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1.8 PowerPC G5 won't recognize WD external HD? Help?

Hi,


I've recently upgraded from a 1.8 PowerPC G5 to a new MacBook. I want to back up all my music and photos to an external drive before migrating my information from my PowerPC to my MacBook (as I've heard sometimes it doesn't work according to plan).


I have an old WD External Hard drive (WD2500ME) 250 GB. I've used this in the past to back up my music but it has been a while. Recently I noticed that it when I plug it in to my PowerPC it doesn't appear on the desktop, or in Disk Utility?


I consulted the WD troubleshooting website, went through their protocols, and this is what they said:


'If the drive doesn't show up in Disk Utility, then the last option you have is to connect the drive to another Mac. If it works, then there's an issue with either the hardware or drivers on the primary Mac. You will then have to troubleshoot that computer and operating system. Both of these are handled by Apple.'


When I plug the WD Ext. HD into my new MacBook it appears in Disk Utility and in the Finder. I can see the files.


This is the stage I'm at now, but I'm a bit at a loss as what to do next?


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Power Mac G5 - 1.8 Ghz, 2.5 GB RAM

Posted on Jan 25, 2013 6:12 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jan 25, 2013 10:20 AM

Hi, try this...


reset FW bus, same goes for USB reset...

Reset the Firewire bus

If your Firewire or USB isn't recognizing any device. A solution which has worked for some whose hard drive became invisible in 10.4 was simply to follow these four steps to reset the Firewire/USB bus:

1. Shut the machine down.

2. UNPLUG the power lead to the computer and any firewire/USB drive.

3. leave it for 10 minutes.

4. Connect back up and reboot.

http://www.macmaps.com/firewirebug2.html

5 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jan 25, 2013 10:20 AM in response to foginwater

Hi, try this...


reset FW bus, same goes for USB reset...

Reset the Firewire bus

If your Firewire or USB isn't recognizing any device. A solution which has worked for some whose hard drive became invisible in 10.4 was simply to follow these four steps to reset the Firewire/USB bus:

1. Shut the machine down.

2. UNPLUG the power lead to the computer and any firewire/USB drive.

3. leave it for 10 minutes.

4. Connect back up and reboot.

http://www.macmaps.com/firewirebug2.html

Jan 25, 2013 10:33 PM in response to foginwater

Your new MacBook will not run PowerPC applications (those written to run on the old PowerPC G5 that you previously used) due to the lack of Rosetta in Mountain Lion.


Do you have the need to use any of these applications and if so, which ones?


Some here on this forum urge caution in using Migration Assistant from a PowerPC Mac to an Intel Mac. In my case, I only migrated my data files and reinstalled all of my Intel applications manually.


For general information about the migration, see this guide:


A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel Macs from PowerPC G3, G4, and G5 Macs

Jan 26, 2013 9:24 AM in response to foginwater

Is the drive connected via 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 4, 2013 1:59 PM in response to foginwater

Hi,


Just wanted to say thanks to all for the tips and tricks.


I fixed it eventually. The culprit was a dodgy usb cable.


*Just a note to anyone who may stumble accross this thread: DON'T just try one alternate cable, I ended up trying 4 and fortunately 1 of them worked.


again - many thanks - I know know an aweful lot about FW and USB devices. ; )


Cheers,

1.8 PowerPC G5 won't recognize WD external HD? Help?

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