AhmedM1

Q: MacBook not Detecting External Hard Drive

i just start using MacBook 12" with usb c port, i got with my mac usb c to normal usb converter, i have tried it with memory stick and it works but with my 2 external hard drives in not detect any or even show in disk utility, please help.

MacBook, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jun 28, 2016 9:24 AM

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Q: MacBook not Detecting External Hard Drive

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  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jun 28, 2016 2:00 PM in response to AhmedM1
    Level 6 (14,269 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 28, 2016 2:00 PM in response to AhmedM1

    Are the external hard drives in self-powered enclosures, or do they

    need port power to run? You don't specify several items that may be

    useful for a reply to be researched; several answers may exist.

     

    Do you have this adapter?

    • USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter

     

    Sometimes different adapters are required; other times a hub with

    options, so you have more ports than the original; and all of them

    would need primarily to use USB-C. Including the power adapter.

     

    Not all power adapters will allow the 29W adapter to be in use; so

    depending on the choice or availability of other versions, you may

    not be able to use the product. Also, not all USB-C to other type

    of plug adapters are of equal or reliable quality. Check all to see.

     

    • Using the USB-C port and adapters on your MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) and later - Apple Support

     

    A memory stick does not require power to the degree that rotational

    hard disk drives in external enclosures will; so if those external HDD

    units have their own power adapter, that should make a difference.

    And if so, you may not have had an issue. There may be some other

    problem behind the situation you are faced with.

     

    There is a built-in diagnostic test for the computer in its OS X; but

    that may not help if the issue is a peripheral adapter problem.

     

    Not sure what else to say...

    Good luck in any event.

  • by AhmedM1,

    AhmedM1 AhmedM1 Jul 24, 2016 5:30 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 24, 2016 5:30 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Dear Shaffer,

     

    thank you for your reply and sorry for the late reply as i was in holiday, i have WD HD passport, and seagate backup and portable derive and using USB-C to USB Adapter, i have tried to connect it again but still not working.

     

    thank you.

  • by AhmedM1,

    AhmedM1 AhmedM1 Jul 24, 2016 5:31 AM in response to AhmedM1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 24, 2016 5:31 AM in response to AhmedM1

    i forgot to mention that, the hard power is on and i can feel it's running.

  • by AhmedM1,

    AhmedM1 AhmedM1 Jul 24, 2016 5:42 AM in response to AhmedM1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 24, 2016 5:42 AM in response to AhmedM1

    thank you Shaffer it's working now