why I cannot connect USB-C drive to mac mini 2018?

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Level 3

557 points

why I cannot connect USB-C drive to mac mini 2018?

Purchased a La Cie rugged USB-C drive from Apple to use with my Mac mini 2018 which has 4 TB3/USB-C ports. All ports work for other devices.

However, that drive does not lit (and is not seen) when connected with the USB-C cable (it's working with the other USB to USB-C cable that comes with it thouh (USB-C side being connected on the drive of course). So drive is not at fault.

Today, I brought the drive at Apple Store - they were able to connect it to a Macbook in store USB-C to USB-C. So cable is OK !!... They suggested I disconnect power cable of the Mac for 2 minutes (the usual ''b...s...t'' to save them time and add layers...), which I did as soon as I came home. To no avail.

Before I bring back ... AND the drive AND the Mini to Apple Store, just wondered if anyone here would have suggestions for such an issue ?

(Yes I treid the drive on different ports BTW...)

Posted on Oct 23, 2020 2:47 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

lanstrad1 Author

Level 3

557 points

Oct 24, 2020 7:02 AM in response to den.thed

Indeed just ran to an electronic store minutes ago to buy a USB-C cable that sits properly on the mac and now the drive works....

Hard to understand why the original worked at Apple Store. Just like some ports might be more « permissive » to badly manufactured cables....

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

90,706 points

Oct 23, 2020 9:23 PM in response to lanstrad1

lanstrad1 wrote:

I was on 2 and 4 for the displays. Tried 1 and 3. It still does not work. Based on this, that would also mean that this $85 Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport adapter they sell cannot allow to plug in both a HDMI display *and* a USB-C drive... Nice.

Yea' pretty sure that the adapter does not provide enough power for both.

What I also note - hard to tell (again) why it worked at Apple Store: that USB-C cable does not sit deep and flush in the port. None of the port. No click. There's a limit to ''how hard'' I should push (I don't have this problem with the other ports/cables/devices.

That makes sense. It does sound as if the drives USB-C plug is not fully seating in the iMac's port. Maybe compare the USB-C end up close with other USB-C cables that you have.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

90,706 points

Oct 23, 2020 4:14 PM in response to lanstrad1

The displays on the USB-C ports should be staggered on ports 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 USB-C ports. That way one display is on Bus 0 and one display is on Bus 1, then try plugging the drive into one of the empty ports next to one of the displays.

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Answer 4

lanstrad1 Author

Level 3

557 points

Oct 23, 2020 9:00 PM in response to den.thed

I was on 2 and 4 for the displays. Tried 1 and 3. It still does not work. Based on this, that would also mean that this $85 Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport adapter they sell cannot allow to plug in both a HDMI display *and* a USB-C drive... Nice.

What I also note - hard to tell (again) why it worked at Apple Store: that USB-C cable does not sit deep and flush in the port. None of the port. No click. There's a limit to ''how hard'' I should push (I don't have this problem with the other ports/cables/devices.

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