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MacBooks don’t come with CD drives, which means that if you need to access any CD or DVD content on your Mac, you’ll need to connect an external drive. An external CD/DVD drive is a plug-and-play device that can connect to your Mac via USB or Thunderbolt. If you’re having trouble finding an external CD drive on your Mac, don’t worry – this article will provide you with several different methods to locate and use your external drive.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Find an External CD Drive on Mac
Although optical discs are slowly becoming less relevant, many people still have data stored on CDs or DVDs. If you’re one of those people, accessing that data becomes challenging without a physical CD drive on your Mac. Even if you don’t have any data on a disc, sometimes you need access to the software that comes on an installation CD. This is particularly the case for software that you need to use only one time. As a result, it’s not uncommon for people to require an external CD drive at some point.
Method 1: Using Finder to Locate External CD Drive
The easiest and most straightforward way to find an external CD drive on a Mac is through Finder. Follow the steps below to locate your external drive.
1. First, make sure that your external CD drive is connected to your Mac via USB or Thunderbolt.
2. Once the drive is connected, open Finder. You can do this by clicking on the Finder icon located on the Dock or in your Applications folder.
3. Look for the external drive under the Devices section in the sidebar of your Finder window.
4. If you can’t see your external CD drive under the Devices section, click on the Finder menu in the upper-left corner of your screen and choose Preferences.
5. In the Preferences window, click on the Sidebar tab.
6. Make sure that the option for CDs, DVDs, and iPods is marked with a checkmark. If it’s not, click the checkbox to enable it.
7. Close the Preferences window and check to see if your external CD drive now appears in the sidebar of your Finder window.
Pros:
– It’s the simplest way to locate an external CD drive on a Mac.
– It’s built into the Finder app that comes standard on all Macs.
Cons:
– If your external drive isn’t appearing in Finder, this method won’t work.
Method 2: Using System Information to Locate External CD Drive
Another way to locate your external CD drive on a Mac is by using System Information. This utility provides an in-depth look at the hardware and software of your Mac, including any connected devices.
1. First, connect your external CD drive to your Mac via USB or Thunderbolt.
2. Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen and choose About This Mac.
3. In the Overview tab, click the System Report button.
4. In the System Information app, click on USB or Thunderbolt depending on how your external drive is connected.
5. Scroll down to the list of USB or Thunderbolt devices. Look for your external CD drive under the appropriate section.
Pros:
– This method provides detailed information about all the devices connected to your Mac, not just your CD drive.
– It’s the best method to use if you need to troubleshoot any issues with your CD drive.
Cons:
– It involves more steps than method 1.
Method 3: Using Terminal to Locate External CD Drive
The macOS Terminal app is a powerful tool that allows advanced users to execute commands that aren’t accessible through the regular GUI. You can also use it to locate your external CD drive.
1. Connect your external CD drive to your Mac via USB or Thunderbolt.
2. Launch Terminal by searching for "Terminal" in Spotlight or by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
3. Type the following command into the Terminal window and press Enter:
"`
drutil list
"`
4. Terminal will display a list of your CD/DVD drives, including any external ones you have connected.
Pros:
– Terminal provides more granular information than Finder or System Information.
– It’s the best method to use if you know how to use the command line.
Cons:
– Terminal commands can be intimidating if you’re not experienced with the command line.
Bonus Tip
If none of the methods mentioned above work, you may want to try resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) on your Mac. The SMC controls many hardware functions, including USB and Thunderbolt ports.
To reset the SMC on a Mac with a non-removable battery, follow these steps:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Hold down the left Shift key, Control, and Option keys, and then press the power button at the same time.
3. Release all the keys simultaneously, then power on your Mac.
To reset the SMC on a Mac with a removable battery, follow these steps:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Remove the battery.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4. Re-insert the battery.
5. Power on your Mac.
5 FAQs
Q1: Why isn’t my external CD drive appearing in Finder?
A1: Sometimes a drive won’t appear in Finder because it’s not correctly formatted for your Mac. Try reformatting the drive to a Mac-compatible file system like APFS or HFS+.
Q2: Why isn’t my external CD drive appearing in System Information?
A2: If your CD drive isn’t showing up in System Information, try unplugging and plugging it back in, or try a different cable or port.
Q3: Can I use a Windows external CD drive with my Mac?
A3: Most external CD drives are cross-platform and work with both Mac and Windows computers. However, some may be specific to one platform or the other. Check the manufacturer’s specifications before buying an external CD drive for your Mac.
Q4: Can I play music from an external CD drive on my Mac?
A4: Yes, you can play music from an external CD drive on your Mac using iTunes or other media player applications.
Q5: Can I use an external CD drive with my Macbook Air or Macbook Pro with Retina Display?
A5: Yes, you can use an external CD drive with a Macbook Air or Macbook Pro with Retina Display as long as you have a USB or Thunderbolt port available.
Final Thoughts
Having an external CD drive is essential for many Mac users, especially if you have data or software stored on CDs or DVDs. Some of the easiest ways to locate your external CD drive on your Mac include using the Finder app, the System Information utility, or the Terminal app. If you’re still having trouble finding your external drive, try resetting the SMC on your Macbook. Hopefully, this article has helped you locate and access your external CD drive on your Mac.
