Problems with our iMac externals...

[pleasehelp1]

MasOS BigSur version 11.1 - 21” desktop iMac.
We bought this computer new in 2020 and we are having the following problems:
1) won’t recognize external DVD Samsung player
2) won’t recognize one of our other external drives
3) won’t print in color - new HP printer and it will only print the black ink - went to HP to update drivers - didn’t help

Thank you.

 

[hg.wells]

Hi Pleasehelp1,

Is this your first Mac?

1,2 - Have you opened Finder? The external drive will be listed on the left hand side. Does the DVD player have a disk in it?

3 - When you print look through the menu options, sounds like you have the checkbox for print in greyscale selected.

If this is your first Mac, I’d recommend starting here:

Mac tips for Windows switchers - Apple Support

Learn how to perform common tasks on your new Mac.

support.apple.com

 

[Fishrrman]

For the Samsung DVD/CD drive...

Is this a USB drive?
If so, did it come with a "Y cable"?
If it did, are you using it?

Have you done this:
- Go to the finder (click on the desktop to make the finder active)
- Open Finder preferences
- Put a check into Show CDs, DVDs, and iPods
???

Also, as mentioned above, be aware that you have to put a disk into the drive before it will mount on the desktop.
Also, if it's a DVD, putting one in might open an app automatically. That's ok if it's the app you want to play the DVD...

For the external drive that won't mount...
Do you have only this one drive?
Or... do you have other external drives, as well?
If you do have other drives, do THEY mount on the desktop?
(wondering if the problem is limited to this one drive, but not others)