Can't see HD on new Airport Extreme with TimeMachine software

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201 points

Can't see HD on new Airport Extreme with TimeMachine software

Just bought a new Airport Extreme for which set up was easy -- I plugged it into my router via ethernet, ran the configuration and was good to go.

The AirPort Extreme is plugged in and appears to be set up correctly as the green light is glowing on the front and I can see it in the Airport Utility as well as surf the 'net and send and receive emails, etc.

I plugged a new 1TB FW800/USB drive into the Airport Extreme (via USB) after formating it on my MBP and verifying the two 500 GB partitions I created; one partition for the MBP and the other new Mini I just installed in my studio.

I can sign in succesfully into the Airport, but when I select the Tab for Disks, neither partitions nor the disk itself are showing up -- without which I can not designate the partitions to each Mac.

I have rebooted the AirPort and re-verified the 1TB FW800/USB drive ...

The goal is to use the Time Machine software for backing up each Mac to its respective partition wirelessly.

Any ideas?

Thank you ....

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Sep 18, 2013 6:47 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 18, 2013 7:02 PM in response to Merkaba22

I assume that the drive was formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled), also known as HFS+

The USB port on the AirPort routers is under powered compared to a USB port on a computer, so you may need to use a powered USB hub with your hard drive......even if the hard drive has its own power supply.

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Answer 2

Merkaba22 Author

Level 2

201 points

Sep 20, 2013 1:55 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Ok -- I've given up on a TimeMachine backup to a HD via USB with AIX -- nonetheless, when I plug in either of two USB drives, correctly formatted, etc., they seems to "spin up" fine, but I still see neither in Go > Connect to Server > Browse.

Further, in Airport Utility, under Disks, neither USB drive shows up ...

Are you sure that there is not enough power from the AIX for this purpose -- usually, Apple is well considered in its functionality ...?

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Answer 3

Sep 20, 2013 2:29 PM in response to Merkaba22

Everything that you are describing indicates that the drives are not receiving sufficient power from the USB port on the AirPort Extreme.

I have three hard drives here....LaCie, WD, and another LaCie. Each one of them works fine when connected directly to a Mac.

But none of the same drives will work when they are connected to the USB port on an AirPort Extreme.....unless...I use a powered USB hub.

If I use a powered USB hub, I can connect all three drives to the USB port on the AirPort Exteme simultaneously and they all work fine.

I cannot guarantee that a powered USB hub will provide you with service that you want.....but your chances will improve tremendously if you use a powered USB hub.

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Answer 4

Merkaba22 Author

Level 2

201 points

Sep 20, 2013 4:31 PM in response to Merkaba22

In trying another approach I connected via ethernet an aging MBP 15" to the AIX and set up file sharing, etc. as a server. I also have a FW drive sonnected to the 15".

I can Go > Connect to Server > Browse to see the 15" and the FW drive on the network, mount them and add/delete files to it.

Nonethelss -- I still can't get TM or AirPort Untility to see the 15" or FW drive -- what am I missing?

Thank you

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Answer 5

Sep 20, 2013 4:39 PM in response to Merkaba22

If you are sure that you formatted the drives in Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then I'm stumped...since I cannot duplicate the issue that you are reporting.

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Answer 6

Merkaba22 Author

Level 2

201 points

Sep 20, 2013 4:52 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Sure -- I am an ex-Apple Solutions Expert, etc.: all my Macs are Mac OS Extended (Journaled) by default ... I can access the 15" and its connected FW drive wirelessly from my MBP 13" or Mac Mini over ethernet via the AIX.

Puzzled too .. that's why I am posting this question:)

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Answer 7

Sep 20, 2013 5:58 PM in response to Merkaba22

TM over network to FW shared drive is an interesting work around.

There are some tricks to this kind of setup.

See http://code.stephenmorley.org/articles/time-machine-on-a-network-drive/

Make sure BTW the drive is partitioned GUID .. if it was a windows drive at some point it may still have MBR.. and that will not work... in some cases.

It is better to connect AFP than SMB.. but I presume you are doing that although you don't state it.

I would try using ethernet to do the setup as well.. not just wireless.

Wireless should be in the same vlan as the ethernet.. but I have run into troubles recently where things weren't what they appeared.

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Answer 8

Merkaba22 Author

Level 2

201 points

Sep 20, 2013 6:04 PM in response to LaPastenague

Yea, yea -- its Mac only network, etc., using AFP.

I am setting up with ethernet from the Mini; ie. Mini > AIX (to router via ethrnet) < MPB 15" & FW Drive -- all hardwire connections ...

and

Wirelessly only from MBP 13" to AIX < AIX (to router via ethrnet) < MPB 15" & FW Drive.

No go in each case ... fwiw, etc.

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Answer 9

Apr 16, 2014 12:14 PM in response to Merkaba22

I had it working for about a year. Now I can not connect to the HDs any longer. I can see both in the Same here. It worked, I can see both drives connected in the Airport Utility though. Very odd.

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