Mac Mini doesn't work with external drive

I have a Mac Mini 10.9.5 and had been able to play my DVD movies with the external disc drive. Then one day a message popped up - USB drive not supported on this Mac. The DVD is now stuck in the external drive and can't get it out. Help please...Sheila

What have you done between the last time it all worked and now??

What DVD player model is it??

Have you tried:
- power cycling the DVD player
- Restart the mini but hold down your mouse button when you hear the boot sound and it may pop the disk out.






- Patrick
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Any chance you have disconnected the USB drive withoutjecting it first? With the xternal connected, what does Disk Utility have to say/ KS it seen on your Desktop?

Also, what model and year Mac mini are you using?

Hi Group, thanks for your fast replies. I got lucky: There are three slots on the mini where I can connect the very short cable of the DVD player.. I tried the first one and it didn't work. When I tried the next one the DVD started. The Mini is a "late 2012", but it isn't much ore than 2 years old. OTOH I could have forgotten to eject the drive, as my brain is getting old. : ). I mostly only do email, write, or watch movies. Thanks again! Sheila