I am looking for a way to backup my iMac 24 inch, early 2009 with OS X El Capitan version 10.11.6. I previously had a My Passport for Mac, but it stopped working. I've been using the computer without backup for a few years, but I don't want to lose my photos. Is there a version of My Passport that will work with this computer?
just about any manufacturer's drives will work with a Mac. just don't use any preloaded software on the drive (or installed such software yourself) that supposedly makes the drive "Mac ready".
When you use software from just about any manufacturer for their storage device you run the risk of that same software not being compatible with macOS updates / upgrades. it can cause the software to stop working. at best this will cause you a headache. at worst it can render your data inaccessible. it is always best to use disk utility to erase and format a drive before use to remove any preloaded software.
please see Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support.
just about any manufacturer's drives will work with a Mac. just don't use any preloaded software on the drive (or installed such software yourself) that supposedly makes the drive "Mac ready".
When you use software from just about any manufacturer for their storage device you run the risk of that same software not being compatible with macOS updates / upgrades. it can cause the software to stop working. at best this will cause you a headache. at worst it can render your data inaccessible. it is always best to use disk utility to erase and format a drive before use to remove any preloaded software.
please see Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support.
apothicdark wrote:
Do you think I should just purchase a new My Passport and try to erase and format the drive?
a WD My Passport is exactly what I personally use for my TimeMachine as well. and you don't need to spend extra money on a "For Mac" HDD. because with any drive you get, you want to erase and format it before putting it into service to remove any possible software installed on any manufacturer's drive.
My Passport drives are Western Digital products.
You would have to check with them for specifics as far as any compatibility issues, but pretty much any USB 2.0 compatible drive should work fine.
You definitely need to get that machine backed up ASAP. At almost 17 years old, that machine has lived a full life and you should probably be thinking about and budgeting for a replacement.
that sounds like it comes with WD software preloaded on the drive. have you tried going into Disk Utility and erase and format the drive as explained in the link I shared?
I purchased a My Passport for Mac, and when plugged in it said it would not work with OX X El Capitan 10.11.6.
Thank you for your reply. I will contact Western Digital to see if they can help. Yes, it is an ancient machine. I do have a 2021 iMac with a My Passport external hard drive that I use for almost everything. I basically uses the other iMac to run my Hallmark Card Studio program. Is there a way to transfer all of my photos to my newer computer?
No, I already returned it! I didn't realize I should do that. Dang. I also went to Best Buy and asked them what I could use, but they were no help. Do you think I should just purchase a new My Passport and try to erase and format the drive?
My Passport compatibility for iMac 2009 El Capitan
