MacOS Sonoma - USB Super Drive not recognized?

[A4orce84]

Hi All,

I have plugged my USB-C adapter into the port on my M2 MacBook Pro and then to the USB Superdrive into the adapter, but I just get the message that USB Accessory needs power. It does NOT seem to be able to power up the super drive and activate it.

Is there a known adapter that works with the Super Drive?

Thanks.

 

[Bigwaff]

Is there a known adapter that works with the Super Drive?

Apple brand

USB-C to USB Adapter

The USB-C to USB Adapter lets you connect your iOS devices and USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) enabled Mac. Buy now a apple.com

www.apple.com

But you can find even cheaper on eBay.

 

[A4orce84]

@Bigwaff - Did you solve this issue with the official Apple adapter?

Thanks.

 

[BrianBaughn]

I'd bet that it would.

Another option would be a powered USB-C hub with USB ports on it. Good to have if you think you'll ever need it for other devices.

 

[A4orce84]

Makes sense, so I'm assuming the official Apple USB-C Adapter is powered? Interesting.

 

[A4orce84]

I'd bet that it would.

Another option would be a powered USB-C hub with USB ports on it. Good to have if you think you'll ever need it for other devices.

Makes sense, so I'm assuming the official Apple USB-C Adapter is powered? Interesting.

 

[Fishrrman]

"I'm assuming the official Apple USB-C Adapter is powered?"

No, it's not. I don't see any provision for a power supply in that link posted above.

I'm guessing that the adapter you tried isn't "passing through" USB power.
But I could be wrong.
I don't own the SuperDrive, but I've read it can be finicky with some Macs...

EDIT:
Just for purposes of experimentation, I booted up my 2021 MacBook Pro (m1pro).

I took my OLD Apple DVD/CD drive (this is originally from an old MacBook Pro that my friend recycled -- he gave the bare DVD/CD drive to me, and I put it into a USB enclosure bought on ebay), connected a USBa to USBc adapter, and plugged it in.

I put an audio CD into it.
The drive was powered on, pulled in the CD, read the contents.

I was able to play an audio track from the drive.
Then ejected the CD.

So...
Again... I'm thinking the USBa-to-USBc adapter you have might not be passing through USB bus power to the drive. But there might also be "other factors" involved.

The adapter dongle I used:

Cable Matters USB C to USB Adapter 6 Inches (USB to USB C Adapter, USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter, USB C OTG) in Black

The Cable Matters USB 3.1 Type-C to Type-A adapter provides a convenient connection between the newest devices with USB Type-C and legacy USB peripherals with Type A. It adapts the Type-C port on a computer to connect all legacy equipment, peripherals, cables, hubs and chargers that ...

www.amazon.com

 

[iStorm]

Yes, Apple's USB-C to USB adapter should work...at least according to their support pages.

How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive - Apple Support

Find out which Mac computers can use the Apple USB SuperDrive and how to connect it.

support.apple.com

The SuperDrive is known to require more power than what a USB port typically provides and usually doesn't work with USB hubs. CalDigit, for example, does have a driver to allow the SuperDrive to work with their docks.

 

[A4orce84]

Is there somewhere I can check this? I have an OWC Dock that also is not allowing things to work properly.

 

[iStorm]

Is there somewhere I can check this? I have an OWC Dock that also is not allowing things to work properly.

Looks like you need the "Dock Ejector" software.

Please note that in order to use the Apple USB Super Drive with a OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock or the Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock, a driver that is bundled with our Dock Ejector app must first be installed and then the device must be connected to a high-powered USB 3.x port. Note: the location of the high-powered port(s) on each dock may vary; please verify by checking the User Guide for your product. For the original 12-, 13-, and 14-port OWC Thunderbolt 3 Docks, the drive will not work if plugged into the high-powered USB port on the front of the dock, or any of the standard power USB ports on the back.

https://eshop.macsales.com/Service/.../707/Thunderbolt-3-Dock-Apple-USB-Super-Drive