using 2.5" external hard drive with mac book pro

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Level 1

5 points

using 2.5" external hard drive with mac book pro

Hola Applonians:

I have a circa-2011 MBP 15" with a 500gb solid state HD that is reaching capacity. I am hoping that I can use the 2.5" 500gb SATA drive that I took out of this for external storage. I have the proper SATA-to-USB cable, and have a powered external USB hub. One of the two available USB ports on the laptop is connected to an external WD 1TB HD that I use for Time Machine. The other port is where I have the external USB hub plugged in (which has multiple devices connected- incl mouse, keyboard).

Here is my apparent dilemma:

Both of the external HDs are recognized when I directly into either of the USB ports on the rig. Plugging either into the powered USB hub however, does not work. (They both power up, but are not recognized by the OS).

I'm sure that this is likely a common issue with the limited USB ports on (older) MBPs, and hoping that there is a way to accommodate a TM backup and an external drive w/o having to perhaps replace all my other devices with Bluetooth or something. (The powered hub is a Belkin F5U021 if that matters at all).

Thank you in advance!

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Jul 20, 2017 10:54 AM

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Answer 1

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Jul 20, 2017 11:27 AM in response to jethro727

Given the copyright year on the thing's online manual (http://www.belkin.com/pyramid/documents/External/f5u021.pdf) and the fact it states it "should automatically install the USB hub drivers", something unheard of in modern MacOS systems, methinks the ancient hub's the culprit, though someone else might chime in differently. Ancient not implying that you swiped it from Grampa's computer stash, but that the model dates from 1998, before OS X was born, and has probably not been updated to modern specs.

I have a Late 2011 MBP and have run concurrently two external large HDDs with no issues at all. Haven't needed and thus don't own a USB hub of any vintage so can't test: all my externals from that age are Firewire and can be cascaded with no need for hubs.

Edit: just read thru the manual and came up with another thing. Be sure it is plugged to its external power brick AND the selector switch set to external power. If bus powered, then the Mac won't be able to get it and the drives up and going.

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Answer 2

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Jul 20, 2017 11:32 AM in response to jethro727

Don't use TM, prefer CCC instead, but don't see why TM would balk at accepting any sort of storage device that the OS recognizes. However, don't think you'll find many USB to FW adaptors, especially since FW has been left out in the cold after Apple orphaned it.

I added an edit to my original reply; check if that doesn't apply.

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Answer 3

kahjot

Level 4

2,463 points

Jul 20, 2017 11:49 AM in response to jethro727

Why not just get a new powered hub? USB 2 hubs are very cheap. You might also want to consider getting an enclosure like this one for the drive you want to use as an external: OWC Mercury On-The-Go Bus-Powered, Multi-Interface Enclosure Kit

You could attach it to the FW port on your MBP. It will be faster on that connection than on USB 2.

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Answer 4

jethro727 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 20, 2017 11:46 AM in response to Courcoul

Hub is plugged in to its own power supply. There are USB>FW adaptors available on Amazon. May try one of those as really what it sounds like I need here is something to free up one of my USB ports on the rig.

Also REAL curious as to how people solve this issue with the NEW MBPs scrapping the USB ports completely.

BTW-I have an external monitor hooked up to my Thunderbolt port. This particular 'vintage' machine also has known issues with the display boards, which I have struggled with personally, so I am reticent to add any adaptors to the TB port, but maybe a TB>USB hub might also be an option?

P.S. I hope to replace the whole rig in 6 mos, but new prices are silly and I don't need Wonderbar. Gotta make this current one feasible for a little longer.

Appreciated your guidance!

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Answer 5

kahjot

Level 4

2,463 points

Jul 21, 2017 8:11 AM in response to jethro727

You could consider getting a 2015 refurb, which would be a good upgrade and still give you some "legacy" ports. The current models pretty much force you to buy an expensive dock such as those from OWC and Akitio and CalDigit, or a whole bunch of adapters, or both.

I'm sticking with my flexible, upgradable 2012 gear as long as possible.

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