External drive MyBook issue

[janlewis]

I wasn't sure which section to ask this question but I have an issue with at attached external drive. A 10TB MyBook.
I can see the drive in my network but sometimes, it appears to be empty. No folders or content.
Logging in and out doesn't resolve it but restarting the mac (mini 2018) does. I can then see all the folders and content on the drive.
Also, and I'm not sure if this is related, it won't eject - ever - but says it is 'being used' when I'm fairly sure it isn't.
Any ideas please?
Many thanks
Jan

 

[Raz0rEdge]

How is the MyBook connected to the Mac? Over a network or locally through an USB connection? This determines how you'd access the data.

The bit about restarting the Mac and seeing the missing data is bit confusing.

 

[Rod]

Is this an NAS (Network Attached Storage), connected to your computer via your home WiFi network?

 

[janlewis]

Hi and thank you for your questions (sorry I was away for a few days).

The drive is connected via usb, directly to a usb port on the mac mini body.

Sorry about the restart being confusing. I'm not sure if it's relevant but I'll try and explain it again... when I restart the mac with the drive attached, I can see the folders and work on it. A few days later, I will try and copy or retrieve something from one of those folders and I don't see them. I see the drive but it appears to be empty. I can't eject the drive either. But if I restart the mac, the files and folders show on the drive.
I could do an experiment and check the drive daily or at regular intervals and see if I can determine at what point it stops showing the contents. Meanwhile, any other suggestions gratefully received.

 

[krs]

I had a situation similar to this with an external 2TB drive connected to my Mac Mini.
Using a different USB cable resolved the problem for me, something I would suggest you try.

 

[MacInWin]

You can also use something like Amphetamine to "tickle" the drive every once in a while. That is called "Drive Alive" in Amphetimine and serves to keep the drives from going to "sleep" from inactivity.

 

[rman]

I had a situation similar to this with an external 2TB drive connected to my Mac Mini.
Using a different USB cable resolved the problem for me, something I would suggest you try.

not wanting to high jack this thread. i had the same, problem and replacing the cable resolved the problems. thanks

 

[janlewis]

Ooh, nice suggestions - thank you all.