LaCie drive turns off for no reason

Question

Level 2

406 points

LaCie drive turns off for no reason

I am trying to solve an annoying problem for my dad, who purchased a 500G LaCie in order to use with Time Machine. The problem is that ever since he installed it he has had the problem that for no reason the drive shuts down - the blue light goes out, the icon disappears from the desktop, and the error message appears saying that the device was improperly removed. We heard that Snow Leopard had improved the error message problem so we upgraded to that and no change. We switched over to a firewire cable instead of a USB cable and no change.

Here are the details of his setup: Intel Mac mini running SL, LaCie 500G FW drive, plugged into back of 20" cinema display, using drive for Time Machine. In energy preference we have unchecked box for putting drives to sleep.

Thanks for any help with this.

MacBook Pro Intel Core Duo/iMac 24", Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Oct 9, 2009 1:54 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 9, 2009 3:03 PM in response to Ranger Ric

Drives don't lose power for no reason. Sounds like the case, drive, or power supply may be defective. Or the power supply isn't plugged in properly. In any case it's a LaCie product so you need to contact them for tech support - especially if it's in warranty.

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Answer 2

Oct 11, 2009 7:41 AM in response to Ranger Ric

I have just had a similar problem with my LaCie drive and am awaiting a new power supply under warranty. LaCie have had some problems recently with power supplies.

The way I was told to test my power supply was to leave it plugged into the mains socket but hold the transformer box (black oblong dodah) to my ear, the box should be silent, no noise, mine was making a squishing noise, which is the sign of a problem. I was then requested to return it for exchange and I am waiting for the replacement (2 weeks now, quote, "it has to be ordered in"?)

Given that there are known problems with power supplies one would have thought LaCie Tech would have spares on the shelf. Clearly spares cost money and customers can wait. This will be my last LaCie drive, period.

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Answer 3

Oct 25, 2009 3:45 AM in response to Peter Bovis

Same problem here ! My Lacie 500 drive shuts down without any reason ! I get the message that tells me I have not properly removed my drive ! Sometimes it reappears after a few seconds and then disappears again ??? I've checked my power supply but the shop says the supply works or it does not work ? They say it is not possible that the supply only works sometimes and think it's software related ? Could this be right ?

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Answer 4

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Oct 25, 2009 8:35 AM in response to Community User

As Peter says, there have been a lot of these. Your profile doesn't tell us where you are or who "the shop" is, but I'd check with LaCie.

And that was in fact Peter's problem: he posted back in his original thread that he finally got the new one, and his drive is running properly again.

Also, of course, check all your connections for being snug; try different ports and cables; and be sure it's plugged-in to a known good power source, preferably a good surge protector or U.P.S.

(off topic: Hi, Peter! 🙂 )

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Answer 5

Tommaty

Level 1

4 points

Oct 25, 2009 11:00 AM in response to Pondini

It seems as if there is a major USB issue in Snow Leopard. If you investigate the support page, you will find that many people have all kinds of USB problems.

I do too:
Maxtor external HD is not detected
External HD gets disconnected without reason (especially after sleep)
Insterting USB plug results in other USB devices not working
Mac won't startup/shut down with certain USB devices connected

It seems to be that the USB issue is the one rubbish thing that ruins things for many. I guess that the Lacie problems might also be Snow Leopard related, and not a Lacie problem.

Yours,

Tom

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Answer 6

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Oct 25, 2009 11:08 AM in response to Tommaty

Tommaty wrote:
It seems as if there is a major USB issue in Snow Leopard. If you investigate the support page, you will find that many people have all kinds of USB problems.

It may be "many people" but a small percentage of millions of users.

Have you tried this: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL947

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Answer 7

Tommaty

Level 1

4 points

Oct 25, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Pondini

Been there, done that. It keeps stating that the update is not needed...

btw: I have the same problems with Ipod. So they don't seem to be a brand specific problems.

Cheerz anyway!

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Answer 8

Oct 26, 2009 9:27 AM in response to Pondini

Just to confirm Pondini's reply, I received a new power supply under warranty and my LaCie drive now functions perfectly.

Further power supplies do not "work or not work" my own experience is proof of that. Sometimes my drive would work and then it would drop out (dismount), then if I restarted or woke up my Mac it would mount and work properly, until the next drop out.

The power supply was the culprit, despite what any expert will tell you.....ask LaCie.

(off topic: Hi Jim, I have been away in Gibraltar and Spain)

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Answer 9

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Oct 26, 2009 10:16 AM in response to Peter Bovis

Peter Bovis wrote:
. . .
(off topic: Hi Jim, I have been away in Gibraltar and Spain)

Ouch! Florida is good, but I'm jealous!

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