Endless external HD problems

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Hi guys, I wonder if anyone can help me...

I have a 1.2GHz G4 iBook, running Tiger 10.4.11 and have a number of external HDs that have stopped working for some reason.

While two are portable, the third has only ever been my desktop back-up, yet it too now refuses to mount.

All three still light up and spin up, but I cannot get them to mount on my Mac, nor show up on my old XP PC.

The drives in question all use FireWire400, with the desktop drive also USB-capable (this is the one I have tried on the PC) but I cannot get them to mount at all. I am able to piggyback a working FW400 drive through the 'dead' drives, so where do I go next, as a lot of work data, iTunes libraries etc are locked just out of my reach.

I get these messages when I use Disk Utility - though this is for my desktop HD, I get the same for the other two drives as well:

Verifying volume “MAXTOR 150 GB”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid node structure_
The volume MAXTOR 150 GB needs to be repaired.

Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit

1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair


Verify and Repair disk “MAXTOR 150 GB”
Checking HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Invalid node structure_
Volume check failed.

Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit

1 HFS volume checked
1 volume could not be repaired because of an error


It seems like it should be possible to recover these drives, as they DO work (or at least, the drives spin when they're plugged in) but I have used my limited Mac knowledge and come up short so far.

I need a genius to help lead me through this...

Any ideas??
 
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You should start by running disc utility from your install dvd, and fixing the HD. If you can't you need to run fsck -fy, either of which should fix the "failure on exit" error, and may well get you back to being able to read the external drives. Also try a hardware test.
If that fails, I think your HD is dying or dead.
 
OP
T
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OP
T
Joined
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thanks for the install from disk tip... I will give it a shot... I can't believe that these things are lasting a little over 12 months, despite being well looked-after and not being subjected to any knocks or bumps...

will let you know how it goes...
 

dtravis7


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fsck -fy ???

That command is run from the Terminal. You have to also point it at the drive you want to test/repair.

In the past I have had quite a few issues with some Maxtor hard drives. I know that Maxtor got bought out but I still get a bit scared to purchase a Maxtor drive. Try what has been suggested and let us know what happens.
 
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20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.
Use search to find out how to run fsck, or PM me.
 

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