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External DVD drive

So I recently bought a cheap and cheerful external DVD drive for my iMac as I enjoy watching the occasional DVD.


It's proving nigh on impossible to use as I can't get the device recognised by the Mac. I plug it in via USB put a DVD in and I get loads of noise and flashing lights but all quietens down after about 10 seconds and nothing showing in locations.


If I then plug the player into one of the other USB sockets the process starts again but nothing in locations. My success rate of actually getting the player recognised is about 1 in 10 moves of the USB and it appears completely random as to whether it will work or not!!


I know you're all screaming "should have bought a better player" but is that really it? Or am I missing something obvious?


Thanks


Nick

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Apr 4, 2022 11:09 PM

Reply
6 replies

Apr 5, 2022 8:23 AM in response to enjaybee

You have us operating with painfully little technical information here. Please post:


  • the SUB-Model of your iMac and its macOS version, from "About this Mac.." (NO serial number however!)
  • the make and model of the "cheap player" so we can research it.
  • What USB cable? (USB2 or USB 3. A USB 3 cable has blue plastic in the connector)
  • Have you tested the player with a known-good pressed—not burned—DVD, like a commercial movie DVD?
  • have you tested the USB port on your computer with a different device to confirm it is working properly?


We need to work through those issues before recommending something else, If you have unresolved software or hardware issues with your iMac, a different brand of of player will not help.

Apr 6, 2022 9:59 AM in response to den.thed

It was just if anyone knew of any general problems, but;


iMac (Retina 5K 27-inch, 2019)

macOS Catalina 10.15.7

It's a Patuoxun External DVD/CD Drive USB 3


Have tried in all the USB ports on the computer as well as on a D-Link extender. Sometimes it works in one and not the others, another time it won't work in the one it worked before but might in a different Port.


Yes I have tried other devices in the same ports and none have the same problem


I have tried with good quality DVDs


As I said, I was really just curious if there was a simple known issue, I have plenty of other methods of accessing DVDs this would have been icing on an already lovely cake.


Thank you all for your time though.


Nick

External DVD drive

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