Q: iMac doesn't recognize ext hd after software update
Yesterday received automatic update to 10.11.6 with a Seagate external HD connected for Time Machine. After update received messages that iMAC cannot recognize external hard drive since it is now READ only (or something to that effect) and Time Machine cannot backup. Changed cables connecting ext HD to MAC did not help. The Seagate ext HD powers up when connected and I can hear disc spinning but it is not recognized (Finder or Disc Utility). Seagate trouble shooting routine suggests ..."that if drive connected during operating system installation process it can sometimes cause damage to the drives partition, causing it not to be detected her to become inaccessible". They go on to suggest seeking data recovery help.
Talked to Apple support several times and they reinstalled operating system but did not help. They suggested a problem with external HD, Possibly yes BUT was it caused by the OS upgrade??
Am I totally out of luck here? have I lost all Time Machine backups??
iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)
Posted on Sep 2, 2016 4:27 PM