Can't get external hard drive recognized

Joined
Sep 6, 2008
Messages
869
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Your Mac's Specs
13" MBP - 2.7 Ghz, Intel Core i7, 8GB RAM.
I've had a 1TB external drive working wonderfully as a Time Machine backup for the last month. It had been unplugged for the last couple days, but I plugged it in today to do a back-up. Unfortunately, it wasn't recognized. It stills lights up and makes noises, but no matter which USB port I put I use or how many times I restart, my MacBook won't recognize it.
 
OP
R
Joined
Sep 6, 2008
Messages
869
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Your Mac's Specs
13" MBP - 2.7 Ghz, Intel Core i7, 8GB RAM.
Nevermind, it was just recognized after 20 minutes of nothing. Is this bad?
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
It should have taken no more than around 20 seconds for that drive to be recognized. Keep your eye on it very closely as that might indicate the drive is about to fail. You didn't mention the make of the drive, but it might be a good idea to do some on line searches to see there have been reported problems with particular model.

Regards.
 
Joined
Nov 28, 2007
Messages
25,564
Reaction score
486
Points
83
Location
Blue Mountains NSW Australia
Your Mac's Specs
Silver M1 iMac 512/16/8/8 macOS 11.6
And when connected run Disk Utility Verify Disk over it and see what is reported. It may well be on the way out. Alas even drives fresh out of the box fail at times.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top