Q: usb 3.0, my passport

I have a macbook, late 2008 on osx el capitan. I just bought a WD My Passport external hard drive & it almost never connects to my laptop, the light comes on, I can hear it & feel it operating, but it doesn't show up on my laptop, why not? Is it because the USB ports are 2.0 & the cord is a 3.0? If so, how much is it to update my usb ports to 3.0?

MacBook, OSX 10.11.1

Posted on Nov 9, 2015 5:38 PM

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Q: usb 3.0, my passport

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by kaz-k,

kaz-k Nov 9, 2015 7:46 PM in response to Vette58Lover
Level 5 (5,845 points)

Desktops

Nov 9, 2015 7:46 PM in response to Vette58Lover

You can't update USB port to 3.0. What does System report say about USB?
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by Vette58Lover,

Vette58Lover Nov 9, 2015 8:34 PM in response to kaz-k
Level 1 (0 points)

Nov 9, 2015 8:34 PM in response to kaz-k

I was afraid of that. I haven't taken it in or anything yet, I was trying to get as much info before I took it in to hopefully get a better idea of what I would be in for.
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by OGELTHORPE,

OGELTHORPE Nov 10, 2015 3:57 AM in response to Vette58Lover
Level 9 (52,489 points)

Mac OS X

Nov 10, 2015 3:57 AM in response to Vette58Lover

USB3 is supposed to be backwards compatible with USB2. Have you tried all ports and a powered hub? Does the HDD show in Disk Utility? Have you connected it to another Mac?

Ciao.
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Q: usb 3.0, my passport

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by kaz-k,

by Vette58Lover,

by OGELTHORPE,

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