Sharing DVDs or CDs with Remote Disc

  • Last Modified: October 30, 2009
  • Article: HT1131
  • Old Article: 307141

Summary

You can enable DVD or CD Sharing on a Mac or Windows computer to use the Remote Disc feature. Some discs, such as DVD movies and game discs, may be copy-protected and therefore unusable through DVD or CD Sharing.

Note: Make sure you first install the DVD or CD Sharing Setup software on any Mac or Windows computer you want to partner with. Some Macintosh computers come with the software preinstalled. If you do not see DVD or CD Sharing in the System Preferences Sharing pane, as shown below, you'll need to use the Install DVD that came with your computer to install it or run Software Update to download and install it.

Products Affected

MacBook Air (Mid 2009), MacBook Air (Original), MacBook Air (Late 2008), Mac mini (Late 2009), Mac mini (Early 2009)

Enable DVD or CD Sharing, if your other computer is a Mac:

  1. Make sure the other Mac and your MacBook Air or Mac mini are on the same wireless network.
  2. Check the AirPort status icon in the menu bar to see what network you're connected to.
  3. On the other Mac, choose Apple > System Preferences and then open Sharing.
  4. In the Sharing panel, select "DVD or CD Sharing" in the Service list. If you want other users to request permission to share a DVD or CD, select "Ask me before allowing others to use my DVD drive."

Enable DVD or CD Sharing, if your other computer is a Windows computer:

  1. Make sure your MacBook Air or Mac mini and the Windows computer are on the same wireless network.
  2. On the Windows computer, open the DVD or CD Sharing control panel.
  3. Select "Enable DVD or CD Sharing." If you want other users to request permission to share a DVD or CD, select "Ask me before allowing others to use my DVD drive."

Use a shared DVD or CD:

  1. On the other computer, insert a DVD or CD into the optical disc drive.
  2. On your MacBook Air or Mac mini, select the Remote Disc when it appears under Devices in the Finder sidebar. If you see the "Ask to use" button, click it. 
  3. On the other computer, when prompted, click Accept to allow your MacBook Air to use the DVD or CD.
  4. On your MacBook Air, use the disc as you normally would once it becomes available. 

    If you try to shut down the other computer or eject the shared DVD or CD while your MacBook Air is using it, you'll see a message telling you that the disc is in use. To proceed, click Continue.

Note: Some CDs or DVDs may be unable to install over a network using DVD or CD Sharing if they contain some forms of copy protection.

Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

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