External DVD writer

I have a G5 IMac. My internal Pioneer DVD writer seems to have decided to pack it in. I opted to buy an external DVD writer so purchased a MacBook Air. Although it is a USB drive, I get nothing when I plug it into the various USB ports. Is there some setting or something else I should be doing? Help.

I'm confused. Did you buy the Air as an external burner?, because that's how it reads here.

Kevriano said:

I'm confused. Did you buy the Air as an external burner?, because that's how it reads here.

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I'm going to guess that he's referring to the Add-on Superdrive for the MacBook Air. And if that's true, it will not work with any old machine - it's specifically designed for the Air.

What the OP needs is a generic USB DVD burner like this one:

Amazon.com: Samsung USB 2.0 8x DVD Writer External Optical Drive for Mac and PC SE-S084C/RSBN (Gloss Black): Electronics

Or even better a Firewire optical drive as most G5's will not boot from a USB external, being PowerPC machines.


http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MRF82SD22LS/

cwa107 said:

I'm going to guess that he's referring to the Add-on Superdrive for the MacBook Air. And if that's true, it will not work with any old machine - it's specifically designed for the Air.

What the OP needs is a generic USB DVD burner like this one:

Amazon.com: Samsung USB 2.0 8x DVD Writer External Optical Drive for Mac and PC SE-S084C/RSBN (Gloss Black): Electronics

Click to expand...

It was the add on Superdrive. I took it back and got the SE S084. I've plugged it in but it doesn't register. It just spins and the LED flashes. Is there some setting I should be looking at? MAC is foreign to me, being a converted PC user. Disregard. Silly me. I wasn't completely plugged into the USB port. It is working now. Thanks guys for your input.

cimice3 said:

It was the add on Superdrive. I took it back and got the SE S084. I've plugged it in but it doesn't register. It just spins and the LED flashes. Is there some setting I should be looking at? MAC is foreign to me, being a converted PC user.

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Yes, you need to stop buying the MacBook Air add-on drive (any model), it doesn't work with anything other than the MacBook Air.

Check out the link Harry posted above, as you need a Firewire-based drive for your G5 iMac. That will work perfectly.

harryb2448 said:

Or even better a Firewire optical drive as most G5's will not boot from a USB external, being PowerPC machines.


OWC Mercury Pro 800/400+USB2+eSATA SuperMu... (MRF82SD22LS) at OWC

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Thanks for your advice. I'm up and running now.