MacBook Pro 10.6.8. All software/hardware up to date. Utilizing NexStar 3 exteranl HD for music samples in Pro Tools (audio application). When I quit PT, the HD will not eject properly -- I'm getting the 'disc still in use' message when ALL applications are shut down. I've connected the HD in both the eSata ports and FW with the same results. Called NexStar tech support and they were stumped.
Help?
Thx ---
JG
ProTools-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
i was having the same problem, not sure if you all got it figured out already. my external hard drive is a clone of my internal Retina Macboo Pro hard drive. everytime i would clone, then quit the cloning application, and then try to eject the external hard drive, OS X would tell me that the drive could not be ejected because something else was using it, even though there were no applications running...only the OS. after some internet research, i discovered what the problme is....Spotlight was indexing my external hard drive and wasn't allowing me to eject it. all i did was go into my System Preferences/Spotlight/Privacy, and i added my external hard drive...i told Spotlight to ignore my external hard drive. problem fixed for me.
i was having the same problem, not sure if you all got it figured out already. my external hard drive is a clone of my internal Retina Macboo Pro hard drive. everytime i would clone, then quit the cloning application, and then try to eject the external hard drive, OS X would tell me that the drive could not be ejected because something else was using it, even though there were no applications running...only the OS. after some internet research, i discovered what the problme is....Spotlight was indexing my external hard drive and wasn't allowing me to eject it. all i did was go into my System Preferences/Spotlight/Privacy, and i added my external hard drive...i told Spotlight to ignore my external hard drive. problem fixed for me.
I've had this issue pop up several times especially when using USB thumb drives that will not eject. You get a message "Finder is currently using "xxx" drive" during this occurrence. I found the best way to get your external drive to eject during this is simply by:
Going to your Finder icon (at the dock), while holding down Option Key, do a right mouse click to select "Relaunch" from Finder pop-up menu. Make sure to not have the "External Drive" you want to remove selected on your Finder window. If it is, simply choose another folder to deselect the targeted drive.
Hope it helps those with this issue.
Thanks blue44! Disk Utility pointed out what app was actually using my drive. In my case it was QuickTime player (some background process) so I started it, closed it again, and the drive was cured! Unmounted in a second! Thank you for a clue, Disk Utility gives you a detailed message when it comes to unmounting the drive or an error with it 🙂
The Spotlight option didn't work for me as it said their is an error and I can't add it. No force quit option. And Disk Utility also said not possible while in use.
But what helped is to go to "force quit" and just restart Finder.
After that it still gave the message of being in use but now the ability of force quit appeared and I was able to force quit it.
This comes from Mac Help:
If you’re trying to eject an external disk:
Choose Apple menu > Log Out, and then log in again. Try to eject the disk again.
If you still can’t eject the disk, choose Apple menu > Shut Down. Disconnect the disk from your computer, and then start up your computer again.
The only other thing I can think of trying a 'Force Quit' on the application.
Ciao.
Thx for the reply. I've done all the usual steps you mentioned but still am unable to safely eject.
There are no open programs to 'force quit' -- they've all effectively been shut down.
There seems to be some sort of thread that is keeping the drive activated -- I am only able to shut it down by powering down the computer and then turning off the drive. This is a drag.
My other external drives eject perfectly (they are also audio drives utilized by the same audio programs).
The only other thing that comes to mind is to shut down the application via Activity Monitor but that is a rather clumsy way of dealing with this phenomenon.
I'm grasping at straws now, but perhaps a bit of FIRST AID in DISK UTILITIES?
I'm not sure I have any more arrows left in my quiver.
Ciao.
I am having the same issue as well... did you ever find a solution?
Yes and no.... Turns out that the drive was somehow initially partitioned to be both mac and windows compatible. Looks like it came that way from the factory and I didn't initialize before loading on my info. So.... I am able to use it but have to shut down every time I want to eject. Pain in the rear, but at least I know why now.
I'm having this issue after migrating to a new Mac. The issue only happens on the new one -- if I use the same drive with the old Mac, it ejects fine. On the new Mac, it happens even if no applications are open!
Just let me help you in an evil way.
1. Check for the last time if any of your apps are running.
2. If not just unplug the External HD from your mac.
The only risk is that your unsaved files will not be saved.
Thank you.
Uninstall any Nexstar software if, you have that, and reformat the drive in "Mac OS Extended (journaled)" and it will be over.
If you really want compatibility with windows, format the drive in "Exfat" which is read/write for windows and osx (and it does not have the 4GB filesize limit).
Lex
Thanks so much (Steel Dragon)! I've been driven mad by an external hard drive that wouldn't eject. I did as you suggested and now it works perfectly.
I solved the same problem in this manner. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much — problem solved for me finally (after years) with different external hard drives! ;—))
External Hard Drive not ejecting?
