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User profile for user: 5c077
5c077 Author
User level: Level 1
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Can't see external USB 3 drive on desktop or in Disk Utility

Hi,

I recently bought two samsung M3 portable drives to back up my photo library.( I only have 2 gb free on my macbook and want to do a system restore to improve performance. I bought 2 drives just to be sure I don't loose any of my valuable family snaps)


When I first attached the new drive yesterday I remember looking though some of the included files but since then have not been able to see it at all. I have read the forums and nothing quite matches what I am experiencing as the drive is not visible on either the desktop or in Disk Utility. I had the thought earlier whether I might have deleted all the included stock files in an attempt to create a clean disk and wonder whether this could be the root of the problem.


I still have my second drive (which will include the stock files) in its sealed box ready to return if I can't fix this problem.


Any help will be gratefully received.


Thanks

MacBook (13-inch Late 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Apr 18, 2014 2:16 PM

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User profile for user: tug-
tug-
User level: Level 3
685 points

Posted on Apr 19, 2014 12:20 AM

did you format the new drive to mac extended (journaled)?

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User profile for user: 5c077
5c077 Author
User level: Level 1
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Apr 19, 2014 2:55 AM in response to tug-

Thanks so much for the reply.

I know this sounds ridiculous as it was only two days ago but I can't actually remember. I don't think I actually got round to reformatting as I don't remember concluding which format was going to be best for me.


For information - there is no data on this drive that I want to keep. It is straight from the supplier.


If there was a way to reset it that would ideal although if I did format to mac extended journaled what should I do next?

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User profile for user: tug-
tug-
User level: Level 3
685 points

Apr 19, 2014 3:24 AM in response to 5c077

the way i understand is that you cannot see your new drive. so please disconnect the usb then power down the mac, wait 2 mins then reconnect the usb then power the mac back up. can you now see the drive in the finder and more importantly in disc utility?


we can solve this, it wont take long. if you have the time, please post back what happens.

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User profile for user: tug-
tug-
User level: Level 3
685 points

Apr 19, 2014 7:43 AM in response to 5c077

then that drive will need to be returned, if you decide to use your other purchased drive then connect it, open disc utility, select the drive then click on erase. the drive will then be formatted in mac extended journaled.


then open time machine select the drive and thats basically it.

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User profile for user: Appleabcdefg
Appleabcdefg
User level: Level 1
14 points

May 4, 2014 8:25 AM in response to 5c077

I have something similar here: after having securely emptied the trash, the disc is not recognised anymore. Not mounted on desktop (as it did before) nor in disk utility. So I can't just reformat and continue. However, in the System Profiler, USB, the bus does recognise something from the manufacturer, even the serial#.

But I can't find the mountpoint, so no way to reformat using Terminal either.


What's next? Did I simply toast the drive just by securely empty trash? That's not very likely is it?

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Can't see external USB 3 drive on desktop or in Disk Utility

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