2TB Seagate SSD for Time Machine

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2TB Seagate SSD for Time Machine

Hello,

I have a 2TB Seagate SSD drive that I used for daily backups and Time Machine on my old MacBook Pro.

I'd like to start using it on my new machine (my god, how good are the M1 chips), but it's asking me enable a system extension in recovery mode for some reason. It uses an app called ‘Seagate Toolkit’.

Here's the modal:

Enabling a kernel extension sounds a bit much for a third party plug-in from Seagate. I'm not sure I want to do that.

I tried erasing the drive and just using it unsecured, but Disk Utility won't allow me to do it. It also says the drive is formatted as Windows NT File System (NTFS). Which I don't think it is.

So am I on a loser here? Should I just get another drive, or would installing a third-party extension be safe to use on my pristine new system?

Thanks in advance.

Will

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Nov 22, 2021 3:21 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 22, 2021 6:26 AM in response to MrMonoboy

i'm thinking that since it is showing as APFS on the old mac, i would attempt to erase the drive with the old mac before using it as a TM with the new mac.

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,559 points

Nov 22, 2021 6:18 AM in response to MrMonoboy

Post a screenshot of what Disk Utility shows about the kisk. Make sure any carat symbols on the left pane point down ⌵ and not to right >

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,559 points

Nov 22, 2021 6:42 AM in response to MrMonoboy

Do you have access to a Windows machine? If so try reformatting it on that machine.

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Answer 4

Nov 22, 2021 5:48 AM in response to MrMonoboy

MrMonoboy wrote:

Enabling a kernel extension sounds a bit much for a third party plug-in from Seagate. I'm not sure I want to do that.

external drives work best with your mac without any software provided by the drive's manufacturer.

I tried erasing the drive and just using it unsecured, but Disk Utility won't allow me to do it.

what happens when you try? can you provide a screenshot?

It also says the drive is formatted as Windows NT File System (NTFS). Which I don't think it is.

if ** says it is using a windows format, it is. that is likely a consequence of using seagate's software.

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,559 points

Nov 22, 2021 12:33 PM in response to MrMonoboy

Another thing I thought of is does Seagate provide and formatting tools in their Tools? If so try that on the PC too.

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Answer 6

MrMonoboy Author

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Nov 22, 2021 6:22 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

Thanks for the reply, Jeffery.

Here's the error I get on ** (new mac) when trying to reformat the disk to Mac Os Journalled.

And how it recognises the disk:

On my old mac, ** says the disk is APFS (Case-sensitive):

And the only erase options I have are as follows:

Does that shed any light? I'm thinking it's probably goosed.

Thanks,

Will

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Answer 7

MrMonoboy Author

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Nov 22, 2021 6:38 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

I tried that but it still mounts as a locked secure drive under NTFS on the new machine.

It did allow me to try and erase it with MacOC Journalled but that also failed:

I'm guessing Seagate put some sort of hidden partition on them for their software and security.

I might have to just bin it and buy something else.

Bummer.

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Answer 8

Nov 22, 2021 6:44 AM in response to MrMonoboy

i have one more question. are you trying to erase the drive at the top level of the drive?

if you are, i'm out of ideas. but don't run out and get a new drive just yet. there are many knowledgable persons here that may have some more ideas.

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Answer 9

MrMonoboy Author

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Nov 22, 2021 6:58 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

When I plug the disk in and leave it locked, ** thinks it's NFTS. When I unlock it, it believes it's APFS. (On the old mac).

So it must be using some Windows-based partition for security?

I'll see if I can erase it on a PC first before I sling it.

Thanks for your time; it's much appreciated.

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Answer 10

MrMonoboy Author

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20 points

Nov 22, 2021 9:42 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

OK. On a PC, it doesn't appear in the sidebar or ‘This PC’ as an external disk when plugged in.

I can find it through the Device Manager. At the top of the window, there was an option to reformat. It failed, with the error saying it's a locked disk.

I then tried using the Seagate tools on the disk to unlock it using my password. The Drive unlocks and disappears from the machine completely and I have no idea how to access it.

After a restart, I tried ‘uninstalling’ the device using the Device Manager again, but that did nothing.

The Windows interface is a mystery to me, so I had to give up.

I think the moral of the story is, don't use the third-party software SSDs come with.

Thanks anyway.

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Answer 11

lllaass

Level 10

210,559 points

Nov 22, 2021 10:05 AM in response to MrMonoboy

I say that a PC does not understand the APFS format and that is why it only appears in Devices. On the PC try going to Disk Management see:

https://support.purestorage.com/Solutions/Microsoft_Platform_Guide/Multipath-IO_and_Storage_Settings/View_Disk_Properties_and_LUN_Information_in_Windows

ans see what that says about partitions on the SSD. Try to remormat the disk using Disk Management. YOu may have to unlock the disk with Seagate Tools.

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