external hard drive question

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Hey all -

Hope all is well with everyone. By following the instructions on Apple's website, I recently moved my time machine from one external drive to a new one. It seems to be working. I then proceeded to reformat the old drive. which I also believe went well. However, when I look at the illuminated capacity gauge on my storage device the gauge never went down to represent their is nothing on it. When I look at the Istat Nano overview of the drive it still shows that something is on it. Yet when I go to finder and look at the information, it tells me that 2tb of 2tb is free. Did i do something wrong? Should I be worried? Anyone know how to correct?
Thanks in advance for all support.

Hwilensky
 
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How did you re-format the drive?
 

chscag

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Did you choose to erase the drive first before formatting? Although formatting should overwrite the previous data, it's always best to erase first.
 
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Did you choose to erase the drive first before formatting? Although formatting should overwrite the previous data, it's always best to erase first.

I am pretty sure I did. I could always do it again, as I have nothing save to it yet. I was waiting till I was sure I did everything correctly.

Hwilensky
 

chscag

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Do it again and this time use erase. Also select the secure erase feature but don't allow it do any more than one pass. Otherwise you'll be erasing the drive all night into tomorrow! :)
 
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Also make sure there's only a single partition
 
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Do it again and this time use erase. Also select the secure erase feature but don't allow it do any more than one pass. Otherwise you'll be erasing the drive all night into tomorrow! :)

Thanks for the response. Now when I go to erase, security, do I choose the fastest option or the one that is one over to the right, which says that it does a once over?

Hwilensky
 
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You can choose the fastest option
 
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You can choose the fastest option

Thanks Mr Plow. I did it and the results were mixed. While Istat nano says that I have the 2gb free. The external drive's illuminated capacity gauge still reads that it is a quarter full. Any way to fix that?

Thanks,
Hwilensky
 
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What does Finder say? Select the drive and look at the bottom of the finder window or right-click on the drive and choose Get Info


Out of interest which make and model of drive is it?
 
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What does Finder say? Select the drive and look at the bottom of the finder window or right-click on the drive and choose Get Info


Out of interest which make and model of drive is it?

It says 0 items 2TB Available. It is a WD 2tb my book for mac.

Hwilensky
 
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The capacity indicator needs the WD smartware companion software installed for it to work correctly.

I'd suggest heading to the WR support pages and make sure you have the latest firmware and software installed.

WD Support / Downloads / My Book / My Book for Mac

Mr plow -
Thank you so much for all your time and help, I appreciate it very much. It people like you that really make this board a real joy to come to for help and knowledge. Once again, thank you so much.

Hwilensky
 

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