Where did my external drives go?

I have 4 external hard drives plugged into my Mac and, one by one, upon restarting my computer, 3 of them got wiped. My 4th drive, which I use for TimeMachine, hasn’t been affected. The other 3 are no longer recognized by my Mac. I plug them in and it says “The disc you inserted was not readable by this computer.”
I thought it was a freak accident or glitch when the first one was unrecognizable. Then the other 2 went down. It happened each time I restarted my computer with the drives plugged in. I could easily restart my machine with 8 external hard drives plugged in when using Leopard. But with Snow Leopard it's not working.
All the content on my drives is still there, I just can't access it. Snow Leopard deleted the drive's Volume. Does anyone know how to recover/restore a Volume?
Any suggestions are much appreciated.
Thank you.
- Josh

Right now I have some data recovery software searching the drives for lost/deleted volumes. Once it's complete I'll "zap the PRAM and NVRAM," restart, and hook up the drives and see if that works.
@Dale Weisshaar, baltwo - Thanks!
@DaddyPaycheck - They're not daisy-chained. Between the 4 hard drives, they're connected to 2 USB2 hubs. After all this happened I did unplug them from the hub and connected them directly into the computer to see if they worked. Same error message occurred.

Similar Messages

Where did my hard drive space go

where did my hard drive space go. Is there a way to see where, and how, my hard drive space is being used up?

Download a utility like OmniDiskSweeper 1.8 to provide a map of how your drive space is used. Also, you should look at how much space you consume in your Home folder:
Navigate to /Users/ folder. Select your Home folder. Press COMMAND-I to open the Get Info window. This will display in the upper panel the follwing:
Drive Capacity.
Drive space Available.
Drive space Used.

Where did my External Hard Drive go?

I have a Seagate External Drive Part nNO 9Y7686 drive. I had to restart this morning and now the drive is just gone. It's not mounting and it's not in the disc utility. I've tried rebooting it and have tested the firewire connection but it's still nowhere in OSX to be found.
Help!!!
MacPro, 17" iMac, Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Thought you could use this info about getting FireWire to work!
First, you should always Repair Permissions in Disk Utility before and after any update; I would do that now. If you installed your update with FireWire plugged in, your Mac may not recognize it anymore.
Try resetting your FireWire ports by disconnecting all FW devices, shut down your Mac and unplug it from AC power (wall socket) for 30 minutes. plug it back in and try FW.
If that did'nt work, download the combo update from this site (yours may be corrupt), not Software Update, disconnect all firewire + USB devices except keyboard + mouse, Repair Permissions, re-install update, Repair Permissions again + try. Yours is the 10.4.7 Combo update. Others reading, download the Combo that applies to your system (the one I linked to is for Power Macs-search downloads above if you are using your Mac Pro).
If that still did'nt get it Zap the PRAM. While restarting Mac hold down the following key combo Command-Option-P-R. Keep holding those keys down till you hear the second start-up chime, then release.
For those of you with Macs that are not PowerBooks or iBooks, a bad internal battery can cause FireWire to not be recognized, so make sure it's good! Also, here is Apple doc.#88338 on getting FireWire to work.
Good Luck!
Cheers!
DALE

Where did my hard drive available space go?

I partitioned my hard drive to for bootcamp last week (100GB) and then decided that I didn't want it anymore, so I attempted to remove the partition. Now, whenever I start my computer it seems boot to an empty partition - I just get a black screen that tells me to insert a disk (or something of that sort). For some reason that is the default - I have to hold the "option" key to be able to boot up to my Mac side. It looks like I need to change the defaulty boot disk - I could do this on a PC, but don't know how to on a Mac.
My biggest problem, however, is that even though I got rid of the second partition, I haven't seemed to get back the 100GB. When I go into the Disk Utility it shows that I have 499.76GB Capacity, but only 359.3GB Available and 39.7GB Used. (I am assuming that Capacity = Available + Used, other at least close to) Where did the other 100GB go and how can I get it back?
Thanks in advance,
Mike

Hi entresoft,
I am not sure how to do this. I am not a very literate computer person but have a vague idea of what you are suggesting.
If I do manage to figure out how to do what you have suggested will this restore my iPhoto Library and I assume maybe other files?
Thanks!

Where did my hard drive go?

Did clean install of Lion on my laptop. There is no hard drive on my desktop, or in my finder. There is literally no disc to click on. What is up with that? I have lion 10.7.3. Please help.
Also, thought Lion did away with 'stacks'. That is on my computer too.

Go to the Finder preferences and select General and Desktop. Check off the items you want to appear in your Desktop. Stacks are still optional, but you also have iOS look alike launcher.

Where did my hard drives go in finder?

I'm new to 10.7,
Finder/desktop do not have icons for my hard drives. How do I find them and navigate the structure to find things and troubleshoot?

NVM - found answer in Google.

Fix for iPhoto lost thumbnails on an external drive

I've had a few times when iPhoto seems to have lost all my thumbnails and pictures. I finally figured out what caused it and how to solve it. I thought others might be interested.
The problem occurs because of 2 things:
1. I store my iPhoto Library on an external drive.
2. While running iPhoto, the external drive becomes disconnected by mistake (usually because I kick the power cord)
I found that the problem is that iPhoto still tries to write the library files to the same location as it used to be. In order to fix the problem, you just need to remove the files that were created accidently. Here are the steps I used for iPhoto '06 and Max OS X 10.3.9 on an eMac. I'm guessing they'll work with other versions, but have not tested them.
0. Quit iPhoto. Make sure you have a current back-up of all your files (don't you always
1. Write down the name of the drive where you store your iPhoto library on the external drive:
I'll use <drive> in the remainder of this description. Replace that text with the name you just wrote down.
2. Open the "Terminal" inside "Applications/Utilities/"
3. Type "cd /Volumes". This is where Mac connects external drives to your UNIX filesystem. "cd" means "change directory" to the "/Volumes" drive.
4. Type "ls". You should see the name of your drive there. "ls" means "list" the contents.
5. Eject the <drive> from you Mac via the Trash Can and turn it off as normal.
6. Type "ls". Normally your drive should disappear from this listing. However, you'll notice that the drive still appears there. The problem is that there are really 2 directories there, one gets over-written when you attach an external drive. But having 2 causes lots of problems.
7. With the drive off, you want to move the 2nd directory out of the way. To do this, you will need to become a root user for a moment. This is done with the "sudo" which means "switch user and do something then switch back". The first time you use it in a terminal you will be required to type the administrator password. It's a very powerful command, but keeps you from getting into the wrong mode forever.
8. Type "sudo mv '<drive>' '<drive>.wrong'". This switches users, "moves" the bad directory to another directory name (ie. rename for UNIX). Make sure to use the single quote (') in case the name of your drive has spaces in it.
This doesn't remove the bad files, just moves them out of the way. That way if this doesn't work, you can just move it back with the reverse command "sudo mv '<drive>.wrong' '<drive>'".
9. Now turn your drive back on.
10. Type "ls". Your <drive> should now re-appear in this listing.
11. Restart iPhoto. It may ask you to locate the Library again.
Please note that these instructions are only provided to help other users running into the same problem. Also, I am not responsible for any lost data by following these instructions.
Also, if anyone finds this doesn't work, or has way to improve these steps, please feel free to post a reply.
eMac Mac OS X (10.3.9) iLife 06

It would be much easier if you make frequent backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and when you have a disconnect like you did, just replace the damaged file with the backup version. It is important to have a "recent" backup so you can get back where you were. So I've created an Automator application that will copy the file to the Pictures folder, label it orange, any time you click on it. So you can backup after any import, or work on a book, slideshow,etc. You don't need to close iPhoto to do it. Just don't be writing the the database file. You can download the application at Toad's Cellar.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've written an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
G5 Dual Core 2GHz, 2G RAM, 250G HD; G4 Dual 1Ghz, 1.5G RAM, 80G HD, QT 7.1.3, Mac OS X (10.4.9) 22 LCD, 250G/200G/160G FW HDs, Canon: SD700IS/i850/LIDE 50, Epson R200, 30G iPod

External Drives are not being recognized

Why is my Brand New Macbook Pro not recognizing any external drives? Neither Flash nor external?

CClinton, thank you very much. I did as you suggested, with one day to spare! Took it to the Genius Bar, although the computer passed spec tests, the computer did present external drive issues, some sort of lag-time and he said the computer was not storing things properly. Apple replaced the computer with no problem. The replacement computer is running much better, it is almost inexplicable....but ther is a noticeable difference somehow. The computer is faster and more responsive, and the battery does not poop out as quickly.
Thanks again....
reslyn

Can't find my external drives in Lion. Where did they go in Finder when I upgraded?

Can't find my external drives in Lion. Where did they go in Finder when I upgraded?

Check the settings in the General and Sidebar tabs of the FInder's preferences.
(66775)

I have an existing mini mac and 4 tb external drive. My iTunes library exists on the external drive under /itunes... I have purchased a new mini mac and I want to leave the library where it is but move to new mini mac.. what do i need to do ?

I have an existing mini mac and 4 tb external drive.
My iTunes library exists on the external drive under /itunes...
I have purchased a new mini mac and I want to leave the library where it is on the external drive but move to new mini mac and have it show as it did on the old mini mac..
what do i need to do ?
I have found multitude of articles about moving itunes to external drive or other similar things but I don't want to move itunes from the external drive, just change mini mac machines and have everything in itunes the same..
Thanks

I had already tried that one and got this...
below is screen shot of what is on the new mac mini
and what is on the external drive now connected to the new mac mini..
There are no media files on the mac mini just the library files and on external just media files..
Do I need to copy anything over from the old mac mini ? xml files ? .. the itunes folder on old mini is about 840mb in size which looks to have artwork ect ? .. I am fairly computer literate, but this one has me stumped.. ?
thanks for help

How to point Itunes to a new location where music is stored Cannot locate music now it is on an external drive PLEASE HELP!!!!

Background Info
i have recently got rid of my Windows machine an am now using my MacBook as my main machine
On the old windows Desktop   i had my music set up as follows
Itunes libary information:
C:\Documents and settings\Lee Robinson\My Documents\My Music\
all of the Music files were stored on the PC as follows
G:\Music\My Music
Before i got rid of the machine i backed up all of my music and my iTunes libary files as follows to a External USB Harddrive that is now connected to my mac
Music Located @
/Volumes/AFRO-PORT/My Music
the iTunes Libary is located at the following
/Volumes/AFRO-PORT/My Music/iTunes
what i then did was to copy my itunes libary files at /Volumes/AFRO-PORT/My Music/iTunes to my local Mac machine .....
/Users/Afroboy/Music
Problem
Now when i fire up Itunes, i have all my playlists, ratings abum art etc...... but the problem i have is that itunes cannot locate any of the files. I guess that this is because my entire libary is still pointing to
G:\Music\My Music - as on my old windows PC
How do i tell itunes that this is no longer where i keep my music and for the actual MP3 files itself it needs to look at the following path
/Volumes/AFRO-PORT/My Music
... all file structures within these 2 file directories remain the same
I would really appreciate the heklp- my music collection is quite big and i dont want to loose any of the work i have done building it up over the past 5 years
Cheers
LR

Hi - thanks for the response
yes thats right, i have always kept my itunes folder and the directory containing all of my actual media seperate
all of the Music files were stored on the PC as follows:
G:\Music\My Music
Itunes libary information:
C:\Documents and settings\Lee Robinson\My Documents\My Music\
Your quite right, doing the above method that i have, turns it really messy when you when you try to move your entire collection. i saw this article earlier today
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
..........wish i followed it before hand
The only Semi work arond i have found is to go to File> Add libary.... and brows to what is now my new external drive with all my music on /Volumes/AFRO-PORT/My Music/ .
Once the import was complete it effectivly dupicated my entire libary - So i then went to
File > Display Duplicates to show duplicate items, sorted by date and removed all the duplicate items
.... So far seems to have worked ok however i have lost my play lists, their all on my iPod anyway so all seems fine now
As you said iTunes wants you to do thinngs in a certian way and it certianly makes you pay if you dont. So now my question is, so i dont have this problem in the future..... do i
A) Manually move all of my Music files to my iTunes Liabry and have everything in one folder (If i move manually where do i need to copy all my files to?)
B) Start from Scratch and let iTunes do it, so i have everything on the external disk

Where did this backup window come from on my desktop. I have always used time machine to backup to an external disc and within the last 2 weeks, this backup window keeps appearing. Where did it come from? Thanks for any help

where did this backup window come from on my desktop. It specifies personal data & settings and tells me when the next backup is scheduled [which I never set up]. I have always used time machine to backup to an external disc and within the last 2 weeks, this backup window keeps appearing. Where did it come from? Thanks for any help

To check your S.M.A.R.T status open disk utility and click on your drive and then click on the info icon.

"Boot OSX" drive, where did it come from?

I have an intel xserve with 1 80gb drive (for booting) and 2 750bg drives mirrored(via software) as my DATA drive.
After I initially set this up, there was one "BOOT" drive and one "DATA" drive on the desktop.
I recently logged into the server via ARD and noticed there was a third drive now, named "Boot OSX".
I, nor any of my staff, installed or created this drive(volume).
It appears to be part of the mirror raid, but where did it come from???

FWIW, I saw this shortly after installing Leopard and initially thought it was an external drive I set up as backup. It was only later that I realized that I didn't have the external drive plugged in when I saw "Boot OSX" on my desktop.
Tonight, I saw it again, googled, and found this thread. Could this have anything to do with Software Update? Software Update let me know I needed to install some updates. I clicked on details and ended up minimizing the application to install them later. After twiddling around with some other things I noticed the "Boot OSX" on my desktop, again. I went ahead and let Software Update "do it's thing" and after a reboot, like the other posters in this thread, it was gone.
So ... as I asked, earlier, could this have something to do with Software Update?

How do I get multiple folders to appear again on an external drive after I accidentally did a 'remove' from my folder list?

Help please!
I accidentally did a right click remove of my folders on an external drive. The external drive shows in my folders list, but none of the folders that are still on it.
The photos are still in the folders on the drive and in their folders. I tried an import to make the folders appear, and LR sees all the photos as existing in the catalog, so it knows about the photos. And LR does not re-import them.
Just want to have the folders show up again in my folder list on the left.
Anyone know how to fix this error I made? Thank you.

For anyone interested, I had to add a folder to my external drive, then right click it and select SHOW PARENT FOLDER. Thank you ADOBE SUPPORT, I am so relieved, feel stupid, but relieved.

I have just over 100gig of music in my iTunes library plus what ever else I add in the future. Because of the amount I had to save my music library on an external drive as my laptop did not have the memory to hold it all. I want to back up my iTunes libra

I have just over 100gig of music in my iTunes library plus what ever else I add in the future. Because of the amount I had to save my music library on an external drive as my laptop did not have the memory to hold it all. I want to back up my iTunes library and save it on a different external drive, one I store all my back ups on. Is this possible? If so how can I do it?

To import music into your iTunes library on the computer go to iTunes>Help>iTunes Help>Add items to iTunes and follow the instructions
Delete the "songs" that do not play in your iTunes library and reimport them.

Where did my external drives go?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for