External hard drive causes my computer to shut down

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vwmac2004 Author

Level 1

9 points

External hard drive causes my computer to shut down

I have used this external HD since I got my computer in 2010 and all of a sudden my computer hates it. The HD connects through the usb and as soon as I plug it in my computer shuts down then restarts with a gray screen telling me it shut down because of a problem and to press a key. There is plenty of space on the backup because I clean off after I do the most recent backup. Does anyone know why this is happening??

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Mar 2, 2014 6:12 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 4, 2014 9:29 PM in response to vwmac2004

SATA card failure, see here:

Your dead external hard drive is likely fine! Great hope for your 'faulty' external HD

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Answer 2

Dbrad475

Level 1

0 points

Mar 2, 2014 7:08 PM in response to vwmac2004

Does the computer do this with other devices? It could be a short in the usb port or cable. If it works with other USB devices then it may be the hdd cable.

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Answer 3

vwmac2004 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 3, 2014 6:40 AM in response to Dbrad475

I actually have tried another usb cable but it still causes my computer to shut down and all other USB devices work with my computer fine.

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Answer 4

vwmac2004 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 3, 2014 7:00 AM in response to vwmac2004

First my computer turns off and goes black, then this window shows up...

After that this shows up after typing in my password on the log in page...

If I leave the HD plugged in after clicking either response the computer will just shut down again.

If I unplug the HD this window shows up explaining the problem...

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Answer 5

Dbrad475

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2014 8:08 PM in response to vwmac2004

It might mean the external hard drive is putting out too much power, but that may not be the case if it works with other computers. Did you see if other computers do the same thing if you have another computer to test it on? If it works with other computers it is most likley not the hard drive. If it does not work with other computers it is the hard drives fault. Also, is it bus powered or do you need to plug it in a wall?

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Answer 6

vwmac2004 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 5, 2014 1:48 PM in response to Dbrad475

Yup tried it on another computer and it shows up and works perfectly fine. And yes it is bus powered.

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Answer 7

Mar 5, 2014 1:50 PM in response to vwmac2004

1. and another USB HD does same or different?

2. diff. USB hub the same with the 'issue' HD?

3. SMC reset the Macbook.

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