backup on external harddrive

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mlut


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I used to use an Hitachi external hard drive to back up my old macbook. The drive has two USB cables. My new macbook has two USB ports but they are on opposite sides on the macbook. How would I connect the hard drive, since the cords don't reach?

Thanks
 
chscag

chscag

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Use a powered USB hub instead.
 
MightyGem

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Try just one cord. I have a similar two cord drive and it works with just the power/data cord. Depends on the power output from the USB socket. It works on my MBP but not on my Mini.
 
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chas_m

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The reason the Hitachi drive has a two-headed USB cord is because it needs the extra power of the second USB cord in order to boot the machine on USB 2.0 or earlier ports. USB 3.0 drives do not have or need this. Even under USB 2.0, the drive will work normally using just the one USB plug, but as you're using this as a backup drive, and your machine doesn't have two USB ports close together, I would wipe and pass on that drive to someone who can use it, and get a USB 3.0 unit, since your new MacBook (Air, that would have been useful to mention) has USB 3.0 ports and only needs one plug.
 
RadDave

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chas_m said:
The reason the Hitachi drive has a two-headed USB cord is because it needs the extra power of the second USB cord in order to boot the machine on USB 2.0 or earlier ports. USB 3.0 drives do not have or need this. Even under USB 2.0, the drive will work normally using just the one USB plug, but as you're using this as a backup drive, and your machine doesn't have two USB ports close together, I would wipe and pass on that drive to someone who can use it, and get a USB 3.0 unit, since your new MacBook (Air, that would have been useful to mention) has USB 3.0 ports and only needs one plug.
Click to expand...

@ Mlut - I'd agree w/ the above - external USB-powered HDs are cheap; plus, I'm not sure how old the Hitachi HD may be, but possibly approaching imminent failure, i.e. after 4-5 years these drives just start to 'die' w/o warning. Dave :)
 
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mlut


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Thanks everyone. I suppose I should get a new drive, in case this just does die as it was suggested. And of course I suppose I could figure out iCioud on of these days.
 

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