Leopard cannot see the Freecom Mobile Drive pro 320 GB USB

[martijnkiev]

Bought yesterday a Freecom mobile drive pro (USB version). This external disk is pre-formatted at FAT32 and suppose to be readable by both Mac and Windows.

When i connect it to my Powerbook G4 with Leopard, the disk is invisible and dont appear in the finder. When i use the disk tool utility the disk is also not visible there.

Then when i connect the device to a XP computer, the mobile drive works ok.

Does anybody had this problem before with Mobile Drive pro or any other usb external harddisk?

 

[louishen]

Does that USB port on the Powerbook work with anything else (it may be a bad port)

I would consider firewire for connecting to that, it will be much faster

 

[martijnkiev]

Other devices works pretty well on that USB port. Tried it also thru a USB hub without good result as well.

Firewire is a great alternative, however i like to mobile pro drive because its without a power adapter and perfect for using while travelling.

It seems to me the harddisk keep on hanging on MAC OS. Is this a common problem?

 

[louishen]

My only thought is that it is not getting enough Power through that port, I would give firewire a go since that allows more power on the bus anyway

 

[martijnkiev]

you were right. Now connected the USD drive thru a external powered USB hub and it works. Guy in the shop told me the G4 has a power supply problem at Leopard to external disk. Problem solved. Thanks for your advice!