Hotway external DVD drive not working on my Mac 10.6.3

Hi - I've just bought a Hotway external DVD drive (HC2-SU2) which claims to be Mac compatible.

When I connect to my USB nothing happens.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,
Darren

Maybe you should try running software update and see if that helps?

thanks doing that now - let's what happens...

You don't need to run software update. An external USB DVD drive will not show up on the desktop until you put a CD or DVD in it. You're running Mac OS X not Windows.

chscag said:

You don't need to run software update. An external USB DVD drive will not show up on the desktop until you put a CD or DVD in it. You're running Mac OS X not Windows.

Click to expand...

But wouldn't it show up in disk utility or under USB devices?

MacDude121 said:

But wouldn't it show up in disk utility or under USB devices?

Click to expand...

Yes it would but that's not what he said....

When I connect to my USB nothing happens.

Click to expand...

Usually that means it's not showing up on the desktop - which it won't until you put a disk in it. Same thing happens with a USB floppy drive. The drive doesn't show up on the desktop until you place a floppy in it to read.

chscag said:

Yes it would but that's not what he said....



Usually that means it's not showing up on the desktop - which it won't until you put a disk in it. Same thing happens with a USB floppy drive. The drive doesn't show up on the desktop until you place a floppy in it to read.

Click to expand...

I guess I just assumed when the OP said "Nothing happens" they would've checked to see if the drive was showing up in disk utility. My mistake..

MacDude121 said:

I guess I just assumed when the OP said "Nothing happens" they would've checked to see if the drive was showing up in disk utility. My mistake..

Click to expand...

A lot of people accustomed to Windows get a Mac and plug things in and when there is no sounds and things flashing, they feel it's not working and do not even try a DVD in the drive!

I agree though, 10.6.2 should have been updated AGES ago! So you suggesting him to update can't hurt but I doubt that is his issue.

Thanks everyone.
But I know I'm running a Mac OS and that wasn't the issue.
The drive wasn't responding at all and the content wasn't showing in Finder even when I inserted a disc.
Anyway solved the problem with Hotway's help.

I was connecting via a USB hub and needed to connect direct to the Mac.
Now it works.

Thanks everyone for your inputs.

Darren

Glad to hear you resolved it. That's the one thing I forgot to mention, USB hubs between devices such as an external floppy or optical drive do not work. The reason is because the media has to be inserted before the device mounts and the hub prevents it. Have fun and visit often.

If it a good Powered USB Hub it should work. The unpowered ones won't with most drives. I have a 7-Port Belkin and a 7-Port one from Target, both powered and every drive I plug in works.

Hey - good tip Dennis - thanks...will invest in one.

Darren