Does the computer's Disk Utility tell you anything about the external drive's formatting?
Also, with the unit plugged into the computer, regardless of messages on the desktop,
you should be able to see any or all USB items plugged in, via System Profiler.
There were some articles online in some computer sites about these newer drives with
USB 3.0 and USB2.0 compatibility; and a few different ideas or thinking about them.
Is your computer an Intel-based Mac? If so, then USB2.0 would be compatible. There
also is some software by another maker of USB 3.0/2.0 drives (download, free?) which
may help make use of these otherwise not compatible USB3.0 drives with some Macs.
And some hardware, for tower computers (PCI cards, etc) is also a topic since late '10.
From what I recall, the LaCie company had some upgrade which was reportedly useful
even in non-LaCie USB3.0 drives with Mac OS computers. However, the OS X version
required should be looked into. And Intel-Macs were supposedly the target for this.
A quick search just now, in second browser window, does not get me the web page
with information on this aspect of using USB3.0 external drives with LaCie software;
but that avenue would be worth researching further. This was to use the USB2.0
cabling, (among other options) without the extra hardware upgrade.
If the product gives you a message, as though it were unreadable as a disk drive or
even as a disc, then there may be a need for correct formatting, or drivers, or both.
There is promise of such compatibility, but it may be limited. Proceed with caution.
re: LaCie *USB3.0 Driver for Mac* {also a good search topic}
http://www.lacie.com/more/index.htm?id=10112
+This specific direction appears to indicate a compatibility with MacBook Pro & MacPro.+
There is a Verbatim 'store n go' drive implying some USB3.0 and FW800 support.
Verbatim has their own support and also web site info on software drivers, etc.
http://www.verbatim.com/home
• Is this the product you have questions about?
http://www.verbatim.com/prod/hard-drives/desktop/usb-3.0/
This unit is shipped with some kind of software installed on it, and you may need
to try & contact their Customer Support, since you may have to erase this drive
and reformat it for Mac (if Intel-based Mac, consider GUID partition map) and
the HFS+ journaled format. These would facilitate use with a Mac & boot volume.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
+{ edited 2x }+
