Can't get my ibook G4 to read my external HD

dubplatepressure · Jul 5th, 2006, 01:59 PM

Well it's definetely not a dud, I've already checked it by plugging it into a Toshiba Satellite PC Laptop and it picked it up right away, so it's got to be a mac thing

The model # is HDD040

dubplatepressure · Jul 5th, 2006, 02:23 PM

OK I just tried plugging in a little 64 mb Lexar USB storage device to my ibook, and it didn't pick up or register that either. But when I plug it into the PC laptop it runs and works perfectly.

Any thoughts on this anyone? I cant seem to find a remedy.

Cheers,

Rob

wdejong · Jul 6th, 2006, 02:58 AM

Boot from the install disk, and then plug the external drive in. Use the disk utility to find it. As long as it shows up there, when you reboot to your OS, you should again find it. I ran across this very issue today, and that's how we resolved it.

dubplatepressure · Jul 6th, 2006, 10:50 AM

Ok, being new to macs I'm not exactly sure how to boot from the install disk. The install disk from the OS or from the hard drive install disk?

dubplatepressure · Jul 6th, 2006, 04:51 PM

anyone?

winwintoo · Jul 6th, 2006, 08:21 PM

Well, they've all gone away and left you there alone - sorry about that.

What computer do you have? Do you have the disks that came with it?

I think what they meant was stick in the disk that came with the computer then restart the computer and hold down the "c" key until the computer has restarted. You will then be in the "Installer" - before you get there, you might see some flashes about preparing to install, don't worry - nothing bad is happening.

Once your computer has started, you will see the start dialog for the install, and in the upper left is the "Installer" menu - there is an item there called "Disk utility" or something like that. Select it - plug in your drive and see if it shows up. If it shows up, you should be good to go. Quit the installer - under the Installer menu - and your computer will restart again. Eject the disk and put it away.

According to wdejong, if the drive showed up in the disk utility, you should now be able to see it in the finder. If not, I'm all out of ideas, sorry.

Margaret

dubplatepressure · Jul 6th, 2006, 09:28 PM

I have an iBook G4 1.33ghz... 12"

And yes, I have the OSX disks that came with it. Ok cool, I'll give that a whirl tonight and see where it gets me...

It's nice to finally see some light at the end of the tunnel

Many thanks! I'll post back and let you know if it worked.

winwintoo · Jul 6th, 2006, 10:55 PM

Just remember not to click on anything inside the install dialog. You only want the Installation (I think that's what it's called ) menu.

Hope it works for you,
Margaret

wdejong · Jul 6th, 2006, 11:15 PM

Thanks for the better explanation, Margaret. I came across this exact same situation at work yesterday, and that was what fixed it for me. I believe it was a case of booting from a known system disc, and then having DU actively look for those attached drives.

dubplatepressure · Jul 7th, 2006, 04:02 PM

Hey guys,

So I followed your steps, restarted and booted from the os cd, but it still didn't recognize the external HD. I'm not sure if this is related, but as I mentioned earlier, when I tried plugging in my little usb drive it doesnt work either. BUT - when I plug the little usb drive into my PC laptop, there's a tiny little light that turns on, indicating power I guess. It doesn't light up when I plug it into the usb jack of my ibook.

Could it not be working because it's not recieving any power - rather the ibook isn't sending any power to the usb jacks? My mini optical mouse works fine when I plug it into the same jack... but for some reason no HDs.

I cant find any power settings that relate to this...

Jul 6th, 2006, 02:58 AM	#13
wdejong Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 60	Boot from the install disk, and then plug the external drive in. Use the disk utility to find it. As long as it shows up there, when you reboot to your OS, you should again find it. I ran across this very issue today, and that's how we resolved it. __________________ Willem de Jong

Jul 6th, 2006, 11:15 PM	#19
wdejong Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 60	Thanks for the better explanation, Margaret. I came across this exact same situation at work yesterday, and that was what fixed it for me. I believe it was a case of booting from a known system disc, and then having DU actively look for those attached drives. __________________ Willem de Jong

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Jul 5th, 2006, 01:59 PM	#11
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	Well it's definetely not a dud, I've already checked it by plugging it into a Toshiba Satellite PC Laptop and it picked it up right away, so it's got to be a mac thing The model # is HDD040

Jul 5th, 2006, 02:23 PM	#12
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	OK I just tried plugging in a little 64 mb Lexar USB storage device to my ibook, and it didn't pick up or register that either. But when I plug it into the PC laptop it runs and works perfectly. Any thoughts on this anyone? I cant seem to find a remedy. Cheers, Rob

Jul 6th, 2006, 10:50 AM	#14
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	Ok, being new to macs I'm not exactly sure how to boot from the install disk. The install disk from the OS or from the hard drive install disk?

Jul 6th, 2006, 04:51 PM	#15
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	anyone?

Jul 6th, 2006, 08:21 PM	#16
winwintoo Honourable Citizen Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Southern Saskatchewan Posts: 4,444	Well, they've all gone away and left you there alone - sorry about that. What computer do you have? Do you have the disks that came with it? I think what they meant was stick in the disk that came with the computer then restart the computer and hold down the "c" key until the computer has restarted. You will then be in the "Installer" - before you get there, you might see some flashes about preparing to install, don't worry - nothing bad is happening. Once your computer has started, you will see the start dialog for the install, and in the upper left is the "Installer" menu - there is an item there called "Disk utility" or something like that. Select it - plug in your drive and see if it shows up. If it shows up, you should be good to go. Quit the installer - under the Installer menu - and your computer will restart again. Eject the disk and put it away. According to wdejong, if the drive showed up in the disk utility, you should now be able to see it in the finder. If not, I'm all out of ideas, sorry. Margaret

Jul 6th, 2006, 09:28 PM	#17
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	I have an iBook G4 1.33ghz... 12" And yes, I have the OSX disks that came with it. Ok cool, I'll give that a whirl tonight and see where it gets me... It's nice to finally see some light at the end of the tunnel Many thanks! I'll post back and let you know if it worked.

Jul 6th, 2006, 10:55 PM	#18
winwintoo Honourable Citizen Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Southern Saskatchewan Posts: 4,444	Just remember not to click on anything inside the install dialog. You only want the Installation (I think that's what it's called ) menu. Hope it works for you, Margaret

Jul 7th, 2006, 04:02 PM	#20
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	Hey guys, So I followed your steps, restarted and booted from the os cd, but it still didn't recognize the external HD. I'm not sure if this is related, but as I mentioned earlier, when I tried plugging in my little usb drive it doesnt work either. BUT - when I plug the little usb drive into my PC laptop, there's a tiny little light that turns on, indicating power I guess. It doesn't light up when I plug it into the usb jack of my ibook. Could it not be working because it's not recieving any power - rather the ibook isn't sending any power to the usb jacks? My mini optical mouse works fine when I plug it into the same jack... but for some reason no HDs. I cant find any power settings that relate to this...