OSX 10.9.5 won't recognize an external hardrive

I got a new Macbook Air running 10.9.5 that simply won't recognize my external hard drive.... I even tried formatting it with another Macbook Pro not running the latest OSX version. And another device (Smart TV) also recognizes the hard drive so I don't think that's the issue. I also opened disc utility to check whether it would be visible but it's not appearing there either...
Help please!

Thank you so much!!! This worked for me. I went file>new>library. Then I created a new project in that library, went back to the project in the old library that wouldn't export, I highlighted all of the clips in the timeline and hit cmd-c (copy), then headed back to my new project in new library and pasted the clips there. Then when I hit Share Master File it actually worked! The window popped up as usual and I was able to export. Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you!

Similar Messages

My mac won't recognize my external hardrive!!

I have a Maxtor One Touch II 300GB external hardrive with all of my pics and backups, and ever since I installed Leopard it won't recognize the drive. I've read other forums and know it's because it's password protected and Seagate or Apple has come up with a solution yet. So I did the only other thing I could...re-install Tiger with my backup disc which was 10.4.7 for my Mac mini Intel. Now it still won't recognize the drive! The software doesn't automatically startup and even after starting it manually it doesn't recognize. I'm guessing because when I re-installed Tiger and it asked me to archive the newer version it must have kept the same coding or whatever. I don't know much about coding so I'm lost there. I have my Powerbook G4 with Leopard on it, but of course it won't recognize that drive on there either. Right now I have a few options I could re-install Tiger on my powerbook and erase everything, but I can't find the install disk and I'm not sure the install disk from the Mac-mini will work because it's for the Intel processor hopefully that won't matter. Another option is to try and see if my wife's HP with Vista will recognize it, but the drive is formatted for Mac so I'm not sure if it'll work and ask for a password. I'm stuck at frustrated right now...if I could just get a computer to recognize it, take the password off... I would shell out the money to get a new drive recognizable by Leopard and transfer the data over. I DO NOT WANT TO ERASE THIS DRIVE!! I know it still works, but I can't access it. Anyone got any ideas?

Follow the instructions in the section of this FAQ which is relevant to your situation.
(21534)

New to Mac :), OSX 10.4.3 won't recognize my external hard drive!!

Please help,
I just bought a new mac (powermac g5 2ghz, 1gb ram) and i have two external hard drives plugged in and they are not showing up anywhere? Do i need a specific driver? I am downloading the update for 10.4.3 (combo) even though i already have 10.4.3 because i read this might fix it, but it seems to take forever to download, in the meantime, any advice?
Thanks in advance!
Jana

i just read this on macfixtit and reinstalled 10.4.3 using the combo update and it worked for me.
Solutions
Reverting to a previous version of Mac OS X Though it is a relatively tedious and time-consuming workaround, downgrading to an earlier version of Mac OS X (preferably Mac OS X 10.4.2) as described in our tutorial "Reverting to an earlier version of Mac OS X" is an almost fail-safe solution to this problem.
Re-applying the Mac OS X combo updater Despite a lack of success for some users with this workaround, re-applying the Mac OS X 10.4.3 combo updater continues to resolve this issue for many.

My notebook won't recognize my external hard drive

my notebook won't recognize my external hard drive. I can safely remove it, but when i look for it on my computer its not there?

Disable Time Machine from System Preferences.
Choose Select disk button, remove the old TM backup disk and add the new one.

My mac won't recognize an external monitor. The screen Goes Blue Once, then goes blue again and the second monitor just turns off. I am using an HDMI adapter to a visio TV. I also have my xbox on the tv. Can anyone Help??

My mac won't recognize an external monitor. The screen Goes Blue Once, then goes blue again and the second monitor just turns off. I am using an HDMI adapter to a visio TV. I also have my xbox on the tv. Can anyone Help??

Lol, figured out the first part. Just for those who may be searching, when you click on the Display Preferences, and click on the arraingment tab... it not only shows where your two screens will be displayed, but the WHITE BAR at the top of one screen is the dock/toolbar. Click and hold to grab this and just slide it over to the screen you'd like it to be on.
You have to release it IN the screen box, not on top of it... and it should pop right over to the new (or old) screen. At any rate, you can put the dock on either (or any) screen that you prefer.
I am thinking of ordering more of these. Lol. 3 monitor setup seems like it would be crazy good.
Still looking for the answer to keeping the new 16" screen on the right without switching between screen #s with that... not expose... Lion feature.
Thanks. Hope my other question has an answer out here.
Paul H

Computer won't recognize my external hard drive. I've tried three different drives, including Mac super drive

Computer won't recognize my external cd/dvd writer, althoughI have tried three altogether, one being the the Apple usb superdrive.

Neither hard drive is working on the mac pro. They do not appear in disk utility.
My chords seem fine. I don't have another cable to try on the Mac Pro. but both cables worked on my 2011 macbook pro with my external hard drive. my 2TB didn't work on my macbook pro however... it didn't even appear in disk utility. I wonder though if that has to do with the usb 3. I know my laptop has USB 2 and my external hard drive is USB 3 and i'm not sure if its backwards compatible.
I have tried all of the USB ports on the Mac Pro, the hard wear seems fine.
I will try resetting the SMC shortly and see if that works.

My MBP won't recognize my external hard drive

I have an external hard drive that used to work just fine on my MBP, but now it won't recognize it. When I plug it in (USB), the green light turns on the hard drive, but nothing happens on my MBP. Maybe it is recognizing but not letting me know? I did check disk utility but it's not there either.

Drives "unmounted" sometimes suffer volume structure damage or similar. Sometimes it's correctable without re-formatting the drive, but not always. Depending on whether or not it contains stuff you want to keep, I'd think you have two choices:
1. If you don't mind losing what's on it: Reformat the drive (which will erase the contents), using Disk Utility, or just accept the "initialize" option you are offered.
2. If you want to try to retain the drive's contents, you'll have to try to repair the disk by whatever means available to you. Disk Utility (which is part of the OS, so you own it already), DiskWarrior, and TechTool Pro may be able to detect the drive. If so, try to Repair Disk, Repair Volume Structure, etc. If the disk can't be recognized, you'll probably have to resort to the previous method.
But if this doesn't work, wait for more advice before doing anything rash, as others may think of things I didn't.

MacBook Air won't recognize iOmega External Hard Drive

I just bought my macbook air and I wanted to transfer my data over from my old MacBook. The MacBook died so I was using my backup. The problem is that the Air won't recognize the ext hard drive. I connected the ext hard drive to my AirPort Extreme for the migration assistant but I keep getting a connection failed message. I tried plugging in the drive to the air directly using USB but it won't recognize it at all. The drive won't mount. The drive begins spinning and the light is on so the drive does work. It always worked with my old MacBook. I did alway connect it with FireWire so could that cause a problem since I have to connect it with USB to the Air?

I had a similar issue with mine but it was because I tried to connect to an external drive that was already connected to my iMac via FW800. When I disconnected the FW cable and plugged in the USB, everything worked perfectly.

MacBook Pro won't recognize 1TB external drive

Hey team,
My mid-2010 MacBook Pro won't recognize my WD My Passport 1TB drive. I was copying files from the drive to my computer when my computer went to sleep (didn't run out of power, just went to standby mode). Turned computer back on and now it won't recognize the drive.
It is a USB 3.0 cord (computer is only USB 2.0 and the cord works with other drives) and when plugged in, the light turns on and the disk spins but isn't recognized my this or other computers (also not in Disk Utility).
Tried a handful of disk recovery programs but nothing wants to 'see' the disk plugged in.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.

yes yes yes, I warn people about WD drives on this link:
Your dead external hard drive is likely fine! Great hope for your 'faulty' external HD
theReKleiner wrote:
What now?
Only option is to buy the SAME exact HD and swap controller boards, or pay someone a LOT more $$$ to do the same thing.
its not soldered there, its just a controller/ SATA "one piece"
They do that to save 50 cents in mfg. costs.
I mention your "issue" in that link. Which is why you do NOT buy WD ext. HD.
they make the controller board and SATA card one piece.
CURRENT MFG. THAT HAVE controller board and SATA cards as one piece are : WD USB drives, and Toshiba USB Canvio
However Toshiba didnt USED to do that, but they started doing it at the end of 2013.
avoid those 2.
To avoid that nonsense, buy Hitachi drives in USB.
Or, the best option:
Save money and invest in a bare hard drive backup and redundancy plan
Its cheaper
less fuss
more reiable, removes the nasty failure point of SATA card interfaces.
takes up lot less space.
Bare hard drives and docks. The most reliable and cheapest method of hard drive data storage, archives, and redundancies
The best method for your data archives and redundancies, which is also the least expensive, the most reliable, and the most compact option is the purchase of naked hard drives and at least one USB 3.0 HD dock ($40 roughly).
While regarding Time Machine and your Macbook or desktop, your primary backup is best saved to a conventional USB (or Firewire / thunderbolt) hard drive inside an enclosure, the most important part of your data protection begins after your 1st / primary Time Machine / backup; and these are your secondary (most important) data storage devices, archives and their redundancies.
However bare hard drives and docks (below) also work perfectly as a Time Machine backup, this is for home use, since the docking station is certainly not very portable as a notebook Time Machine backup device should be; nor should bare HD be packed around with a notebook, rather remain at home or office.
Six terabytes of 2.5" HD pictured below in a very compact space.
Bare hard drives and docks have the lowest cost, the highest reliability, and take up the smallest storage space
Drawbacks:
1. Care and knowledge in general handling of naked hard drives (how not to shock a bare HD, and how to hold them properly). Not a genuine drawback.
Advantages:
1. By far the least expensive method of mass HD storage on a personal basis. Highest quality naked HD can be purchased in bulk very cheap.
2. Eliminates the horrible failure point of SATA bridges and interfaces between external drives and the computer.
3. Per square foot you can store more terabytes of data this way than any other.
4. Fast, easy, no fuss and most simplex method of data storage on hard drives.

1.8 PowerPC G5 won't recognize WD external HD? Help?

Hi,
I've recently upgraded from a 1.8 PowerPC G5 to a new MacBook. I want to back up all my music and photos to an external drive before migrating my information from my PowerPC to my MacBook (as I've heard sometimes it doesn't work according to plan).
I have an old WD External Hard drive (WD2500ME) 250 GB. I've used this in the past to back up my music but it has been a while. Recently I noticed that it when I plug it in to my PowerPC it doesn't appear on the desktop, or in Disk Utility?
I consulted the WD troubleshooting website, went through their protocols, and this is what they said:
'If the drive doesn't show up in Disk Utility, then the last option you have is to connect the drive to another Mac. If it works, then there's an issue with either the hardware or drivers on the primary Mac. You will then have to troubleshoot that computer and operating system. Both of these are handled by Apple.'
When I plug the WD Ext. HD into my new MacBook it appears in Disk Utility and in the Finder. I can see the files.
This is the stage I'm at now, but I'm a bit at a loss as what to do next?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Is the drive connected via USB or Firewire?
USB and FireWire Quick Assist
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1151?viewlocale=en_US
What to do if your computer won't recognize a FireWire device
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88338
Dealing with FireWire problems (drives not mounting, devices unrecognized, etc.)
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20041221081432908
Common fixes for USB device issues (unrecognized, etc.)
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20070824012114701
 Cheers, Tom

Time Machine won't recognize new external hard drive

I recently had a problem with My Passport and had to buy a new one. I have plugged it in and reformatted it and now Time Machine won't recognize it even though it shows on my desktop and the disk utility doesn't see any problem. Any ideas?

Disable Time Machine from System Preferences.
Choose Select disk button, remove the old TM backup disk and add the new one.

MY MAC WON'T RECOGNIZE MY EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE

Hello. I'm the main user in my mac mini so I was trying to avoid my girlfriend from using the external drive, so looking around signed with my girlfriend user, I controled click the external HD icon in the finder and click on information, then I saw an option that I thought could give me the chance to avoid her from looking around at the external drive with her user, after several times trying to do so with my name and my password (I'm supossed to be de administrator) it kept telling me that I was not a sistem administrator. the external drive kept working but I ejected it to see if what I did would work (the other user not beeing able to see into my external HD) but my surprise is that no longer my mac recognizes the external HD. Do you have any clues on what is going on? It can be somethig with the permissions because looking at it with disk utilities it says that no owner activated neither S.M.A.R.T. Can anyone help me?
thank you
Hugo

Follow the instructions in the section of this FAQ which is relevant to your situation.
(21534)

New iMac won't recognize my external monitor.

I just upgraded my workplace computer to a late-2012 iMac (with the thin edges) from the previous older model.
I have an external monitor that I use as a secondary screen - a Samsung SyncMaster BX2440 - that worked great on my older machine using the DVI adapter.
When I plug the same adapter into my newer machine, it won't recongize the external monitor.
I tried resetting the PRAM, but no dice.
Is this a Thunderbolt issue, and if so, how easy is it to resolve? Do I just need to get a newer DVI adapter?

Loner: I looked at that and it only shows the main iMac display. Doesn't show the other device.
The model I'm using is a Thunderbolt machine (has the lightning bolt arrow icon). The previous machine was a DisplayPort model.
The adapter is the Apple-issued DVI adapter, but I'm guessing that even though TB and DP use the same physical plug interface, the adapters are not compatible?
(The adapter has the standard monitor icons on it - box with vertical lines on either side).

USB won't recognize my external hard drive!!

Greetings all,
I am having trouble gettng my PB to recognize my external hard drive through the usb port. The drive is formatted for pc but supposedly this shouldn't be a problem...as per every manual I have looked at regarding this topic. I connected it to a friend's iBook today and it picked it up right away. That just makes the problem even more irritating. The usb port works fine when connecting my camera so it obviously works. I haven't tried to reformat the drive yet because, like I mentioned, it works fine on my friends iBook.
Would someone please offer some comments or suggestions on to resolve this issue?
Thanks

Hey everybody,
Check out the Bluetooth-USB-FIREWIRE-RAM discussions......look for "external USB 2.0 problem".......there are quite a number of people who are expereincing this problem which seems to be only with the newer 15" PBs.
If anyone knows how to get APPLE techies to examine this issue and let us know that they are working on the problem......please let me know.
I have had this PB for about a month or so and in addition to the external USB drive issue I have already had the logic board replaced due to a faulty lower RAM slot.
I am loving the OS and I am new to macs......but overall I am extremely dsappointed with the quality of this $3000 machine.
I hope APPLE will wake up and acknowledge these issues.
I have talked with APPLE "SERVICE" reps who were completely unaware of these recurring issues. This just boggles me considering how easy it is to open up any discussion board and notice posts highlighted in blue with large numbers following them.....implying some sort of problem and many dissatisfied customers.

OSX 10.5.8 won't recognize Canon iP2702 printer

I just used the installation disc that came with my Canon iP2702 printer to install it on my Macbook w/10.5.8.    Canon says that the printer is compatible with Leopard in all of its literature.
I installed the driver that is on the disc, with the complete installation package. I followed the installation instructions to the letter.    The printer was not listed when I tried to print a document.
Then I went on Canon's site and downloaded the latest version of the driver. I installed it, but still the printer was not listed when I tried to print.   Nor was it listed when I tried to add a printer.
I rebooted the computer after the driver installation.   Still nothing.
Am I missing something?
Any tips greatly appreciated.

Hi David,
Try this for a start...
Mac OS X: About the Reset Printing System feature ...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1341?viewlocale=en_US
10.5/10.6/10.7/10.8 instructions...
In System Preferences>Fax & Print, Right click or Control+click on the Printers list Sidebar, choose Reset Printing System.
if you hold option and click the "-" tab it resets the printing system.
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20031215144430486
Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions.
Any devices that previously appeared in your Printer List and Fax List will need to be added again after resetting the printing system.
Resetting the printing system in Mac OS X 10.5.x+++
To use the Reset Printing System feature in Mac OS X 10.5.x, follow these steps:
Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
Choose Print & Fax from the View menu.
Control-click on list of printers on the left side of the window, then choose "Reset printing system" from the contextual menu. If you don't see a list of printers, Control-click on the text "Click + to add a printer or fax" and select "Reset printing system..."
As an alternative, if you currently have one or more printers listed, you can Option-click the "-" (Remove printer) button.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1341
Reboot.

OSX 10.9.5 won't recognize an external hardrive

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