How do I use an external CD/DVD drive?

Answer

  1. To power the external CD/DVD drive, plug the skinnier of the two provided USB cables into both a USB port on the computer you’ll be using and the round power port located on the back left corner of the CD/DVD drive.
  2. Next, connect the CD/DVD drive to the computer using the thicker cable. Plug the squared-off connector into the port immediately to the right of the CD/DVD drive’s power port, and plug the standard USB connector into another USB port on the computer.
  3. On Windows:
    • After you’ve plugged the CD/DVD drive into the computer, Windows will install the driver to enable the use of the device.
    • Put a CD or DVD into the drive, and you’re good to go.
    • If nothing happens immediately, then your PC may not have a default action associated with the type of CD/DVD you put in the drive (e.g. opening Windows Media Player when you insert a DVD movie or music CD).
    • Go to “My Computer” (either through a shortcut on your desktop, or through Windows Explorer), and select the CD or DVD in the CD/DVD drive.
  4. On Mac OS X:
    • The CD/DVD device won’t appear on your desktop or in the Finder immediately. Just like a built-in SuperDrive, your Mac (by default) won’t show you that the CD/DVD drive is there until you put a disk in it.
    • Put a CD or DVD into the drive, and you’re good to go.
  • Last Updated Sep 30, 2025
  • Views 2039
  • Answered By Sarah Mueller

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