Time Machine disk not mounting

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Level 1

87 points

Time Machine disk not mounting

I have an external HD with Time Machine running. My computer is going to the shop later today. All of a sudden, my little external HD didn't want to mount (and it's only 8 months old). I used Disk Utility and got it to mount, but it said it couldn't repair it. It said I should backup what I could and erase the drive. However, since Disk Utility hung while trying to finish, I decided to try it again on another Mac. This time it ran through the repair and said the disk is fine. It finished off with this statement: "Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required."

So here's my dilemma:

I'd rather NOT erase this drive, since it's got my Time Machine backup on it. On the other hand, if it is failing, I'd like to know why and take action before it causes a problem (i.e. warranty and the ability to get back up quickly when my Mac comes back). I do have other backups, but none as handy as this one.

If you have experienced this, I'd like to hear from you. And, if there is already a thread about this, I couldn't find it.

Thanks very much!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Sep 19, 2012 9:36 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 2, 2014 11:50 AM in response to Linc Davis

I have a 2TB WD Western Digital portable external hard drive partitioned into two drives, one for storage and the other for Time Machine. For some reason my Time Machine drive wasn't mounting. I could not verify, repair, or even eject the HD at all for that matter. The Storage partition was working fine so I know that this is a software issue. I did what Linc Davis recommended and booted up into Recovery Mode and tried to verify and repair using the Disk Utility there with no luck. However I was able to mount the drive using the blue "Mount" button in Disk Utility and then I restarted the computer. Then my Time Machine partition was there and I was able to verify it and it has no problems. I then even performed a back up with no issues.

So this is in fact a software problem. The only thing that has changed for me is that I have just cloned my start up drive and put in a new SSD. Also I had to unplug my MacBook Pro battery to reset the SMC (even the keyboard was not working) due to the bug where your computer turns off and dies because of Lightning strike (plugging in a Lightning cable). Which would also be a software bug. That post is here... My Mac randomly just turned off and now it wont turn back on, the charger light is faintly flashing green and amber?!?!

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Answer 2

Dec 25, 2014 12:13 AM in response to Linc Davis

any chance of throwing your 2 cents on my problem here Total HD crash - how to get the files I've noticed on the forums that a lot of people are experiencing problems with HD's mounting... but not as freaky or grave as mine...

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Sep 19, 2012 11:12 AM in response to Larry Israel

You should immediately make another complete backup to a different drive. You need at least two backups anyway, and that will serve as a test of the MBP.

Also, if you're connecting the drive through a hub, use a built-in port.

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Answer 4

Larry Israel Author

Level 1

87 points

Sep 19, 2012 12:50 PM in response to Linc Davis

I have 4 backups of this info. Obviously, the Time Machine backup is the easiest to use once my machine comes back from the shop.

The external drive is connected to the Mac directly via the USB port.

I didn't understand this statement "...and that will serve as a test of the MBP." Earlier today I did make another backup off of the external drive, with no obvious issues. Is this what you mean?

Finally, are you saying I should erase the external?

Thank you!

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Answer 5

Larry Israel Author

Level 1

87 points

Dec 10, 2012 11:01 AM in response to Linc Davis

This problem has not reoccured so I want to finish this up:

I did run disk repair again, several times. I did not get the same messages again. So, I'm not sure what was up, but I've been using the disk without trouble for the last few months.

Thanks for all the good advice!

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Sep 19, 2012 1:42 PM in response to Larry Israel

Boot into Recovery, launch Disk Utility, and try Repair Disk on the external drive again.

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