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Level 1

0 points

Lacie External Hard Drive disappeared!

Updated my G5 and iBook last night to 10.4.9. This morning noticed my Lacie HD, connected via firewire to my G5, wasn't showing on the desktop. At first I thought it might be connected to the update, so I plugged it into my old G3, running 10.4.8, but there was no sign of it there either. I have searched for it using Disk Utility, System Profiler and Tech Tool Deluxe, to no avail. The HD itself looks and sounds as though its working normally, light on, sound of spinning etc. I unplugged everything on the G5, ran repair permissions, restarted, turned off and left for 20 min, restarted and plugged the Lacie back in. Nothing. I swapped cables, no cigar, and then tested my Firewire scanner on the same ports, it showed up immediately. Lastly I plugged the Lacie into a friend's G4, who also uses Lacie HD's, again, it failed to show.
Does this mean it's definitely the Lacie that's the problem, or is there anything else I need to tinker with on the computer?
Thanks very much!

iMac G5 iSight 2.1GHz, iBook G4 1.42GHz, iMac G3 Snow 700MHz, 2x iSight Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Mar 14, 2007 4:26 PM

80 replies

Mar 26, 2007 7:16 PM in response to web-betty

Sorry...the ADC site is https://connect.apple.com/MemberSite.

PowerBook G4 PowerPC Mac OS X (10.4.9) iPod 30G, Lacie d2 Extreme (won't mount)

Redarm

Level 4

2,593 points

Mar 27, 2007 3:41 AM in response to web-betty

Yes, it should appear on your Windows PC without installing any drivers (I assume you've got 2000, XP, or Vista?)
Did you try and restart your PC with the drive attached?
There are instructions on the LaCie Disk on how to format the drive for Windows (Folder: "Storage Manuals" or similar), but it has to be visible under "Disk Management" there too. Does it show there on your PC? Have a look through your LaCie Manual.

Mar 27, 2007 9:59 AM in response to Redarm

This really ***** ... but for all of you out there who are thinking that maybe you are one of the unfortunate 000's who's external drives packed up, just about the same time apple automagically (ok so i too did click ok when asked!!) updated you to 10.4.9, fear not. I have a mac power drive (looks just like the mac mini and same size) and I too were at the end of my tether with the though that it was toast.

Fortunately its a firewire/usb drive so with osx up and saying that the device was unknown, i turned off the drive disconnected the firewire cable (ok it was a fire wire hub too so miss some devices) switched the drive type to usb and powered it back on.

A few seconds later my drives appeared on the desktop. Initial browsing seems to suggest that all is fine with the drive and its data. Started my webserver fine (which is where all this began - it's hosted on the external drive) and all looks cool. USB2/FW have to see which is better?

So, reasonable proof that its something to do with the 10.4.9 update install and not a freak EMP strike on apple customers world wide with external hard drives!!!

Personally I'm appalled that there's no evidence of apple in their own "Apple Discussions" - this is a big issue impacting a fair proportion of their customers ... a simple device at the top of the thread saying "hi guys - yes we f**ked up - we are addressing this as AFU999 - see www-apple-com/afus/999 for details - sorry for the disruption - please go to www-apple-com/sorry to claim your compensatory beer coupon".

Would apple like it to become public knowledge that "Latest Tiger Update Cripples 000's of Customer Systems", so apple if you are scanning these posts please - "Dear Steve ... sort this out PDQ ... thanks very much ... your customer base (aka your bread and butter)"!

I'll hold off on that big mac purchase for now...

rebbug

Level 1

8 points

Apr 20, 2007 5:59 PM in response to Hooligran

Similar problem here. 250GB external shows up in disk utility and system profiler, but not on G5 desktop. However, with same firewire 400 cable, hooked up 250GB to G4 laptop and all's fine; then hooked up 30GB to G5 desktop and all's fine. Therefore, 250GB external is fine (yours may not be - difference here), and G5 desktop and firewire port are fine. Problem is communication "between" 250GB external and G5 desktop. It's as if there is a corrupt driver file.

jvang

Level 1

0 points

Apr 23, 2007 12:13 AM in response to Hooligran

My goodness so much and still no solution. I'm a newcomer and was looking for an answer to why the new LaCie d2 Extreme external hard drive was not working through Firewire 400 with my G4 which has 10.4.9. I bought it last week and wrote to LaCie immediately, no reply so far. Unlike others here I find it does work with the USB cable but after reading all your problems I'm a bit loathe to start using it; at least until this blip is sorted out. With the USB cable it pops up on the screen, shows in utilities etc. With the firewire it starts up, so some recognition appears to be there, but no icon on desktop and no recognition in utilities. So is this LaCie's or Apple's responsibility and what exactly is the problem and solution.

Lacie External Hard Drive disappeared!