Macbook Air won't recognize my hard drive!

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Macbook Air won't recognize my hard drive!

I have a MacBook Air '11 and 500 WD Hard Drive that were working just fine. And suddenly, the laptop stopped recognizing the hard drive! I can't find the device under "Finder", however I can see it under "Disk Utility." I just tried the usb ports of the laptop with a USB drive, so the ports are working. Also, I believe that the cable is working since there is a light blinking on the hard drive. I'm worried that all the files in there are lost 😟 please help!

Posted on Jul 9, 2014 2:18 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

83,101 points

Jul 9, 2014 4:53 AM in response to Yliao1240

How to format a drive, or disc for maximum portability?

may be helpful.

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Answer 2

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jul 9, 2014 5:26 AM in response to Yliao1240

There is a possibility that the enclosure has malfunctioned. Try the HDD on another Mac if available or take out the bare drive and install it in another enclosure that is known to work.

Ciao.

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Answer 3

Yliao1240 Author

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Jul 9, 2014 12:18 PM in response to a brody

Formatting the drive isn't an option since I need to keep what is inside 😟 I don't have another MAC, so I just tried it on a PC. It got the same issue. The PC would recognize that there is an external drive connected under "device", but I wouldn't be able to access the drive.

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Answer 4

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 9, 2014 12:11 PM in response to Yliao1240

How is the drive currently formatted, and are these files that are on it important?

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Answer 5

Yliao1240 Author

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Jul 9, 2014 12:22 PM in response to Csound1

I'm not sure how is the drive formatted. Where can I find that? Yes, the files are very important to me. I kept all the pictures of my family and friends in there 😟 I don't have a backup!

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Answer 6

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 9, 2014 12:25 PM in response to Yliao1240

So they are not important enough to backup? how important must things be before you protect them?

To find the format open disk utility, select the drive and read the format form the bottom panel.

You may have to reformat, and if you do what is the plan to protect your files?

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Answer 7

Yliao1240 Author

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Jul 9, 2014 12:39 PM in response to Csound1

I didn't think that this would happen, so I never bother backing it up to another drive. I regret it 😟 I don't want to format it, I don't want to lose what's inside it. I wish there were another way? Please, help me!!!

This is what I got from the disk utility -
Disk Description: WD Elements 1023 Media
Connection Bus: USB
Connection Type: External
Serial Number: 575873...
Total Capacity: 500.11 GB
Write Status: Read/Write
SMART Status: Not Supported
Partition Map Scheme: GUID Partition Table
Mount: Point: Not Mounted
Format: Mac OS Extended

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 9, 2014 12:50 PM in response to Yliao1240

OK, it's formatted for a Mac, still in Disk Utility go to the first aid tab (you may be on it already) and select Repair Disk. Let it run undisturbed. Exit everything else.

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Answer 9

Yliao1240 Author

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Jul 9, 2014 3:14 PM in response to Csound1

What is the Repair Disk, I mean, it wouldn't format the hard drive, right?
There is one thing I forgot to mention, I was deleting some stuff in the hard drive before that happened. One of the things was my MacBook Air backup, not sure if that affected it. Hope not!!!

P.S Thank you for helping me in this. I appreciate it!!!

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Answer 10

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 9, 2014 3:34 PM in response to Yliao1240

Are you still in Disk Utility?

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Answer 11

Yliao1240 Author

Level 1

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Jul 9, 2014 3:56 PM in response to Csound1

Yes, I did the "verify disk" instead of the "repair disk". Now, it's working!!! Best feeling ever 😀 I think I should go get another drive and back it up, just in case. Anyways, thanks a lot!!!

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Answer 12

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 9, 2014 4:00 PM in response to Yliao1240

🙂

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