Portable drive needed compatible with Yosemite 10.10.5

[Kajaboss]

I wonder if anyone might be able to help with a dilemma I have. I am running Yosemite 10.10.5 and I need a portable backup drive that is compatible with my OS. I bought a Lacie unit last month (Cosmetically identical to one I already own) only to discover that it wasn't compatible. It would seem my OS is rather old. I don't want a a refurb' or used one, so where do I get one. Any ideas would be very welcome. It seems odd to me that older OSs would be incompatible given the nature of backup drives. They are intended to store saved data, which maybe for years!

 

[Raz0rEdge]

The first option is to try to see if you can upgrade your machine to a newer version of macOS, like El Cap or whatever is supported.

Barring that, your other option is to find an external drive that doesn't rely on any software to make it do anything special. Anytime there is software involved, it's going to be end up requiring a recent version of macOS to operate.

 

[MacInWin]

Any drive should be compatible with your operating system. Can you be more detailed about the problem with the LaCie? You should not need any special software or drivers to get a drive working with Yosemite. Just connect it and format it using Disk Utility.

 

[IWT]

I have a close family friend who is 85 years old with an Operating System that matches his age, ie Snow Leopard OK, a slight exaggeration.

I supply him with the External Hard Drives he needs for Time Machine and other backups. These Drives are all brand new and work absolutely fine. Most have been Seagate or Western Digital, but at least one was, until recently, LaCie.

Like Jake, I don't understand the problem exactly.

Ian

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Basic dumb drives will work fine, it's these newer drives that have 'smarts' in them that's the issue. There are, for example, many Samsung USB flash drives are won't work properly until you install their companion software which gives you control and "security" over the data. Unfortunately, those drives are useless with dumb devices like cars where you can't run that software. External hard drives are similar in that regard.

 

[MacInWin]

Ashwin, I've never seen one of these "smart" drives. I've seen where the vendor included some custom software to do backups, but not to just connect. I don't use Samsung for anything, and if they are now doing what you say, I am not going to start.

 

[krs]

Maybe if the OP posted the model number of the LaCie drive we could figure out what the problem is.

I have also never heard of a drive that requires a particular OS to work.

Some have special back-up and/or security software on them - I just reformat the drive to get ridof all that garbage which is usually window-centric anyway, and then use the drive.
The only thing I tend to check is if the external uses a standard USB/SATA bridge - some of the WD don't and I avoid those.

 

[Rod]

I have two LaCie drives but they are a few years old now. As with all EHD's I have bought I erase it completely using Disk Utility and format as Macintosh Extended (Journalled).
If the EHD can be seen in Disk Utility then that is what i would suggest. If not then one would have to take it back to the point of purchase. It seems EHD's are getting too smart for their own britches.
Kajaboss, did the sales person say it was compatible with macOS or did it have the macOS logo on the box (looks like the Finder icon)?

It would be a good idea to upgrade your OS if your device is up to it, that may well solve your problem and your current macOS is unsupported now, meaning it will not get security updates so you are a bit vulnerable to online malware and hacking.

 

[ferrarr]

It would be a good idea to upgrade your OS if your device is up to it, that may well solve your problem and your current macOS is unsupported now, meaning it will not get security updates so you are a bit vulnerable to online malware and hacking.

It shouldn’t be needed though.


Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

 

[AJB2020]

I wish I'd seen this before I purchased the Lacie Mobile Drive 4TB (model LRD0TU9)! My mac is only updated to Yosemite, I brought the external hard drive so that I can back it up before upgrading to a newer version, I can't seem to find wear the 'disk utility' is either??

 

[MacInWin]

Welcome to the forum. Disk Utility is in your Application folder, in the folder for Utilities.

 

[AJB2020]

Welcome to the forum. Disk Utility is in your Application folder, in the folder for Utilities.

Thank you Where can I find the Application folder?

 

[AJB2020]

Oh wait, I found it! Sorry I was looking in the system preferences rather than Finder

 

[AJB2020]

I have two LaCie drives but they are a few years old now. As with all EHD's I have bought I erase it completely using Disk Utility and format as Macintosh Extended (Journalled).
If the EHD can be seen in Disk Utility then that is what i would suggest. If not then one would have to take it back to the point of purchase. It seems EHD's are getting too smart for their own britches.
Kajaboss, did the sales person say it was compatible with macOS or did it have the macOS logo on the box (looks like the Finder icon)?

It would be a good idea to upgrade your OS if your device is up to it, that may well solve your problem and your current macOS is unsupported now, meaning it will not get security updates so you are a bit vulnerable to online malware and hacking.

Hi Rod, the Lacie mobile drive I have purchased recommends formatting it to HFS+ for Mac, is that a viable option in Disk Utilities or is it a Lacie term within their software/Toolkit?

 

[MacInWin]

The option is in Disk Utility. It's called "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)"

 

[krs]

I wish I'd seen this before I purchased the Lacie Mobile Drive 4TB (model LRD0TU9)! My mac is only updated to Yosemite, I brought the external hard drive so that I can back it up before upgrading to a newer version, I can't seem to find wear the 'disk utility' is either??

I have used Lacie externals with older macOS software - there should not be any incompatibility if you erase whatever "garbage" the manufacturer put on there and format the drive using Mac Disk Utility.
I think if Disk Utility can "see" the drive you are good to go.

 

[Slydude]

@AJB2020 If that LaCie drive is a new drive make sure that you register it in a timely manner. I bought one once and for reasons I don't remember never got around to registering the drive. A few months later the drive failed. It should have been within warranty but since more than 90 days had elapsed since purchase there was no option for replacement. This was a few years ago so that may not be the current policy.

 

[pm-r]

It should have been within warranty but since more than 90 days had elapsed since purchase there was no option for replacement.

LaCie, like most drive suppliers, will usually cover the full warranty when presented with a dated and priced sales slip.

Their Warranty Information is typical of the industry:

LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C User Manual - Warranty Information

- Patrick
======

 

[Rod]

Dear AJB2020, I hope you got your LaCie worked out. Erasing an external HD is the accepted method of changing its format. HFS+ is the filing system used by Mac Operating Systems prior to APFS adopted in macOS High Sierra. So formatting as Macintosh Extended Journalled will make it HFS+

 

[Slydude]

LaCie, like most drive suppliers, will usually cover the full warranty when presented with a dated and priced sales slip.

Their Warranty Information is typical of the industry:

LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C User Manual - Warranty Information

- Patrick
======

That's usually the case and had been my experience with them in the past. The drive was part of one of those boxes designed as a sort of personal backup / NAS. Everything I read at the time led me to believe the warranty was not valid because it hadn't been registered within 90 days.