My external hard drive does not show up on my Mac OS X desktop. (I have Mac OS X 10.4.11 installed.) Nor does it show up in Utilites as connected to any USB port. (The system requirements are Mac OS 8.6 through OS X.10.1 or higher) It worked in Mac OS 9, when I had that operating system. I recently tested it in Windows Vista, and it works. When I plug it into the USB port in the back of my computer, a blue light comes on so it looks like it is getting enough power. Does it need a driver or is there another problem? Thankful for any suggestions.
Caisa from Pompano Beach
You need to be sure that it is formatted as a FAT32 drive and not as a NTFS. When you are in Vista right click on the drive icon and click on properties. You will see NFTS or FAT32 under file system. Your drive must be FAT32 to be recognized by a Mac. Iomega.com has a FAT32 formatting software that you can download for free on your Vista PC and re-format the drive as a FAT32 drive.
If you intend to use this hard drive in a mixed environment then I recommened that you use FAT32 as I previously suggested. MAC will not recognize NTFS as that is an exclusively PC formatting option, just as a PC will not recognize HFS (I have no idea what HHS is, either does mac.com). I run both MACS and PC's and the only mixed environment formatting option that I've used is FAT32. I run several USB external drives all formatted to FAT32 and have no issues. You do need to download a formatting program as the built in ones for PC and MAC will only format your drive into multiple small blocks. Mac forums also claims that you can format to HFS+ thru your onboard formatting tools, and says they will work on PC's.
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Actually, the drive needs to be HHS, not FAT32, and OSX 10.4.11 DOES IN FACT support external drives.installed on USB, so I really wonder............
Anyway, let's get to the solution to your problem, a drive which works and shows up everywhere except on the desktop of your MAC
I think that if your external drive has an external power option, that it will work fine, given less power than you apparently need for this drive provided by the USB port.
There should be a 12vdc input external power adaptor in the box with your drive that should solve your problem.
Odd, but I use that OSX version, and externals work just fine when powered by the 12vdc power adaptor that comes in the box according to the Verbatim site.
You're welcome and let me know how this works for you. I am very interested.
Also go into the Disk Utility that you will find in the Utilities Folder within the Applications Folder and try the various Repair and First Aid Format and Partitioning Utilities you will find there.
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Thanks for leeting me solve your problem with your mac. This solution is not going to make you happy because the version you have does not support this drive yet and would recommend you back down to where it worked for now until someone releases a driver for it at this time. *if this information helps you out please rate as Fixya or one notch below if your seeking other exppert advice, Thanks your Regards Rulds2008
Btw, I’m available to help over the phone in case u need at https://www.6ya.com/expert/edwy_1a56970cf1ea4620
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Some one needs to catch up on there mac skills.. Not all externals work on that OS X version. Well if ihad not let the cat out of the bag. Wow if it came with a adaptor it needs to use the adaptor hmmm..
There was no power adaptor in the box. Will buy one and try it out. Thanks.
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