from the usb port.
    You can use one of those cables with on one end two usb plugs and on the other end a mini usb. Connect the coresponding usb for power to an iphone charger or any 5v/1amp charger.
    Or you can do what I did. I used a usb hub. In one usb port I connected my iphone charger and the drive to another usb port on the hub.
    I have just burned my first succesful disc.
    Regards

  • How to burn albums in iPhoto with external DVD drive?

    I have the new iMac which doesn't contain a DVD drive... so I bought an external DVD drive and I am trying to burn albums from iPhoto but in the "share" option, the "burn to disc" option doesn't come up. It's as if iPhoto doesn't recognize a DVD drive available, but it is. Anyone know a fix to this? Thank you!

    open the album and select all - export to a desktop folder (see the user tip on exporting for the various options available) and then in the finder right click on that folder and burn to disk
    LN

  • Backing Up To An External DVD Drive. Any Suggestions?

    I have a question please? How do I change settings in iTunes to backup to an external "DVD" drive instead of an internal "Cd" drive? Everytime I try to back things up in iTunes, the only option I see is to backup to Cd. I rarely backup anything to Cd, I use my external DVD burner which in my opinion works so much better, not to mention, would naturally use far less discs. I am clueless where I can change the settings for iTunes to recognize that I don't want to use Cds or my internal Cd burner, but my external DVD burner. I've posted this message on another board about 3 days ago, and haven't seen a response as of yet. Maybe I had asked on the wrong board? If so, I apologize. I truly hope one of you knowledgable souls out there can lend a hand to a new iPod owner.
    ((Thanks)) ever-so-much for any help/tips anyone can send my way.
    Compaq Presario   Windows XP  

    You should be able to dump the contents of the external disk as Data with many backup software out there. I use Sonic DigitalMedia. If the media is in your itunes library you can to burn it to DVD as data only.
    go to itunes -->advanced--burning--set as data DVD.
    This I don't think would degrade the quality of the sound as you are putting the info as data with original format.

  • Is it possible to install Tiger using an external DVD drive?

    I have one the of the first iMacs and at the time I thought I didn't need a DVD Player. However, now I was thinking of buying an external DVD player/burner. Is it possible to upgrade to Tiger using the external DVD drive since I don't have an internal one?

    Hi Celticart,
    Welcome to the discussions.
    I have an old AGP PowerMac G4 to which I have hooked an external Firewire DVD Drive. I have installed Tiger without any problems, using this drive. I see no reason why it couldn't be done on an iMac as well, (provided it has Firewire).
    I don't think you could get it to work using an external drive hooked up via USB.
    Cheers!
    Karl

  • External DVD Drive not working with osx 10.8.5

    Hi, I'm having issues with my MacBook Pro 15" 9,1 working with an external DVD drive.  I am running OSX 10.8.5 and have been troubleshooting this issue for a few weeks.  The optical drive itself is the original drive that came with the computer, but I have put it in an external enclosure to free up space inside the body of the MacBook Pro.  The drive seems to function fine with CDs (playing and ripping - haven't tried burning yet) but is extremely inconsistent/barely functional with DVD playback.  Only one DVD in my collection properly works - others bring up error messages in multiple programs (VLC, Wondershare, the native DVD application, etc.) and another continuously loops back to the main menu each time "Play Feature" is selected.  These are a variety of DVDs that range from obscure to commercial and old to new (the oldest and most obscure is the only one that works).  After deciding that it is not the programs, I replaced the enclosure.  I still had the same exact issues.  I reset PRAM - no solution there.  I created a new user on my computer, installed the same media players and had the same luck.  I then used the same external drive on my old MacBook Pro 15" (5,4 running OSX 10.6.8) to see if it would work there.  It worked perfectly (with the native DVD application).  What is going on here and how can I get my new computer to recognize the external DVDs reliably and consistently?

    older superdrives were Hitachi mfg, new ones are Panasonic.  Since yours is new and panasonic, indications are it wont work thru the enclosure on your NEW macbook, rather as you state on your older Mac.
    until you said it worked fine on the old machine, the logical conclusion is a dirty lens on the laser since it reads CDs fine but most DVD not, since the track is much smaller.
    Considering a new superdrive is only $48 on ebay ,or $78 for a new superdrive, your frustration might be too much, and just grab a new superdrive.
    Your detailed information indicates a firmware incompatibility of the panasonic superdrive thru an enclosure
    This is the new superdrive, made by panasonic as you have in your enclosure:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/221280580133?lpid=82
    of course thats a lot of trouble buying that AND an enclosure, easier still is just getting a Mac superdrive inside its working enclosure designed for use as such:
    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD564ZM/A/apple-usb-superdrive

  • Can I install Tiger using an external DVD drive?

    My PowerBook is being repaired and I have to use an older G4/733 tower (OS 9.2; CD/zip drives only) from 2001 ASAP. I purchased Tiger and now need to load it, along with the new software. Rather than purchasing an internal dvd drive, can I buy and external dvd drive to install Tiger/new software? I've seen some posts that say "no" and others that say yes, as long as its firewire, not USB. In looking at external drives, I've seen some compatibility requirements that say OS X as the minimum. Some places like CDW and the Apple store don't seem to have an answer for me. Does anybody here know? thanks!
    Bob
    PowerPC G4   Mac OS 9.2.x  

    Internal drives are much cheaper; you can get a DVD burner for under $40 online, vs. well over a $100 for an external, which may or may not boot your specific system.
    The NEC ND-3550A or Pioneer DVR-110D will both boot the OS installer DVD when using the "C" Key, or from Startup Disc...
    In a QS, you just have to remove the drive tray faceplate before installing the drive; This Apple Article has clear diagrams of the replacement process.

  • Is it necessary to disable the internal DVD drive to connect an external DVD drive?

    Isit necssary to disable an internal DVDdriver to use an external DVD driver?  I have permanently jammed a CD into an iMac (mid 2007) DVD / CD drive and purchased an external LG Mac compatable (at the apple reps advice), but the external is not recognized by my iMac.  therefore, does the internal drive have to be disabled, and if so, can it be disabled without taking the machine apart?
    Thanks
    Ed Lynch

    Are you still running Leopard as indicated in your profile?
    If so, up until Snow leopard (if I remember correctly) there was a patch needed for the OS to recognize an external - my LaCie burner came with it and once I installed it, it worked great. As mentioned though, it still wouldn't show up until you insert a disk. At this point, I doubt that such a patch would still be available as it hasn't been needed for some time.

  • I bought the external DVD player/burner for my Macbook.  I tried using it with my Dell laptop but it will not work.  Is it not configured to work with anything but apple operating systems?

    I bought the external DVD player/burner for my Macbook.  I tried using it with my Dell laptop but it will not work.  Is it not configured to work with anything but apple operating systems?

    If you purchased the Apple USB SuperDrive, it will only work with select Apple devices. It won't work, for example, on my Late 2011 model that has a SuperDrive built-in, but it will work with an Air, Retina model, new 'drive-less' iMacs, etc.
    As far as I know, though, you can only hack the drive to work with some other Apple devices, but not with Windows PCs. Which is a shame as other, less expensive DVD/CD devices will work with just about any machine.
    Sorry,
    Clinton

  • Panther to Tiger DVD won't restart on external DVD drive, G4 tower!

    I purchased the DVD Tiger upgrade last year! My tower does not have a dvd drive so I finally purchased an external LG Super drive to upgrade my system from 10.3 to Tiger. It plugs in into a USB Port with an additional USB port when you need extra power(don't know if this is the problem it also will not burn a dvd, using toast lite, but will load one). The dvd loads and is visual on my screen but it will not get past the restart screen. Says it can not retart using the dvd drive. I have attempted to hold down the "c" key, the control key and change the start up disk option in the preferences to the 10.5 system which is visual in my start up screen as well as my 10.3 system. Processor speed and ram should be fine according to Apple when I purchased it. Nothing works!
    (error message)attempts to install the 10.4 OS results in a msg "you cannot install Mac OSX on this volume. Mac OSX cannot start up from this volume."
    Any advise is welcome.

    Welcome to Apple Discussions!
    There are reasons why Mac OS X won't install on your volume:
    1. If you are using a PCI PowerMac G4, versus an AGP PowerMac G4, it won't support an external DVD drive for booting via Firewire. See this article to determine if that's the case:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3082?viewlocale=en_US
    2. If you are using an Update or DropIn labelled DVD. These can only be used on PowerMac G5s, iMac G4s, Powerbook G4s, iBook G4s, that were released between April 6th 2005, and April 29th, 2005.
    Your profile says you are using a PowerMac G4, so we can only assume you are not using one of the above models which can use the disc.
    3. If you are using a gray disc that is labeled some other Mac model than one of the above models, those will not work with a PowerMac G4.
    4. If your disc looks like * and does not say Update, DropIn, or OEM on it, try using the startup manager instead to boot the disc:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TA27043?viewlocale=en_US
    Select the disc instead of following step 3 in the above article:
    3. Click the Apple Hardware Test volume in the startup manager.
    and continue to follow the steps. Sometimes the 'C' key doesn't work.
    5. You don't have at least 256 MB of RAM installed. See my FAQ*:
    http://www.macmaps.com/badram.html
    P.S. It appears you didn't read the header of this forum. We'll ask a moderator to move this post for you.
    If your question concerns a hardware or software technical issue, please do not post in this forum — instead, go to the Apple Discussions Homepage, select an appropriate product category and follow the links until you reach the correct forum for your post, then click the Post New Topic link
    - * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
    Message was edited by: a brody
    Message was edited by: a brody

  • Starting up an emac using an external dvd drive?

    My emac has frozen. I was installing the software update to system 10.4.6 when the machine crashed (not enough HD space? don't know.)
    Now, it won't get past the Starting Mac OS X screen.
    I figure I need to do a clean install or something drastic, just to rebuilt the system software. I think that will work, but I have a problem:
    The 10.4 disks I bought only came in DVDs. My emac only has a CD drive, so I installed the software using an external DVD burner.
    I have tried to restart holding down the C key, but it's not starting off the external drive.
    I have no idea where the ancient OSX disks (CDs) are that came with the computer, and don't know if it's a good idea to go backwards anyhow.
    I know the actual hard drive on the emac is functional, because I was able to make it a target disk to back up the files today.
    Any clue how to start up using the external DVD drive and the 10.4 DVD?

    Edward Rosenstein,
    Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    Had you used patchburn on the external DVD drive?
    Does the drive appear as an option using the option key to bring up Startup Manager?
    You mention backing up the eMac's hard drive in Firewire Target Disk Mode. The host computer you used for that should show you how much free space there is on the eMac hard drive; you'll need at least 5 to 8 GB free.
    If the host computer you used for the Firewire Target Disk Mode backup has a DVD drive, you can use that to install 10.4 onto the eMac while the eMac is connected in target disk mode. If the host computer doesn't have a DVD drive, try moving the external DVD drive to the host, run Patchburn if it's not recognized, and you should be able to install onto the eMac that way.

  • Upgrade to SL using an external DVD drive?

    Hi all:
    I've got an older mac mini (it's an intel machine), but the internal dvd drive has been broken for a long time. I've been using an external DVD drive when needed. I've been trying to upgrade to SL from 10.5.8, but it just won't work. It gets to the instal screen and then at "45 minutes remaining" it flashes to the end of the status bar and reboots my computer... where I am still on 10.5.8. I tried repairing permissions and all that good stuff, but no dice.
    Any help? Is the weak link my external DVD burner? Thanks!

    Yes, there is a reason. That's what I was trying to figure out. I don't think it would have to do with using an external DVD. Did you try starting up from the DVD. You might try that. If you want to erase and install, then you'll have to start up from the DVD. If you can, once the installation begins choose your language; open Disk Utility from the top of the next page; highlight your drive and choose Partition; assuming you want one partition select 1 (you must select a number here even if you don't want to change the number); and select GUID under the options (which also will format/erase your drive). Shut down Disk Utility and continue your installation.
    Next, if you have access to another properly equipped Mac (see link), then you may be able to install using [firewire target disk mode.|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661] Finally, [here is another interesting install possibility mentioned above.|http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20051227162152292] You should be able create your image file like this:
    a. Insert the DVD/CD;
    b. Open Disk Utility, and select the DVD/CD from the left side list (select the DVD/CD icon on top);
    c. from the Disk Utility File menu select New Disk Image from Disk 1;
    d. Choose to format the disk image as DVD/CD Master, name the disk image, click Save; and
    e. Upon completion, Get Info on the .cdr file and lock the file.
    Message was edited by: donv (The Ghost)

  • Installing Windows 7 from external DVD drive

    I removed the internal DVD drive and replaced it with an OCW SSD on my 15" MBP. I used Disk Utility to format it to MS-DOS(FAT). I bought Windows 7 and downloaded the .iso file from the website. I used Disk Utility to burn the .iso image onto the disk. Since BootCamp won't recognize my external DVD drive I installed rEFIt, so after I restarted twice it came up with a prompt to boot from Windows install CD. I click the the icon, the screen goes black, and then the DVD drive stops spooling and I have to hold the power button down to restart it normally. What way is there to install WIndows 7 from an external DVD drive?

    Maybe use Winclone (Mac app)? Others here know more about using Winclone than I do.
    I use Casper (Windows app) for cloning an internal Windows partition to an external drive, so a Casper restore would be just the opposite, but requires a CD drive which you are now lacking.

  • Mini vs. external DVD drive (or hard drive)

    Hi!
    I have a Powerbook G4, was planning to buy an external DVD burner (like a new LaCie with FW400), but now I'm considering getting a Mini instead if I could understand how two Macs can work together, to see if I can somehow have a smarter device for media burning and controlling hardware RAIDs (for storage, not performance). Can one use the Mini as a device for off-loading processing and media burning tasks that one doesn't want taking up time on their main Mac?
    So here are my questions...
    1) When connecting a Mini to a PB, is FW400 the best way to do it? I gather it is from one other posting I've found.
    2) If I connect a Mini to my PB via FW400, can I use Remote Desktop from my PB to control the Mini (analagous to PC Anywhere for PCs)???
    3) If I connect a Mini to my PB via FW400, can I somehow mount the Mini's internal DVD drive on my PowerBook, where the Mini acts as basically an external DVD drive for my PB? Can I do the same with any external hard drives attached to the Mini (see those external hard drives mounted on my PB)? If I do things like that, may I see performance decreases compared to just using external DVD or hard drives?
    Any insight or links for related Mini discussions or web sites would be greatly appreciated!!!

    Could be SL cannot be installed on your model computer, whatever it is.
    Could be the external drive doesn't support Mac OS startup. (Maxtor)
    Startup your Mac normally, and then insert your upgrade disk into the external drive and see what happens.

  • Unable to alternate internal DVD RW drive for external DVD driv

    Hi,
    Please call me Yogie.
    I have a G4 computer issue.
    I have a Mac computer (G4-500mhz dual) with a Pioneer super drive. It has failed, to the point where it won't read dvd's. I've purchased an external dvd-cd burner (lacie) and when I want to record photos from Idvd, the Pioneer super drive tray will open for dvd insertion, but doesn't recognize the dvd. I need to override the Pioneer superdrive, so I can use the Lacie dvd rw drive. How can I do that ?
    Thanks

    Hi Yogie:
    Welcome to discussions!
    How is that LaCie drive formatted? You must use HFS+ to store iMovie files, not FAT32(DOS) or Unix.
    Connect the external drive and then launch Disk Utility (Applications/Utilities). You'll see your external drive in Disk Utility's side bar; select it and then click the Erase tab at the top. From the Volume Format menu select which type of formatting you want (most likely Mac OS Extended-Journaled) and then click the oval Erase button at the lower right.
    Sue

Maybe you are looking for