I need to locate my external hard drive

For days I have been trying to find my external hard drive on my new mac!!!! Why is this so hard? I really need documents off of my hard drive by tonight!!!!!!!

Is it plugged in and turned on? You don't tell us anything really, so I'll start by guessing you mean you cannot see it on the Desktop. Remember we are not there and cannot read your mind so you have to describe what you are doing so we get a picture. I'd recommend starting by openign Finder - Preferences - General and ensure you have EHD checked where it indicates what you can see on your desktop.

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HT201250 Do I need to partition my external hard drive if I'm using Time Machine and other storage?

I never used Time Machine before. I was storing select files on my external hard drive as well as using my libraries (IPhoto, ITune, IMovies) directly off of the external hard drive. That hard drive is giving me problems, so I bought a new one. I want to set up Time Machine on this one, but I also want to keep my active libraries on it. Do I need to partition the external hard drive?

You can partition the new drive, just don't make one of the partitons a TimeMachine drive, save a TM for a entire drive with more space than the boot drive as it saves "states" thus requires more room than most people expect.
I highly advise one drive to one drive for backups, and not placing too many backup eggs in one vulnerable hardware basket basically.
Drives are cheap, data is not. Hardware can fail just as often as software, so you need a multiple backup and storage stragedy to protect even against theft and fire.
Most commonly used backup methods

Do I need to keep my external hard drive connected at all times for time capsule?

Do I need to keep my external hard drive connected at all times for time capsule?

Hi,
I have a similar question. I have backed up my external hard drive through my computer, onto my TC. When I go into TM, it doesn't show the external hard drive unless it is connected to the computer. Can I access the info from the external hard drive that is on the TC if I don't have the hard drive plugged in? If so, how can I do that?
Thanks,
Bernadette

I am trying to move my iphoto and itunes to an external hard drive to free up space on my macbook...i have followed the steps to the change itunes media folder location (chosen external hard drive) but my new folder is greyed out so cant continue ?help?

I need to free up space on my macbook pro as hard drive is full!! So with 20 000 photos/video clips and itunes I would like to move this to a external hard drive!
I have followed steps on apple support but when i get to the Change itunes media folder location and chosen external hard drive it will not let me access the new folder option ?? help?

errrrrrrm!
Yes external drive shows up in finder on desk top and can change to in the media folder location thing!
My external hard drive is a WD Elements. I have no idea about permissions to the external? Do i Have to format external hard drive to a mac?
I am trying to follow the steps on the apple support page to transfer files (consolidate library etc) just cant get further down steps as the new folder option is greyed out!
Thanks for you help

ITunes Media Folder won't switch location from external hard drive

So for the last few years I've had my iTunes library stored on an external hard drive (a LaCie Quadra), but I'm out of space, so I got a new one (a Lacie Rugged). However, when I go to change the iTunes Media folder location to the new iTunes folder in my Rugged, it's not switching over, and in fact what's even weirder is I've just discovered no matter where I set the iTunes Media folder location to, my iTunes library will only play from the iTunes folder in my old Quadra. I've Reset it numerous times, and even set the location to the Desktop (on which I have no music), yet it still is playing from my Quadra. It's as if it's locked onto it.
Does anyone know what's going on here and how to fix it? I should note I think I did get it to switch to my Rugged for a bit, as the first time I switched the iTunes Media to my Rugged (which at the same time my Quadra was still connected) I bought a song, which is no where to be found on my Quadra. But ever since I disconnected the Quadra, this problem started. Also, to transfer my files from my Quadra to the Rugged, I connected the Quadra via Firewire 800 and the Rugged via USB, and I intend to use Firewire with my Rugged from now on. Could that affect what's going wrong here? And FYI, every time I've connected to the Rugged, it does go through the Consolidate Files process, but that hasn't done anything.
Thanks

Do you only have media on the external (which by the way is not a "library" because it is lacking many parts of a complete library), or do you have a complete iTunes folder with library files and support folders (a true library)?
If only media and you have both drives connected you need consolidate/organize media from one drive to the other. iTunes 12 for Mac: Change where your iTunes files are stored - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH19507 - more information at: https://discussions.apple.com/message/22026652#22026652 - and steps 5-8 in https://discussions.apple.com/message/24491967#24491967
If you have your entire library on the external drive, copy the iTunes folder from one drive to the other. Start iTunes while holding down the option/alt key and select the relocated iTunes folder on the new drive.

Can't change itunes library location to external hard drive

I did have my itunes library location set to an external disk (my time capsule) and this worked great with my macbook pro. However, the macbook pro "died" last week and now I'm trying to set my new replacement imac itunes library to also be the external hard drive.
The advance tab on itunes preferences indicates that library location is set as requested however, I can't see any of my music in my itunes window.
I could of course just copy my music on to my new computer but that'll take ages and I'd rather keep it on the time capsule.
Many thanks
Anna

So the additional step need to do was make sure the copy files to itunes media folder is unchecked and the go to itunes>files>add to library then select my itunes music folder in my itunes location on the time capsule. Done!
Answer was found here http://www.macworld.com/article/46248/2005/08/shiftitunes.html

Do I need to have an external hard drive that has a certain spindle speed, like 7200?

In the past, when I did audio or video editing, the specs on the software required a certain rotational speed if I were using an external hard drive. Most of the time it was 7200. Do I need to use a specific spindle rotational speed for Final Cut Pro, or will drive 5400 or above do fine?

That still applies today as well. Helps to also use faster connection ports like Firewire 400 or 800, USB 3.0, or Thunderbolt rather than USB 2.0.

Need to find my external hard drive folder

I have a Passport as an external hard drive and when I plug it into the USB drive I cannot locate it on my computer.

Do you have the External Devices checked in "Finder Preferences"? You can open by selecting the menu item (while in the Finder) "Finder > Preferences"
x`

I need to buy an external hard drive for my MacBook Air as it is almost full. Which one should I buy?

Do I need to buy an Apple external Hard Drive for my MacBook Air?

There is no such thing as an Apple hard drive, ...Apples doesnt make same.
avoid western digital if possible.
Yes, having an external HD is necessary for data backups and keeping large media files for packing around etc.
you need data redundancy.
best options for the price, and high quality HD:
Quality 1TB drives are $50 per TB on 3.5" or $65 per TB on 2.5"
Perfect 1TB for $68
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Portable-Hard-Drive/dp/B005J7YA3W/ref=sr_1_ 1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379452568&sr=8-1&keywords=1tb+toshiba
Nice 500gig for $50. ultraslim perfect for use with a notebook
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Portable-External-Drive/dp/B009F1CXI2/ref=s r_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1377642728&sr=1-1&keywords=toshiba+slim+500gb
Best small HD for the money:
2.5" USB portable High quality BEST FOR THE COST, Toshiba "tiny giant" 2TB drive (have several of them, LOT of storage in a SMALL package) $117
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Connect-Portable-HDTC720XK3C1/dp/B00CGUMS48 /ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1379182740&sr=1-4&keywords=2tb+toshiba
*This one is the BEST portable external HD available that money can buy:
HGST Touro Mobile 1TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive $88
http://www.amazon.com/HGST-Mobile-Portable-External-0S03559/dp/B009GE6JI8/ref=sr _1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383238934&sr=8-1&keywords=HGST+Touro+Mobile+Pro+1TB+USB+3.0+7 2 00+RPM
Most storage experts agree on the Hitachi 2.5"
Hitachi is the winner in hard drive reliability survey:
Hitachi manufacturers the safest and most reliable hard drives, according to the Storelab study. Of the hundreds of Hitachi hard drives received, not a single one had failed due to manufacturing or design errors. Adding the highest average lifespans and the best relationship between failures and market share, Hitachi can be regarded as the winner.

HT1284 Do I need to reformat my external hard drive before I backup to it? It shows very little free space when in fact it is empty.

I am new to Imac. I want to use an external hard drive to backup to but the drive shows very little free space when in fact it is empty. Do I need to reformat it and, if so How? Thanks

What is the external disk?
Is it new? If so, maybe it has a Windows file system on it (FAT, exFAT, or NTFS). If so then reformat to "HFS+ Journaled".
What backup utility are you using? TimeMachine, Carbon Copy Cloner, SuperDuper, etc...? If the external is suppose to be bootable because you are using a cloning backup (CCC or SuperDuper), then it is also important that the disk partition table be GUID.
You can find out this information via Applications -> Utilities -> Disk Utility, select the disk (not volume on the disk) and the partition time will be shown at the botton of the window. Now Select the volume and it will tell you how the file system on the disk is formatted.
Also do you want to leave room for a recovery partition on the external disk? Then repartition it with a small (2GB) partition that can hold a bootable recovery partition that you can setup via the Apple "Recovery Disk Assistant" which can be downloaded from Apple.

Do I need to partition my external hard drive for a bootable backup

Hi - First, I apologize for asking a question that's already been discussed so much. I did try to read everything I could, but I remain confused. Here is my precise situation:
I have an iMac, and I purchased a year's worth of Carbonite's online backup and breathed a sigh of relief. Then I read some people have problems with Carbonite, and the best advice was to buy an external hard drive, which I did. It just arrived, I plugged it in, and Time Machine backed up my computer on it...so I breathed another sigh of relief.
Then I read that my wonderful new 2T external hard drive isn't good enough, that I should partition it so as to have one backup, and one "bootable backup." Is this really necessary? And what is the difference between a backup, and a bootable backup? If it is necessary, how do I do it? Is it a problem that I've already used it to create a backup on Time Machine?
I use my computer for things like email, Facebook, pictures, eBay, stuff like that. I have no unusual needs. My computer is an iMac OS X 10.6.8.
Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

I prefer a clone/bootable backup ovver Time Machine myself.
For TM you need a running OS, then time to restore, with a clone you can boot from that & keep working while doing the other when time is better. And you can test a clone before you need it.
Get carbon copy cloner to make an exact copy of your old HD to the New one...
http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
Or SuperDuper...
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/
You would need to Partition your drive though.
How to format your disks...
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/partitioning_tiger.html
(To Install OSX on an IntelMac the Drive it needs the GUID Partitioning scheme mentioned at the bottom.)
Thanks to Pondini, Formatting, Partitioning, Verifying, and Repairing Disks...
http://Pondini.org/OSX/DU.html

Time machine would back up only the first time after I shut off my imac and started it up again. Then it would fail or claim it could not locate my external Hard Drive even though it's icon was showing in the time machine dialog window.

Time machine only ever backed up the first time it runs immediately after I start up my computer after it has been shut off. All other back up attemps fail. Recently it stopped recognizing the icon for my external hard drive in the time machine dialog window where you select the hard drive to back up to, and turn on and off the time machine function. Now the external HD icon only shows up on the desk top but no longer in the dialog box. I just tried shutting the computer off and turning it on again and now the light is on, on the external hard drive but the icon does not even appear on the desk top.
The external hard drive is a 1TB Seagate. The drive still has plenty of unused capacity. I ran a diagnostic test on it. It said the disk needed repair but the repair function would not work. The message stated that it could not be unmounted and repair is not available because the disk can't be written to. The Mac OX utility said the disk can still be opened but can't be changed nor repaired. The external HD is not S.M.A.R.T. supported.
I haven't tried replacing the cable yet. Is that the next thing I should try?

What Mac OSX version are your running ("iOS" as shown in your profile cannot run on a Mac computer)?

Files cannot be located from external hard drive.

I just moved all my iTunes content to my laptop from my external hard drive (that I had been previously using with my PC), thinking it would be available on both as long as I had the Hard Drive plugged in. When I got downstairs however, I found that none of the songs could be located on the PC from the external hard drive, even though I had it plugged in. How do you solve this?

Then I tried to fix the problem by dragging my music from my external, to my iTunes but stopped it when I realised I was going to have a whole iTunes full of duplicates. (still got like 80 though )

Files Disappeared on Wall Street , Need Advice, And on External Hard Drives

My memory was low so I was in the process of archiving files when some of the folders in my Desktop documents folder disappeared. I had begun transferring files into Toast when it happened. The computer had previously been in sleep mode during the night.
When I searched for the contents using Find File. it listed them in the same place or as unavailable. I restarted, turned off extensions I didn't need, transferred some of the files still showing on my HD onto my USB JumpDrive for temp storage and rebuilt the desktop. When I ran Norton Disk Doctor, it found problems with the Catalog B-tree, which makes sense since it's the "data structure where files are stored on your disk." Norton was able to fix some of the issues, but not all, and was not able to finish scanning the disk. I ran it again, with the same results and also checked out UnErase.
When I rebooted without the Norton Disk, some of the missing files reappeared, with the exception of the folder I was trying to copy at the time. My tech repair guy says that due to corruption, I should wipe my HD to zero and reinstall everything, with additional GB hard drive space, of course. What do you guys think? Is this the best course of action? And if so, how pressing is it to do so immediately, since my computer had been running for quite some time without trouble on less than optimum memory space. Any tips on external hard drives that are compatible with the Wall Street?
I currently have 247 MB available. Luckily, I had previously made a backup of everything except my Outlook Express identity folder, for my e-mail, which is too large to back up to CD. So I'm hoping this will not crash in the interim!
Your replies are much appreciated!

Hi Leslie,
It would be helpful to know a bit more about the computer, such as the size of the drive you have and the OS you are running. I believe general guidelines are to not fill your drive to more than 90% capacity.
Norton Utilities receives some bad rap on this forum, but sometimes it's all you have (Diskwarrior and TechTool are usually recommended). With NU you particularly have to be careful to use versions that are at least the same generation as the OS you are using. I usually go with Disk First Aid as a first shot since it's made by the people who made the computer.
Assuming you're okay with the situation about the recovered files then I'd say starting with a clean drive would be good. Keep in mind though that the files will be gone for good. I don't know if you need to really zero the drive, just reinitialize ("erase") it. I'd also run some utility to check the integrity of the drive to see whether the problem was due to the drive starting to fail. You might be able to continue to work with it as-is but it would be nice to know why your drive got corrupted in the first place. At least clear up some room. You might also want to check on the fragmentation status and at least do a clean OS install just in case some of those files are on their way out too.
I don't know the Wall Street model myself, but I see it is a G3 powerbook. If it has USB or Firewire capability then I'd get an external Firewire drive (USB would be very slow but would still work). My backup procedure is to have an external HD the same size as my internal one. Then I can just drag the internal to the external once a week and let it copy overnight. That way I don't have to be bothered with copying select files and if the OS files get messed up I don't have to re-customize my preferences, control panels and extensions (I'm still an OS 9 man!)
Brian

Do I need a 250 gig external hard drive to back up my 250 gig computer?

Hi,
I was wondering If I need as big of a external hard drive as my computer to back it up. Can I chose to back up everything but applications? I also Have my itunes and iPhoto library mapped on and external hard drive. Can I Back those up too? One more thing. Can I store stuff on the same hard drive that backs my computer up if it has enough room?
Thank you,
Caleb

{quote:}You have to remember that fundamentally thats all TM really is, a backup utility.{quote}
Please don't be like someone we both know very well and telling me what I HAVE TO remember and what I DO NOT have to use etc.
Going back in the past is a feature, it's even more than a feature, it's almost the main reason to use TM imo, as otherwise there already are some other backup utilities available that work very well.
It's very fine by me how you use TM, so that you don't need a huge HD (or several) because you care only of the current state of your files.
But please, do not begin a kind of campaign that may lead Mac users in general, to more and more neglect the time part of TM, using only the backup part, until Developers more or less begin to stop developing this part as "commonly useless".
Time Machine is MORE than just another backup utility.
Please do not influence in a sense where it would become less than what it is.
Enhancements ideas already:
We need it to be able to split its folder (automatically or manually), so we can assign it several separate drives where it manages to room its thing.
Because HDs are eventually going to die, backing up on several drives (not one huge one) is a better way, but TM must be able to recover even if one of the drives is missing.
See, this kind of evolution concerning time aspects, that may be neglected if we begin to set everyone's mind to the "just another backup tool" mode?

I need to locate my external hard drive

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