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Question

Im having problems with a lacie 120gb external hard drive. When it powers up its making a whirring sound and although the blue power light is on the drive is not being recognized on my computer. I have some important music files on there that i need for a show in a few weeks. Any help on how to fix the drive or recover the files would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

Submitted: 20 days and 8 hours ago.
Category: Mac
Value: $14
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Computer OS: Mac OS X
Browser: Firefox

Already Tried:
Rebooting. Using different cables. Plugging into different computers

Posted by Mike 20 days and 8 hours ago.

Info Request

Hi,

Are you seeing the same result on all computers this drive plugged into?

When you say cables, do you mean Firewire/USB? Or do you also swap power adaptors?

Mike

20 days and 8 hours ago.

Reply

yeah, same result on other computers.

By cables I meant USB, I dont have any other power supplies that match the lacie one...

Posted by Mike 20 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

Ok,

Here's the deal. LaCie has had a lot of issues with power supplies. I know you said the light is on, but in reality, there is no one home. The power supply is not giving out enough juice to properly initialize the drive and run the interface.

I would say about 90-95% of the users I have sent to LaCie for new power supplies have gotten them and reported the drive started workign again.

But, let's verify some things before we go all postal on LaCie.

Plug in the Drive and then go to the Apple Menu and choose About this mac...
In here, click on the More Info button.

Look down the list on the left to the USB section. Click on that.
On the right side, with the drive connected and turned on, do you see anything listed there that references a drive or lacie?

Mike

20 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

Nope, nothing referencing the lacie in the USB device tree

Posted by Mike 20 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

That's the problem.

Ok, that means that OS X does not see the drive. No Drive, no recovery, no working with it.

So, back to LaCie and the power supply.

I am recommending you get a hold of them and describe the issue. Make sure you tell them we went through troubleshooting, including seeing that Mac OS X does not see it physically on the USB device list, and you would like to try a new power adaptor before resorting to replacing the drive.

Mike

20 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

Ok, thanks. I have a friend coming over with after work with a power supply...if this works I'll accept yr answer to post payment & heretofor proclaim you my savior!!!

Posted by Mike 20 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

Lol.

If you get the files off it because the power adaptor works, trash that junk and get a real drive.

Just my opinion... LaCie has gone downhill in quality and I no longer recommend them to any of my clients.

Seagate and Western Digital make excelllent products for desktop and portable drives.

Good Luck.
Mike

20 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

Thanks Mike, will do. Yeah Ive heard a lot of bad things about lacie (after I bought one, of course). My friend has a drive from a company called Avastor that he really likes...I'll check out the 2 that you mentioned for sure.

Many thanks!

Accepted Answer

Ok.

Mike

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Expert: Mike
Pos. Feedback: 99.7 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 11/4/2009

Mac Support Specialist

Apple trained Technician, A+ Certified, 20+ years of Mac support, repairs, training, and consulting

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