Segate Time Machine Backup not being recognized on new MacBook (I/0 or Disk Utility)

Question

Segate Time Machine Backup not being recognized on new MacBook (I/0 or Disk Utility)

Hi Everyone,

Due to an unfortunate car break-in, I lost my old Mid-2012 MacBook Pro.

Thankfully (or so I thought), I had insurance and a Time Machine backup on a Segate Backup Plus 1 TB external hard drive.

However, I cannot detect the hard drive in Disk Utility and/or System Profiler (bad news bears).

Strangely enough, when I connect the same drive to my work PC (Windows 7), it recognizes and shows the partitioned Segate Drive.

Would really like to retain my data and any assistance or tips will be helpful. Please see images below to further illuminate what I am seeing --

The drives bordered red are the Segate Backup Plus. When right-clicking, the only option presented is to delete the volume 😟

Best,

-Hassan

MacBook Pro, iOS 9.2

Posted on Jan 3, 2016 10:37 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Jan 3, 2016 10:47 AM in response to mofromgermantown

You said "However, I cannot detect the hard drive in Disk Utility and/or System Profiler (bad news bears).", That implies that you are connecting it to a Mac.

What model Mac?

Do other external HD work when connected to this Mac?

If yes I suspect that the HD is powered by the USB bus and the Mac is not supplying enough power.

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Answer 2

Jan 3, 2016 11:04 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks for the comment, IIIass

I am connecting to a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) using a USB port for Data and power. As a reference the LED on the Seagate drive lights up when I connect it to the new MacBook Pro and this is the same hard disk that was used on my MackBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) to perform Backups.

I do not have another drive to test with, but I did test multiple ports on the new 2015 MacBook Pro, but to no avail.

I think your suspicion holds true, though, as I connected the Seagate drive to a friends MackBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) and it was immediately recognized!

What options do I have to recover my data on the new MacBook Pro given the shortage of power being supplied?

Best,

-Hassan

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Answer 3

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Jan 3, 2016 12:04 PM in response to mofromgermantown

You may be able to do it by way of the thunderbolt port. I can not find any specs on the power output for it. Or if you have access to another mac, you might be able to use it and migration assistant. Since this is a new Macbook Pro you have 90 days free tech support and they could possibly help.

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Answer 4

Jan 3, 2016 4:40 PM in response to my ginger

Thanks for the suggestion my ginger.

Issue is that the I do not have a spare MacBook Pro. I'll try the tech support/Genius bar.

Best,

-Hassan

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Jan 4, 2016 5:49 AM in response to mofromgermantown

You can get a cable like this one to provide power from two USB ports

http://www.staples.com/StarTechcom-1-USB-Y-Male-To-Micro-B-Male-Cable-For-Extern al/product_IM1DR6211?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:IM1DR6211&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=IM1DR621 1&KPID=IM1DR6211&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4NmvBRCRp_yu2bzal4YBEiQAWfjpJvd59O7vxwGXpZBbCXd19 EcSZYzvH6bxseDLE5fAkZUaAtn_8P8HAQ&kpid=IM1DR6211&akamai-feo=off

The specific cable depends upon the type of connection on the USB drive.

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Answer 6

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Jan 4, 2016 8:39 AM in response to lllaass

I thought about a usb cable that was a Y cable aslo. But he has a 2015 MBP and the usb3 ports are on opposite sides. Could not find one that was long enough. Do You know if the thunderbolt ports on a new MBP produce enough power? Look. http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

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Answer 7

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Jan 4, 2016 8:46 AM in response to my ginger

A USB 3 port should provide enough power. The Y power conn3ctor is really for USB 1/2 ports since those provide less power.

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Answer 8

steve359

Level 6

17,187 points

Jan 4, 2016 8:55 AM in response to mofromgermantown

AC-wall powered USB hubs are not expensive. Some have "power only" ports to allow charging devices without the devices trying to connect to the system.

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Answer 9

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Jan 4, 2016 10:16 AM in response to mofromgermantown

If you have read some of the other posts, you see that The usb3 port should have the power to run the external drive. If you are using an adapter from usb2 to usb3, it could be the adapter that is the problem.

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Answer 10

Jan 23, 2016 3:58 PM in response to mofromgermantown

Interestingly, I took it to the Apple Store and discovered that it shows up on the BUS and finder if I connect the drive to a non-Retina model.

All Retina models do not give enough power to the drive as I cannot hear the disk spinning as much as I do when it is connected to a non-Retina model.

Best,

Hassan

Reply

Answer 11

steve359

Level 6

17,187 points

Jan 23, 2016 4:19 PM in response to mofromgermantown

USB ports not supplying enough power to some very-hungry drives will always be a problem for portables.

AC-powered external hubs prevent this. I only have a FW plugged directly into my MBP, and all USB go through a powered external hub.

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