Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

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Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

I recently connected a Seagate 400 GB HD to my iMac G5 and it works fine --- except for one small, but very irritating, problem. The computer doesn't recognize the Seagate unless I restart the computer. The external HD icon doesn't appear on the screen when I turn it on, and Disk Utility doesn't show it exists. However, if I restart, the Seagate icon immediately appears, and Disk Utility now knows it exists. What's so annoying, in addition to having to wait for the computer to reboot, is that I have to put things I'm working on back on the Dock every time I restart. Any suggestions?

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Re: Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

What's so annoying, in addition to having to wait for the computer to reboot, is that I have to put things I'm working on back on the Dock every time I restart. Any suggestions?

Could you elaborate further? If you're having problems unrelated to the external hard drive, it sounds like you might need to reload the OS. Reinstalling OS X would probably fix your hard drive problem too.

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Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

I have no problems unrelated to the hard drive, at least none I'm aware of. Moreover, the Seagate hard drive itself works great, except that I have to turn it on, then, restart the computer in order for the computer to know it's there; i.e, have the Seagate icon appear on the screen and Disk Utility to show it. If I just pushbutton the Seagate on without restarting, the icon doesn't appear on the screen, and Disk Utility doesn't list it.

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Still could use more information

Are you connecting via USB or FireWire?

Are you connecting directly to the Mac's (USB or FireWire) port, or are you connecting to a (USB or FireWire) hub, which is in turn connected to the Mac?

Have you tried repairing permissions? Usually the first thing I try when things are acting strange. [Your Hard Drive]>Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility

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Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

I've got the Seagate connected directly to a Mac USB port. When I first encountered the problem I called Apple and a technician had me run tests which indicated a volume couldn't be restored. So, I took the computer to an Apple Care Center last week where, according to the rec't they gave me, they replaced all of the following: "Logic Board. 1.8 GHz, w/SuperDrive; Power Supply, Non-PFC; Hard Drive 250 GB, Serial ATA." (Fortunately I have an extended warranty or it would have cost me almost as much as the computer new.) Given everything replaced, seems to me it's unlikely the computer's my problem.

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Easy, Pardner.

Didn't say the computer itself was the problem. Just trying to gather as much information as possible.

Occasionally, when connecting through a hub, devices don't communicate the same way they would if they were connected directly to the computer.

For example, my iPod 3G connects to my iBook via a 6-port FireWire hub. If I connected directly to my machine, the iPod would unmount at system shutdown, when power is cut to the FireWire port. However, since it is connected via the hub, it's still getting power at system shutdown, so the "Do not disconnect" icon never goes away like it would if it were connected directly. If I want to take my iPod with me, I need to unmount it from my operating system before shutdown.

This is why I asked whether you're using a hub. It turns out you are not, so we can eliminate that from the equation.

Occasionally, in the course of moving files, installing software, performing updates, etc., certain settings or "permissions" get written incorrectly to system files. Incorrect permissions cause all sorts of general squirreliness. This is why I asked whether you had repaired permissions. If you haven't, please give it a try.

For the benefit of others reading this thread later, who may not know how to repair permissions, here are instructions: Run the Disk Utility (in [your hard drive]>Applications>Utilities) and wait for the list to populate. Select the system partition on your hard drive from the list on the left. Click the "First Aid" tab, then click the "Repair Disk Permissions" button. The process will take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, and can be done in the background while you do other work. When the repair is finished, a restart isn't necessary, but wouldn't hurt anything either.

Good luck. Keep us posted when things don't work, and please let us know what does work in the end.

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Can you turn the drive on bef

Can you turn the drive on before plugging it in? I've had issues where the computer loads incorrect usb drivers if usb is plugged in and then it doesn't recognize the drive correctly without rebooting. I have had much better luck with firewire external drives.

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Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

Okay. I'll try repair permissions . . . in the morning when my head's a bit clearer.

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Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

I'll give that a try before I repair permissions, keeping my fingers crossed.

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Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

Okay, as per hackintoshg4's suggestion, I first tried turning the Seagate on before plugging it in to the USB port. No success. Next, I repaired permissions as you recommended. That didn't solve the problem either. Another little bit of info which may or may not help: If I Spotlite "Seagate" I get "seagate.dmg" under "documents" and a white Seagate icon appears on the screen. When I click on it a file opens containing an orange Seagate icon. When I click on that, I get the message: "The volume for 'external drive' cannot be found. Insert the disk or connect to the server volume and wait for it to appear on the desktop, then try again." Since I didn't use a disk to format the Seagate for my iMac, I assume the first doesn't apply. As for "connecting to the server volume," I don't really know how to go about it.

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Software Update?

Is all of your Apple software up-to-date? Are you running Mac OS X 10.4.7?

Any chance there's been a security update or iMac Firmware update since you last checked?

Go to your Apple menu and select Software Update. It will communicate with Apple's servers to see "what's new," and report recommendations back to you. Check the applicable boxes and click "Update."

Your computer will ask for your system password for your protection, so enter it and click "OK" or "Continue" or whatever that button says that's lit up in blue. And of course, click "I Agree" on all the license agreements that nobody ever reads.

When it's done, restart the Mac and run Software Update again (some updates are prerequisite to newer updates, so the newer ones will become available once the prerequisites are installed).

Repeat the process until there are no further updates.

I make a point to run all available updates, whether or not I own a particular piece of hardware or use a program often. That way I don't have to do multiple updates if and when I ever do decide I need a given product. Then again, I have a high-speed connection, so it's fairly painless for me. Your mileage may vary.

Once all the updates are run, repair permissions once more (remember how I talked about permissions getting out of whack after software updates?), then try the Seagate again.

Keep us posted!

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Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

Thanks much for sticking with me on this CW.

Yes, I'm running the latest Mac OS X. I Just did a Software Update. Nothing new to download. (Like you, I update frequently.)

Part of my brain reasons the Seagate must not be sending the Mac a message it exists. To which another part replies: "I that case, how does the Mac manage to find it immediately when you restart?"

A part of the problem may be that I'm a senior, "senior citizen;" and, as with most of my class, the theory and practice of high technology doesn't come automatically. Picture yourself in a bed with silk sheets, a bottle of Syrah on the nightstand, the room romantically illuminated with a candle, and lying beside you is Jessica Simpson wearing an inviting smile and a steel chastity belt with a combination lock. That pretty much describes how computers sometimes make we seniors feel.

I spoke with a Seagate technician who suggested I return it for a replacement. However, when I phoned about doing so I was told the replacement would be "reconditioned" rather than new.

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If they're offering a replacement, ...

Go for it. Often times, the "reconditioned" items are more reliable than the "stock" units.

Take Apple as an example. When a computer or iPod is exchanged as defective, it goes back to Apple where it is run through the most stringent diagnosis, repair and quality control. The techs there will test things that don't get checked on the production line. The next time I buy a Mac (probably about a year from now), I will look seriously at any refurbished Macs that are available at that time.

Make a folder on your internal hard drive and drag the contents of the Seagate into it. When the replacement arrives, you can then drag the contents of that folder back to the new Seagate.

Good luck!

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another little bit of info

I havent had a problem with any variety of external drives on my G4 mac mini, however my friend has an iMac G5 and it seems to always do weird things like those that you mentioned when he is using a USB hard drive. He hasnt had a problem using Firewire drives though. His problem COULD be entirely unrelated to yours though, the only issues in parallel are the fact that they're USB drive problems, they're BOTH iMac G5's, and BOTH of you have had new logic boards installed under applecare.

/Bill

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Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

About replacement of the G5 logic board: Removing the back of the computer, the applecare technician pointed to a transistor with a swollen top, like a can of spoiled food. "We've had quite a few of these," he observed, adding: "Apple no longer buys transistors from the same company." Because there are 10-12 of the transistors, changing the entire board has probably been a simpler solution than a one-by-one replacement of the transistors.

Since the Seagate cable is designed to be connected to a USB port, I'd obviously need some sort of coupler in order to use a firewall port. Do you think I'd be able to get one at Radioshack? More importantly, has your friend successfully connected a Seagate external drive to a firewall port?

CW may have suggested the best route: send the Seagate HD back for a reconditioned replacement.

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Oh yes..

absolutley, if seagate offered a replacement, take them up on it. You cant adapt a USB device to a Firewire port. Some External hard drives have both USB and FIrewire interfaces, and that is how the HDD's we were using were configured. And, no we havent used Seagate drives.. Weve been using store bought hard drives placed in external enclosures that we buy seperatley.. Smile

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USB --> FireWire conversion ... !?

I'm not aware of any really good way to convert a USB device to FireWire. If some other 'Fritter has accurate information on this, feel free to correct me.

Perhaps another consideration would be to ask if it is possible to exchange the current Seagate (if you decide to exchange anyway) for a FireWire model. They may tell you that you need to pay a small difference in cost, or they may give you a flat-out "no." But at least you asked.

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Seagate 400 GB and iMac G5

Okay guys, I'll go the replacement route tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed.
Prisma

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