Using Apple USB SuperDrive with B2

[Peter Orr]

This does not work, I’m guessing the USB A port on the B2 doesn’t have enough power to drive it. Anybody got any fixes? I’m trying to save wear on the B2 drive before an onslaught of 1500 CDs being loaded.

[PMB]

Hi Peter,

You could try using a powered USB hub between the Superdrive and the B2 to provide more power.

However as it appears the Superdrive needs a connected computer to access controls such as Eject it won't be compatible with the B2.

Paul.

[Brennan Support]

Martin here - make sure you turn the B2 off when connecting an external CD mechanism. But it could be a power problem so powered hub would be a useful test - M

[WBMcK]

I have a similar question, but looking on the web, it appears, as is common, that Apple has some special sauce in operation of its branded devices. My researches have lead me to sites that indicate that you need to wake up the Apple device with a specific set of commands eg: https://christianmoser.me/use-apples-usb-superdrive-with-linux/

Peter, did you have success with using a powered hub? 

Martin, as the tech expert, does Moser's site make sense in that you need something extra to get the Superdrive to recognize a nonMac OS? 

Eager to see if I can repurpose the drive on hand. 

[Michael Sneade]

I am liking Apples special sauce! Are you having it with pork?

Mike

[Peter Orr]

Tried using a powered hub with my Apple Suoerdrive but no joy. I'm guessing it needs special interface commands to work. So I bought an LG GP57EB40 DVD writer from Currys for £24.99 and it works fine as a reader. I just moved the WiFi dongle to USB C and plugged the drive into the USB A port (as I understand that A has more power capability and the CD reader is host powered). Certainly speeds up the ripping process over the internal drive and needed no setup apart from powering off and on again to be recognised by the B2.

[WBMcK]

Delighted it worked for you -- I found an old drive at a tech swap -- externally powered so used C. Ripping using the WebUI and it had worked great. 

Fro M Sneade, I prefer my Apple special sauce with clams -- $$$$ the Apple way!

[SB]

Just in case anyone with an Apple Superdrive they want to get working with the B2 comes across this thread, take a look at https://groups.google.com/g/brennanb2/c/AfoIYOYb9cE/m/wQINtXc3AgAJ where details of how to get it working are provided.