External HDD disconnects from Macbook Air

Question

Hi, I have a Macbook Air that was purchased a year ago. A few weeks ago, after realizing I don&#x27;t have enough space on the hard drive for all of my files, I decided to go to Best Buy and purchase a Sea Gate Portable Slim. I transferred basically all of my files from the Macbook Air internal hard drive to the Seagate external. During a couple of the processes, specifically large folders I was transferring, I would get an error saying "The disc was not ejected properly." My Seagate was connected nice and tight via USB, so I tried to ignore it. Although the error said my HDD was disconnected, it still appeared on the Finder window, but a few seconds later, my laptop would freeze for about 20 seconds at a time. It seems long processes causes the HDD to disconnect, like searching through the whole thing, transferring large folders/files, or installing programs onto it. I tried buying an A/C powered USB hub, but that didn&#x27;t work. I contacted Seagate thinking it was a faulty HDD I bought, but turns out it was my laptop. I tried connected the HDD to my girlfriend&#x27;s Macbook Pro, that was purchased in the summer of 2011, and everything works perfectly. Installed Photoshop and a few more programs onto it.My question is, what is it about the Macbook Air that gives me this error and frustration? Is it ALL Macbook Airs, or just mine? Is it something I can fix? I really hope I don&#x27;t have to resort to buying another laptop. Any advice/help is appreciated!EDIT: I also just upgraded to Mountain Lion 10.8.3 - Doesn&#x27;t help.

Eustace Mendis · Answer

The disc was not ejected properly.This message came up because the MBA lost contact with the external drive. Almost certainly that happened because the drive needed more power from the MBA&#x27;s usb port than the port could provide. It&#x27;s a common issue. The only permanent solution is to use a powered USB hub. Powered means the hub, and all its ports get power from a wall outlet, not the MBA. Connect the hub to the MBA with a suitable usb cable, plug the hub into a wall outlet, and plug all your usb devices into the hub. Not an elagant, or a portable solution by any means, but the only one to avoid usb "power outage".Examples of powered hubs:http://usb-hub-review.toptenreviews.com

Cybro · Answer

Hi Eustace,I appreciate the reply. I already tried using a self-powered USB hub that plugs into an outlet, but unfortunately the same issue occurs. I tried the Dynex 7Port USB 2.0 Hub DX. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dynex%26%23153%3B---7-Port-USB-2.0-Hub/2087035.p?id&#x3D; 1218309072790

Eustace Mendis · Answer

That is very strange. Are there lights on the hub to indicate connections made / broken ? What do you see in System Profile for USB? This is a section of what I see:Current required is well within the limits of avaiable current. Can you see equivalent numbers for your external drive?

Cybro · Answer

Yes, it&#x27;s very strange. Also, it seems like it&#x27;s getting worse. When I have my external plugged in (via hub or not), and I open the finder window and click it on the sidebar, it doesn&#x27;t even load the contents in the drive, then in a minute or two, I get the error again. I&#x27;ve attached a photo (sorry for it being sideways!). You can see the USB hub connected to the MBA, and the external connected to the top of the hub. The hub has a plug going into the wall outlet, and there&#x27;s a green light on indicating that it&#x27;s on. You can also see (I hope) the error on the screen saying "The disc was not ejected properly." This happened during the event described in the first paragraph.Can you please explain to me how to get to the System Profile for the USB? I&#x27;m not too Mac savvy. Thanks! 🙂

Eustace Mendis · Answer

Apple Menu / About This Mac / More Info / System ReportHardware is the first group on the left. USB is the last item of that group.The hub has just one light on. I would have thought there would be at least two.

Eustace Mendis · Answer

A question about your hub. I see just one light. As I said before, I would have expected at least two lights. This is my 4 port hub. There are 3 lights on when the photo was taken - the red one at the top tells me it is connected to the computer, the other two - green - are for the two active usb devices.

Cybro · Answer

USB Hi-Speed Bus:  Host Controller Location:          Built-in USB  Host Controller Driver:          AppleUSBEHCI  PCI Device ID:          0x1c2d   PCI Revision ID:          0x0005   PCI Vendor ID:          0x8086   Bus Number:          0xfa Hub:  Product ID:          0x2513  Vendor ID:          0x0424  (SMSC)  Version:           b.b3  Speed:          Up to 480 Mb/sec  Location ID:          0xfa100000 / 3  Current Available (mA):          500  Current Required (mA):          2USB2.0 Hub:  Product ID:          0x0608  Vendor ID:          0x05e3  (Genesys Logic, Inc.)  Version:          32.98  Speed:          Up to 480 Mb/sec  Location ID:          0xfa130000 / 6  Current Available (mA):          500  Current Required (mA):          100USB2.0 Hub:  Product ID:          0x0608  Vendor ID:          0x05e3  (Genesys Logic, Inc.)  Version:          32.98  Speed:          Up to 480 Mb/sec  Location ID:          0xfa131000 / 7  Current Available (mA):          500  Current Required (mA):          100Slim BK:  Product ID:          0xa014  Vendor ID:          0x0bc2  (Seagate LLC)  Version:           1.00  Serial Number:          NA5QJMLJ  Speed:          Up to 480 Mb/sec  Manufacturer:          Seagate  Location ID:          0xfa131400 / 9  Current Available (mA):          500  Current Required (mA):          100  Capacity:          500.11 GB (500,107,861,504 bytes)  Removable Media:          Yes  Detachable Drive:          Yes  BSD Name:          disk1  Partition Map Type:          MBR (Master Boot Record)  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Not Supported  Volumes:UNTITLED:  Capacity:          500.11 GB (500,107,860,480 bytes)  Available:          445.42 GB (445,424,336,896 bytes)  Writable:          Yes  File System:          MS-DOS FAT32  BSD Name:          disk1s1  Mount Point:          /Volumes/UNTITLED  Content:          DOS_FAT_32Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad:  Product ID:          0x024c  Vendor ID:          0x05ac  (Apple Inc.)  Version:           2.09  Speed:          Up to 12 Mb/sec  Manufacturer:          Apple Inc.  Location ID:          0xfa120000 / 5  Current Available (mA):          500  Current Required (mA):          40BRCM20702 Hub:  Product ID:          0x4500  Vendor ID:          0x0a5c  (Broadcom Corp.)  Version:           1.00  Speed:          Up to 12 Mb/sec  Manufacturer:          Apple Inc.  Location ID:          0xfa110000 / 4  Current Available (mA):          500  Current Required (mA):          94Bluetooth USB Host Controller:  Product ID:          0x821f  Vendor ID:          0x05ac  (Apple Inc.)  Version:           1.00  Speed:          Up to 12 Mb/sec  Manufacturer:          Apple Inc.  Location ID:          0xfa113000 / 8  Current Available (mA):          500  Current Required (mA):          0FaceTime Camera (Built-in):  Product ID:          0x850a  Vendor ID:          0x05ac  (Apple Inc.)  Version:           6.46  Serial Number:          CCGC2G05R9DL8LFX  Speed:          Up to 480 Mb/sec  Manufacturer:          Apple Inc.  Location ID:          0xfa200000 / 2  Current Available (mA):          500  Current Required (mA):          500--Yup, my hub only has one light - which appears to turn on when it&#x27;s plugged into the wall, so I guess there&#x27;s no actual way to show that the USB devices connected to it are active or not. ***** because it was $40. 😐

Eustace Mendis · Answer

The 500 gB Seagate is connected. (One above the keyboard). It is formatted FAT-32, not Mac OS Extended, but that will not cause the problem you are reporting.I&#x27;m out of ideas. Know anyone who has a hub you can borrow?

Cybro · Answer

I was afraid you&#x27;d say that. :( no, unfortunately not. I&#x27;m scared to spend even more unnecessary money at this point as well. Anyways, I appreciate your help Eustace!

Cybro · Answer

I bought another USB hub from The Top Ten&#x27;s Hub Reviews (I bought #2, the Tripp-Lite model), and still doesn&#x27;t solve my problem. 😟I&#x27;m going to resort to just selling my Macbook Air.

Ken271 · Answer

Question... have you checked the physical port for dust and debris? there is a chance there is some metalic dust messing with the port.

Help You I Can · Answer

Check your firmware on the drive.Seagate Slim for Mac Firmware UpdateThis update is for customers using Mac OS and experiencing a disconnect error or Time Machine hangs. See instructions below for applying the update.http://www.seagate.com/support/external-hard-drives/portable-hard-drives/seagate -slim-mac/seagate-slim-mac-firmware-master-dl/

PlotinusVeritas · Answer

you have a bad SATA card in the HD enclosurecommon and typical external HD failure*** A bad sata card is NOT the HD itself but the card attached to same

PlotinusVeritas · Answer

CybroYes, it&#x27;s very strange. Also, it seems like it&#x27;s getting worse. When I have my external plugged in (via hub or not)yes.....thats why some HD "collectors" like us call it the&#x27;haunted HD syndrome&#x27;Again.   bad SATA card attached to HDyoutube search. " cracking open external HD"takes 10 minsthrow HD yanked from same into new HD enclosure$10 ebay. or $24 best buy