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User profile for user: Baklavamos
Baklavamos Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

External Hard Drives randomly disconnecting then reconnecting... HELP!

So I'm somewhat aware of what my problem could be, but I can't find any concrete answers online.


I'm editing a feature film for a client. The film is stored on ELEVEN (yup, 11) SSD hard drives. I have 3 Belkin USB-C 4 port hubs that these drives are plugged into. The 3 hubs are plugged into my Mac Studio.


It's been a somewhat common occurrence that at the beginning of work days, I turn on my computer, connect the 3 hubs and one of those hubs will connect/disconnect/reconnect for a minute or so before I even open Premiere to start editing. After the drive connections seem stable, I start working and 95% of the time the drives stay connected without any hitches. When exporting cuts, they've ALWAYS stayed connected. Until yesterday.


When I went for my latest export yesterday, one of the hubs disconnected at around 25% export completion and the export aborted. Second attempt it made it to 75%. I've since tried several more attempts, but I still get mid-export disconnects anywhere from 20-80% export completion.


I've tried switching hubs to different ports on the computer, I've tried disconnecting and reconnecting usb cables to the hubs and drives, I've tried plugging individual drives directly into the computer to rule out any issues there. I've also disconnected my 2 auxiliary monitors (externally powered) from the computer.


My initial awareness is telling me that it's a HUB issue or a power issue? Having 11 external SSD drives being powered by 3 USBc ports seems excessive to me, but some people have told me that this Mac Studio should be able to handle it. I don't know.


What are my options here? Get multiple external powered hubs/docks to ease the power draw of the Mac studio? Break the bank and buy a RAID system? I'm desperate. Thanks in advance.


Bill :-)



Machine: Mac Studio M2 Ultra, 128 GB memory

OS: Sonoma 14.6.1

Software: Premiere Pro 24.6.1

HUB: Belkin Connect USB-C to 4-Port USB-C Hub (x3)

Hard Drives: (11 in all) Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD 4tb (x2), Sandisk Extreme SSD 4tb (x2), Samsung T7 sheild SSD 4tb (x5), Samsung T9 SSD 4tb, Samsung T5 SSD 2tb

Mac Studio, macOS 14.6

Posted on Sep 7, 2024 10:20 AM

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8 replies
User profile for user: Baklavamos
Baklavamos Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Sep 10, 2024 10:29 AM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua... Thank you very much for your quick reply and apologies for my delay.


I checked my system report hardware and yeah, I'm really pushing it. Each of the 11 hard drives require 896ma, couple that with 3-4 hard drives going into each hub, in turn going into each port on the computer.


So I see 3 alternatives (with a couple thoughts) and I'd be curious to hear your opinion:


  1. Find an AC powered USBC docking station that has at least 3 usbC ports to plug in my 3 hubs, with 11 hard drives and plug into computer. (would this overload the hub? or just too many components involved?)
  2. Replace the 3 unpowered hubs I have for 3 AC powered USB docking stations with 3-4 usbC ports each and plug the 11 hard drives into the new docking stations and then to the computer. (3 power adapters requiring outlet space while still needing 3 open ports on the computer)
  3. Find an AC powered USB3 docking station that has at least 11 usb3 ports, swap out my 11 usbC to usbC cables with usbC to USB3 and plug all 11 into the the dock and then into the computer.


I'm kinda leaning towards #3 as it seems the most sensible. I might have more speed with option 1 or 2, but they both seem like overkill and/or more expensive.


FYI, this is a project that kept growing and growing while shooting and editing. What started with 4 hard drives slowly grew to 11. If we knew the size of this thing from the beginning, the production would've invested in a RAID system... but alas, we didn't.


I look forward to your reply... thanks for your help!


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User profile for user: Baklavamos
Baklavamos Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Sep 11, 2024 6:55 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the reply.


So it seems like you're suggesting option #1, where I keep my 3 usbC hubs so I can plug them into a few of those docks. Despite have a bunch of empty ports (usb, ethernet, card readers, headphones) that I already have on my Mac Studio, I suppose this will keep the usbC speed. That's about $120-$300 extra to spend. I'll have to think about it. Thanks again for your help.

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External Hard Drives randomly disconnecting then reconnecting... HELP!

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