fredmanwalking

Q: PowerMac G5 has problems with a 2 TB GUID partitioned drive

I have an old 1.8 GHz single processor PowerMac G5 running 10.5.8.  It's been running just fine, but recently I have had problems using a large external hard drive with it.  The external hard drive is a 2 TB drive, that is GUID partitioned and HFS+ formatted, connected using USB 2.0.  I've seperated it into several volumes, the largest being 750 GB.  I am using the drive to clone a couple other Macs, as well as clone several other disks.  I haven't had any issues using this drive connected to the other two Macs, which are both Intel Macs.  When I connect the drive to the PowerMac G5 sometimes all volumes mount, sometimes a couple volumes mount and sometimes no volumes mount.  When all volumes have mounted, I started doing a clone but the process froze part way through.  I've disabled Spotlight for these volumes on the PowerMac because the indexing process was going to take an extremely long time and is not necessary.  I stumped as to what the problem is because I haven't found any information indicating that I would have issues using a GUID partitioned drive this size with a PowerPC Mac.  However, I'm starting to believe that it's either the size, partitioning or format that is causing some kind of compatibility.  I appreciate any assistance or advice.  Thanks

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Nov 18, 2013 11:46 AM

Close

Q: PowerMac G5 has problems with a 2 TB GUID partitioned drive

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 18, 2013 3:05 PM in response to fredmanwalking
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Nov 18, 2013 3:05 PM in response to fredmanwalking

    Hello, as far as I know PPC Macs with 10.4.11 & higher can understand GUID without problems.

     

    From the sounds of it my first guess is a USB power issue on the G5, does the drive have it's own AC power, or just Bus powered?

  • by fredmanwalking,

    fredmanwalking fredmanwalking Nov 19, 2013 7:34 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 7:34 AM in response to BDAqua

    The external drive bay has an AC power adapter.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 19, 2013 11:30 AM in response to fredmanwalking
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 11:30 AM in response to fredmanwalking

    Do they show up in Disk Utility at all?

     

    If so can you Verify the Disk(s)?

  • by fredmanwalking,

    fredmanwalking fredmanwalking Nov 22, 2013 10:22 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 22, 2013 10:22 AM in response to BDAqua

    Sometimes the volumes show up in Disk Utility.  Either none, the first two or all volumes show up.  I have verified all the volumes on a different Mac and there were no issues.

  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 22, 2013 10:34 AM in response to fredmanwalking
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Nov 22, 2013 10:34 AM in response to fredmanwalking

    Hmmm,

     

    In Finder's Menu, select Go menu>Go to Folder, and go to "/volumes". (no quotes)

     

    Volumes is where an alias to your hard drive ("/" at boot) is placed at startup, and where all the "mount points" for auxiliary drives are created for you to access them. This folder is normally hidden from view.

     

    Drives with an extra 1 on the end have a side-effect of mounting a drive with the same name as the system already think exists. Try trashing the duplicates with a 1 or 2 if there are no real files in them, and reboot.

     

    If it does contain data...

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2474

  • by fredmanwalking,Solvedanswer

    fredmanwalking fredmanwalking Dec 4, 2013 5:18 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2013 5:18 PM in response to BDAqua

    Unfortunately, there aren't duplicate mount points for the volumes.

     

    I've noticed that the activity light on the enclosure is constantly on when the drive is connected.  That doesn't happen when the drive is connected to a Intel Mac.

     

    After searching elsewhere online, I was about ready to give up on this issue.  Then I decided to try a different USB cable.  That worked!  I don't know why the cable I was using worked fine with my other Macs, but I'm just happy to have it working now.

     

    Thanks for the mount point tip BDAqua.  I'll keep that under my hat for the future.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Dec 4, 2013 8:44 PM in response to fredmanwalking
    Level 10 (123,506 points)
    Dec 4, 2013 8:44 PM in response to fredmanwalking

    Great to hear you fixed it!