Mac not recognizing backup drive - argh!

06/21/2014 06:47:06 PM · #1

Hey all Mac peeps

For whatever reason, my Mac mini (runs Mavericks) has decided that it doesn't want to recognize my 2TB LaCie Porsche anymore :-( which really sucks because said LaCie is my primary backup drive, and it's overdue for a backup. Not seeing the LaCie be recognized for no discernible reason at all is kinda annoying. Could it be the USB cord or something else that simple?

Anyone have any other ideas?

Message edited by author 2014-06-21 19:10:00.

06/21/2014 08:11:38 PM · #2

Could be the USB socket on the macmini, plug something else in there and test it.

See if it shows up in Disk Utility

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

06/21/2014 08:17:36 PM · #3

The Macmini has 5 different USB sockets, tried em all...nothing. *sigh* It was working fine til recently, when I swapped out the LaCie Porsche for its predecessor, another LaCie, with its own USB and power cords, so that I could dig up my Hidden Gem entry.

Don't think I've tried Disk Utility yet....here goes...nope. Says it can't find the backup disk when I click on the time machine. I think it's the USB cord, even though I've barely had this LaCie since last fall :-(

ETA: Just dug up the old LaCie, plugged it in, no prob, it's there. Ejected it, plugged in the new LaCie into exactly the same USB outlet...nothin. Must be that. And nope, can't use old LaCie's USB cord on the new one - the connection is way different. Won't fit.

Message edited by author 2014-06-21 20:24:05.

pgirish007

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

06/21/2014 09:57:44 PM · #4

I am facing same problem with Segate 4TB external drive when I connect to Macbook Pro 13 inch with same software version as iMac and iMac does identify and takes backup regularly. No clue till date.

Cuttooth

Canon EOS R

06/21/2014 10:17:48 PM · #5

Not sure if you've tried it already but did you try resetting the pram and smc?

06/21/2014 10:23:22 PM · #6

Very often, an external HD that fails to mount turns out to be a bad power supply. If you have another power adapter around with the same specs, try that.

06/22/2014 08:46:08 AM · #7

Originally posted by Cuttooth:

Not sure if you've tried it already but did you try resetting the pram and smc?

Cuttooth...Pram and smc...?! If I knew what they were, where to find them and how to reset them, I'll give it a try! Sorry, not a techie at all.

@

scalvert...I did try the power cord from the other LaCie, which is a 1TB Neil Poulton. Don't know if it was the same specs but it still didn't work. The LaCie fires up fine, it's the Mac not recognizing it.

The USB cord is still my main suspect, I remember having to replace the NP LaCie's USB cord before I stopped using it.

Message edited by author 2014-06-22 08:47:47.

06/22/2014 08:55:08 AM · #8

Would seem strange for the USB cable to simply stop working however not impossible.

Did you plug it in and check if the drive shows up in Disk Utility?

06/22/2014 09:04:09 AM · #9

Originally posted by MAK:

Would seem strange for the USB cable to simply stop working however not impossible.

Did you plug it in and check if the drive shows up in Disk Utility?

Yes, I did plug it in and nope it doesn't show up in Disk Utility. Just killing time til the local little electronics shop opens up so I can go see if they have another USB like this one.

06/22/2014 09:17:13 AM · #10

I have one of THESE although mine is a different make. It is extremely useful for testing drives and also comes in handy for reading drives that I have put back-ups on.. I use it always plugged in then simply select the HDD that I want to look at (example 'photo 1') simply plug it in the top and away you go, if you want to look at another Disk simply pull it out and put another one in.. works with both sizes.

06/22/2014 09:24:53 AM · #11

OK now it's making a liar of me and showing up in Disk Utility...I just hit Verify and everything looks fine...I daren't hit Repair button, because nothing seems to be broken, it's just not turning up on my Mac (apart from here in Disk Utility).

But when I go to Time Machine it says 'Next backup: when disk (meaning the LaCie) is connected'. Which it is. But it isn't being recognized.

*sigh*

06/22/2014 11:19:06 AM · #12

Originally posted by snaffles:

I daren't hit Repair button, because nothing seems to be broken, it's just not turning up on my Mac (apart from here in Disk Utility).

That's what Repair is FOR.

06/22/2014 11:55:45 AM · #13

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by snaffles:
I daren't hit Repair button, because nothing seems to be broken, it's just not turning up on my Mac (apart from here in Disk Utility).

That's what Repair is FOR.

06/22/2014 01:28:01 PM · #14

Ok, Ok, I know I'm a tech doofius. So I was being ultra-cautious by not hitting the Repair button in case it reformatted the LaCie and wiped it all out or some such thing as can happen during the repair proces..

...but...if you both say it's the thing to do...*holding breath*

06/22/2014 01:31:15 PM · #15

While you're at it, select your internal hard drive and choose "Repair Permissions." It might help the mounting issue, and it's a good idea to do that once in a while anyway (particularly after major software installations).

06/22/2014 01:38:38 PM · #16

Ok so now I am in Disk Utilities, the LaCie is showing up, but both verify Disk and Repair Disk are greyed out and can't be selected. Now what?

ETA: didn't get and start using this LaCie til after I installed Mavericks. Am running the repair permission thingy on the mini itself now.

Message edited by author 2014-06-22 13:40:39.

06/22/2014 01:47:58 PM · #17

Did you reformat the LaCie before you started using it? Most external hard drives are formatted for PC by default, and while they may "work" with a Mac the formatting is not optimal. If you did this recently and won't lose anything by backing up again, I'd reformat the drive. It should work perfectly after that.

06/22/2014 02:39:36 PM · #18

I formatted the LaCie on the Mac, it was designated for Mac use only.

As it so happens, things seem to be working fine now...I did as you said, Shannon, and did Repair Permissions on the hd and then verified them. Then an entire reboot of the whole system and now my LaCie is back on the desktop where it belongs, the Time Machine is preparing backup as we speak. Or write.

So thanks much for all your help, greatly appreciated! :-)

06/22/2014 02:52:44 PM · #19

Excellent news, glad you got it sorted.