My new 2024 Mac mini 4 with Tahoe OS doesn't fully work with my 2018 MCE USB 3.0 Portable 6X Blu-ray writer. I don't have any sound coming out in Music app, it reads the CD's listing. The MCE Drive Software is supposedly up to date. Their website isn't appeared to be up-to-date. Is it time to replace the unit or a software fix available?
Mac mini (M4, 2024)
First, have you ever cleaned the drive? Optical drives can get quite dirty inside. You can pick up a drive cleaning disk for US$5-10 at most home entertainment stores or office stores that sell computer accessories. Given your drive is older that could be a cheaply-fixed issue. I've used on to restore full operation to the SuperDrives in three older Macbook Pros whose drives had been pronounced dead by Apple techs, back when that was a US$150 parts + labor charge.
After dirt, the majority of issues we see here with "portable/mobile" or "bus-powered" external optical drives are power-related. Optical drives can demand more power than the computer's USB port can furnish. In addition to running the electronics, they must turn a motor. That really ramps up the neediness.
So try swapping ports first. Your Thunderbolt ports may give more power.
Next I would try adding a self-powered hub or dock between the drive and the computer. Those have independent power supplies and that may be enough to make the drive happy.
Many bus-powered drives, especial the "low-cost" ones. have a one combo power/data cable that is fixed and cant be replaced. If the cable develops a fault, you have to replace the entire drive.
If you shop for a newer drive, look for these attributes:
— tray-loading (more reliable and easier to keep clean)
— self-powered (has it own power supply)
— Has separate, replaceable power and data cables (in case the cat chews through one 🐈⬛)
— optional: supports USB 3.x
First, have you ever cleaned the drive? Optical drives can get quite dirty inside. You can pick up a drive cleaning disk for US$5-10 at most home entertainment stores or office stores that sell computer accessories. Given your drive is older that could be a cheaply-fixed issue. I've used on to restore full operation to the SuperDrives in three older Macbook Pros whose drives had been pronounced dead by Apple techs, back when that was a US$150 parts + labor charge.
After dirt, the majority of issues we see here with "portable/mobile" or "bus-powered" external optical drives are power-related. Optical drives can demand more power than the computer's USB port can furnish. In addition to running the electronics, they must turn a motor. That really ramps up the neediness.
So try swapping ports first. Your Thunderbolt ports may give more power.
Next I would try adding a self-powered hub or dock between the drive and the computer. Those have independent power supplies and that may be enough to make the drive happy.
Many bus-powered drives, especial the "low-cost" ones. have a one combo power/data cable that is fixed and cant be replaced. If the cable develops a fault, you have to replace the entire drive.
If you shop for a newer drive, look for these attributes:
— tray-loading (more reliable and easier to keep clean)
— self-powered (has it own power supply)
— Has separate, replaceable power and data cables (in case the cat chews through one 🐈⬛)
— optional: supports USB 3.x
MCE USB 3.0 Portable Blue-Ray Writer 3.0 not fully working with new Mac Mini
