How to Find a CD I Inserted Into a Mac

Most CDs appear directly on the desktop on a Mac.

In most cases when you insert a CD or DVD into a Mac, the disc appears on the desktop, allowing you to easily view its contents or, in the case of a blank disc, drag files onto it for burning. At times, you may find that the disc does not appear on the desktop or even in the Finder, making it difficult to locate. Luckily, OS X provides tools and options for dealing with this problem.

Instructions

1. Click the "Apple" icon at the top left of your screen and click "System Preferences" in the drop-down window that appears. You can also click the "System Preferences" icon in the dock at the bottom of the screen. The icon looks like three gray gears.

2. Click the "CDs & DVDs" icon under the "Hardware" section of the System Preferences window.

3. Click the box next to "When you insert a blank CD" and choose the action you would like the computer to take when a CD is inserted. Choosing "Open Finder" will open a Finder window when a disc is inserted, displaying its contents immediately. You may also wish to change the settings for a blank DVD as well.

4. Eject the CD from the Mac by holding the "eject" key on the keyboard for a few seconds. The "eject" key looks like a triangle with a line under it.

5. Re-insert the CD. The disc should now appear on the desktop.

References

• Apple: Blank Disc May Not Appear in the Finder
• Apple: Mac 101: Set Your Preferences