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Mac won't recognise external hard-drive

Hi there,


I've just tried to transfer some files from my external hard-drive which I usually use with my OS 10.5, onto another PC, and was unsuccessful. Then when I plugged the hard-drive back into my mac, the device doesn't appear on screen as it usually does. I've also looked in my computer and the hard-drive isn't showing and I can't access any of the files on it. Does anyone know how I can resolve this issue please? Would really appreciate some help!


Thanks.

emac, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Aug 23, 2012 2:51 AM

Reply
13 replies

Aug 23, 2012 6:40 AM in response to arlene1

How is the HD connected - USB or Firewire?


USB and FireWire Quick Assist

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1151?viewlocale=en_US


What to do if your computer won't recognize a FireWire device

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88338


Dealing with FireWire problems (drives not mounting, devices unrecognized, etc.)

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20041221081432908


Common fixes for USB device issues (unrecognized, etc.)

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20070824012114701


 Cheers, Tom 😉

Feb 12, 2014 12:08 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

Hello Tom,


I trust you are very knowledgable and can help me. I have never had any problem accessing my files in my external hard drive. For some odd reason I can't access them anymore. The only different thin I can think of is updating my Mac to OS.


Below is a screen-shot of what comes up.

User uploaded file

I would REALLY appriciate your help/advice.


Thank you kindly,

Cristina

Feb 8, 2016 10:17 AM in response to arlene1

This issue just happened to me and it was resolved; ill explain exactly what i did:


Firstly this happened because I removed the disk without ejecting it!


secondly to make sure that the disk wasn't corrupt and still working i plugged it into my TV to test and see if it works, which it did.


Thirdly, I opened disk utility and found that it wasn't loading my disks as the External HD was still being read.


Another thing i did was open the apple menu ->about this mac -> under the overview tab click system report


I went down to USB and Noticed my HD was there being read. (Also not this was aprox. 10 minutes after keeping it plugged in)


After that iw went back to disk utility and it loaded fine and seen my disk on Desktop


So to recap, either the system report confirmation helped OR simply being Patient and allowing it to load helped...


Important thing to note tho is testing it on a TV or PS or another device to see if its read, Secondly being patient with it to read, Thirdly Never remove disk without Ejecting it properly.

Mac won't recognise external hard-drive

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