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

dubplatepressure · Jul 4th, 2006, 09:22 PM

Hey,

I recently grabbed a 40 GB external usb HD from a gentleman on here, and I haven't been able to get it to register when I plug it into my iBook. Apparently this gentleman had the same problem connecting to his iBook, but it definetely works with other computers.

I just need to know if there's any settings I need to be activating or something so that it registers the external HD. The hard drive is responsive when plugged into the usb jack, the light on it lights up. But nothing from my ibook.

I've tried searching for any possible remedies but thus far have come up short.

Repeater04 · Jul 4th, 2006, 10:25 PM

Try using Disk Utility to initialize the drive. It should show up then.

winwintoo · Jul 4th, 2006, 10:37 PM

What kind of drive is it? what make?

I bought a 40 GB drive quite a while ago and couldn't get my PowerBook to recognize it. Took it back to the store and the guy went around and it worked on every computer in the store until I told him to try it on a laptop - any laptop - and it wouldn't work.

He admited it was defective and replaced it.

The replacement worked, but it has (had) two cords and both needed to be plugged in for the silly thing to work. Now we've lost one of the cords and I can't even remember where the drive is.

So what I'm saying is - it might just be a dud, or you might need that other cord.

Margaret

dubplatepressure · Jul 4th, 2006, 10:55 PM

It's an Iomega.... i tried fooling with the disk utility but when I went into it I only saw my hard drive that was in the ibook - i couldnt find/locate/see the external hard drive.

SINC · Jul 4th, 2006, 10:58 PM

Margaret,

My 250 G external HD came with both Firewire and USB cables. Unless I have both cables hooked up, my eMac or Powerbook or MBP won't recognize it, or if they do, only for a short period of time before the disk image drops from the desktop.

Using both cords makes it stable and no problem to use.

dubplatepressure · Jul 4th, 2006, 11:05 PM

This hard drive is only USB though... not firewire.

CanadaRAM · Jul 5th, 2006, 01:15 AM

Back to first concepts:
Does this drive have a separate AC adaptor to supply power?
The reason most USB drives fail on laptops is that they rely on drawing power from the USB port. Mac notebook and some PC notebook USB ports don't provide enough current to run the drive. That's why the goofy dual-cable arrangement -- the second cable is just there to draw extra current from the second port to make up the deficit.

THat's also why it works on desktop machines, because most of them don't have a low mA limit on the power available on the USB.

I sound like a broken record here but I don't trust buss-powered hard drives nohow. If it is rotating media and doesn't plug into the wall, I don't use it.

winwintoo · Jul 5th, 2006, 08:51 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by CanadaRAM
	Back to first concepts: Does this drive have a separate AC adaptor to supply power? The reason most USB drives fail on laptops is that they rely on drawing power from the USB port. Mac notebook and some PC notebook USB ports don't provide enough current to run the drive. That's why the goofy dual-cable arrangement -- the second cable is just there to draw extra current from the second port to make up the deficit. THat's also why it works on desktop machines, because most of them don't have a low mA limit on the power available on the USB. I sound like a broken record here but I don't trust buss-powered hard drives nohow. If it is rotating media and doesn't plug into the wall, I don't use it.

I believe CanadaRAM has nailed the problem I had with my drive. It didn't plug into the wall, if I remember correctly the other cord also plugged into a USB port so it was drawing power from both ports.

Take care, Margaret

dubplatepressure · Jul 5th, 2006, 10:54 AM

My hard drive has a separate cord that plugs directly into an outlet.

winwintoo · Jul 5th, 2006, 12:02 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by dubplatepressure
	My hard drive has a separate cord that plugs directly into an outlet.

Well then, it must just be a dud

Sorry, I thought mine was Iomega and thought yours might be the same problem as mine, but I see that mine is IOGear.

Take care, Margaret

Jul 4th, 2006, 09:22 PM	#1
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	Can't get my ibook G4 to read my external HD Hey, I recently grabbed a 40 GB external usb HD from a gentleman on here, and I haven't been able to get it to register when I plug it into my iBook. Apparently this gentleman had the same problem connecting to his iBook, but it definetely works with other computers. I just need to know if there's any settings I need to be activating or something so that it registers the external HD. The hard drive is responsive when plugged into the usb jack, the light on it lights up. But nothing from my ibook. I've tried searching for any possible remedies but thus far have come up short.

Jul 4th, 2006, 10:25 PM	#2
Repeater04 Full Citizen Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ottawa Posts: 213	Try using Disk Utility to initialize the drive. It should show up then. __________________ If the Internet has no doors or fences,.....then, why do we need windows or gates!

Jul 4th, 2006, 10:58 PM	#5
SINC Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Central Alberta Posts: 39,859	Margaret, My 250 G external HD came with both Firewire and USB cables. Unless I have both cables hooked up, my eMac or Powerbook or MBP won't recognize it, or if they do, only for a short period of time before the disk image drops from the desktop. Using both cords makes it stable and no problem to use. __________________ Visit my website: St. Albert's Place "When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty." Never squat with your spurs on.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Do I really need to keep my 512MB iBook G4 SO-DIMM RAM chip for warranty service?	HowEver	Anything Mac	3	Mar 1st, 2006 06:48 PM
iBook G4 Display Issue	DrewNL	Mac & iPod Help & Troubleshooting	2	Feb 16th, 2006 01:03 AM
iBook G4 airport extreme problems	elpedrofantastico	Mac & iPod Help & Troubleshooting	7	Feb 9th, 2006 04:13 PM
Would the keyboard from an iBook G4 work on a G3 iBook (not Clamshell)?	CN	Mac & iPod Help & Troubleshooting	4	Aug 30th, 2005 08:27 PM
Installing HD in external enclosure	MacNutt	Mac & iPod Help & Troubleshooting	14	Aug 30th, 2005 08:05 PM

Jul 4th, 2006, 10:37 PM	#3
winwintoo Honourable Citizen Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Southern Saskatchewan Posts: 4,467	What kind of drive is it? what make? I bought a 40 GB drive quite a while ago and couldn't get my PowerBook to recognize it. Took it back to the store and the guy went around and it worked on every computer in the store until I told him to try it on a laptop - any laptop - and it wouldn't work. He admited it was defective and replaced it. The replacement worked, but it has (had) two cords and both needed to be plugged in for the silly thing to work. Now we've lost one of the cords and I can't even remember where the drive is. So what I'm saying is - it might just be a dud, or you might need that other cord. Margaret

Jul 4th, 2006, 10:55 PM	#4
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	It's an Iomega.... i tried fooling with the disk utility but when I went into it I only saw my hard drive that was in the ibook - i couldnt find/locate/see the external hard drive.

Jul 4th, 2006, 11:05 PM	#6
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	This hard drive is only USB though... not firewire.

Jul 5th, 2006, 01:15 AM	#7
CanadaRAM Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 3,155	Back to first concepts: Does this drive have a separate AC adaptor to supply power? The reason most USB drives fail on laptops is that they rely on drawing power from the USB port. Mac notebook and some PC notebook USB ports don't provide enough current to run the drive. That's why the goofy dual-cable arrangement -- the second cable is just there to draw extra current from the second port to make up the deficit. THat's also why it works on desktop machines, because most of them don't have a low mA limit on the power available on the USB. I sound like a broken record here but I don't trust buss-powered hard drives nohow. If it is rotating media and doesn't plug into the wall, I don't use it.

Jul 5th, 2006, 10:54 AM	#9
dubplatepressure Full Citizen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 124	My hard drive has a separate cord that plugs directly into an outlet.