External HDD Problem.

Question

External HDD Problem.

I have an external usb hdd plugged in to my powerbook. I'd like to be able to get files (music movies documents,pictures) from it. The problem is all the drive is doing is making a beeping sound. I unplugged it,shut everything down,and plugged it back in using a powered usb hub. I still get the same beeping result.

Powerbook G4 15" 1.25Ghz 1.25GB DDR SDRAM, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Feb 15, 2011 10:56 AM

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Answer 1

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Feb 15, 2011 6:46 PM in response to PrincePoppyCock

If you're sure the drive is being powered by the hub, it sounds as though you have a bad drive.

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Answer 2

Feb 19, 2011 12:15 PM in response to eww

Problem solved. Drive is still good. I picked up a firewire enclosure and used that instead of the original usb enclosure.

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Answer 3

romko23

Level 2

408 points

Feb 19, 2011 1:21 PM in response to PrincePoppyCock

While Firewire is by far the best for Intel and PowerPC macs, I also use USB and have no problems doing so.. but it does require a little messing with open firmware..

It appears the Pismo does not suffer from this problem, however.

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Answer 4

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Feb 19, 2011 2:34 PM in response to PrincePoppyCock

When an external drive "goes bad," it can be either the drive itself or the electronics in the enclosure at fault. Was this a Western Digital external drive? WD's external drive enclosures and the proprietary bridge chipsets in them are real junk. The drives inside are much better than their "packaging."

Many, if not most, Powerbook-G4-and-USB-drive combinations relying on bus power don't supply enough power to the drive. The result is that the drive appears to be powered, but it can't be used. I don't think that was your problem, or not your only problem, because plugging your drive into a powered hub didn't resolve it. So I suspect the bridge chipset in your enclosure failed.

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