Mac doesn't recognize external HD anymore. Any help is appreciated.

Question

Mac doesn't recognize external HD anymore. Any help is appreciated.

Hi Everyone. Suddenly, my MAC mini doesn't recognize my external hard drive any more. It was fine for years and today it's not "there".

I tried connecting with different fire wire cables and still, same problem.

I also tried connecting the external HD to my iMac and still, doesn't recognize it.

I tried restarting many times, still, same problem.

I tried disconnecting all cables and power cords, reconnecting them and powering on, and that didn't resolve it.

I have been searching the web all morning for ideas and can't seem to find a solution.

The external HD is a Maxtor III 300 GB. Older one but was big enough for my needs.

I was reading that sometimes doing a software update might cause an issue with external HDs. I just don't know how to resolve that if it is.

This hard drive is formatted for the Mac.

According to Maxtor I do not need to update my drivers. I was thinking that maybe one got lost.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Christine

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on May 5, 2010 10:05 AM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

726,845 points

May 5, 2010 10:09 AM in response to ChristineKrebs

Open the Disk Utility in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder, and if the drive shows up there, run the Repair Disk command on it.

(51620)

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Answer 2

May 5, 2010 10:32 AM in response to Niel

The disc isn't showing up there. I just see the Mac HD.

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Answer 3

May 5, 2010 10:34 AM in response to ChristineKrebs

I meant to say that the external HD isn't showing up. Sorry if I worded the previous post incorrectly.

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Answer 4

May 5, 2010 11:24 AM in response to ChristineKrebs

I just tried the HD with the printer connection cord and it doesn't see that either. When I plug that cord back into the printer it sees the printer just fine.

I am wondering if there is any way to recover my files... )-:

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Answer 5

May 5, 2010 11:34 AM in response to ChristineKrebs

I just connected the HD to my PC and I didn't see it there... not sure if I should be looking for the disc it came with or what...

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Answer 6

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

May 5, 2010 11:35 AM in response to ChristineKrebs

If only the mini couldn't read it, that would lead down one path. However, if both the mini and the iMac can't read it, that sort of points to an issue with the drive. Do you hear the drive power up? If you have an external power supply have you tried that or do you use that with it?

It's possible that the hard drive is in fine condition, and it's the case electronics that are acting up. You should be able to pull the hard drive out of the Maxtor case and put it into another external case, to read the hard drive, assuming the drive itself is OK.

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Answer 7

May 5, 2010 11:38 AM in response to BGreg

Yeah, the external drive is up and on. It lights up and I can hear some noise from it.

Do you know of any way I could retrieve the files prior to purchasing a new case?

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Answer 8

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

May 5, 2010 2:29 PM in response to ChristineKrebs

Do you know of any way I could retrieve the files prior to purchasing a new case?

The difficulty is if the electronics are bad, there's no way to get to the data that's on the hard drive.

If the drive has a USB connection, did you try that too? Both on the mini and iMac?

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Answer 9

May 5, 2010 3:22 PM in response to BGreg

I just connected the external HD to the iMac USB port and it is not being read. I also hear a very quiet "ticking" noise from the external HD. I was going to get an enclosure tonight, but with the ticking noise noticed now, I am wondering if I would be wasting my time. What do you think?

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Answer 10

May 5, 2010 4:04 PM in response to ChristineKrebs

The ticking is most likely suggesting a HD failure. I am going to put it in the freezer and then plug it back in. I heard this works. at least for a few minutes, long enough to recover the data...

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Answer 11

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

May 5, 2010 4:18 PM in response to ChristineKrebs

I also hear a very quiet "ticking" noise from the external HD. I was going to get an enclosure tonight, but with the ticking noise noticed now, I am wondering if I would be wasting my time. What do you think?

Unfortunately, a constant ticking noise is an indication of a failing/failed drive.

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