"USB Devices Disabled" message: I recently purchased an 27" Retina iMac, 4Ghz i7, 16GB ram. I plugged in two external drives - a Seagate and a WD through a Dynex USB 2 Port Hub. Both...

cogerox Loc: Northern Cal

I recently purchased an 27" Retina iMac, 4Ghz i7, 16GB ram. I plugged in two external drives - a Seagate and a WD through a Dynex USB 2 Port Hub. Both worked fine. I imported pictures from both drives using Lightroom 5.6. Then I plugged in a different Seagate drive - FreeAgent GoFlex (also through the Dynex hub) - and got the message "USB Devices Disabled - Unplug the device using too much power to re-enable USB devices". I've been using this Seagate GoFlex drive on my MacBook Pro for nearly two years without a problem. I then plugged the GoFlex drive back into the MacBook Pro and got the same message (which I've never had come up before on the MacBook). Lastly, I replugged the GoFlex back into the Dynex Hub and the Hub back into the iMac. The Dynex hub started to smoke. I disconnected both the drive and the hub. Needless to say the hub is toast, but I'm wondering if there is any way to re-access the GoFlex drive either on the iMac or the MacBook.

tamalero Loc: Mexico

cogerox wrote:

I recently purchased an 27" Retina iMac, 4Ghz... (show quote)

have you tried the hard disks in another computer first?

because if you seen smoke.. 3 things could have happened.

a) your mac usb ports are ruined and you will have to either buy a pci express or pci based USB.. or change your motherborad (happens more constantly than you think. I think Ethernet ports die faster, but then the USB are next)

b) your hub is dead.. just replace it with a better brand.

c) your USB hard disk controller is dead.. just replace the external hard drive casing (aka the shell with the USB controller). the internal HDD of the external unit might be fine.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

The non powered hub probably corrupted something on your drive. If the USB ports on both computers still function I'd take your Free Agent Go Flex and Mac Book Pro to an Apple store with an appointment for Genius help. They have recovery software that should be able to read what is on this drive. If there isn't anything now on the drive you need, plug it into either computer, open Drive utilities and reformat the drive. In the meantime purchase a good brand name powered hub from OWC or one of the other Mac vendors in your area.

cogerox Loc: Northern Cal

tamalero wrote:

have you tried the hard disks in another computer ... (show quote)

a)iMac ports seem to be fine. I'm able to access my other external hard drives.

b) I'm certain the hub is dead, and may replace depending on if I find one I think is safe to use in my iMac

"c) your USB hard disk controller is dead.. just replace the external hard drive casing (aka the shell with the USB controller). the internal HDD of the external unit might be fine."

How do I do this? Where would I find a replacement shell? From the manufacturer?

tamalero Loc: Mexico

cogerox wrote:

a)iMac ports seem to be fine. I'm able to access my other external hard drives.

b) I'm certain the hub is dead, and may replace depending on if I find one I think is safe to use in my iMac

"c) your USB hard disk controller is dead.. just replace the external hard drive casing (aka the shell with the USB controller). the internal HDD of the external unit might be fine."

How do I do this? Where would I find a replacement shell? From the manufacturer?

You simply open the casing. It usually as a normal computer hard disk (3.5) inside. So you extract the hard disk.
Then you purchase a "USB external hard disk case". Insert your hard disk.. and voyla!
you can use your HDD with no problem again!

But then... If you have very bad luck.. the hard disk controller might get damaged as well... and replacing that is more tricky.

You can purchase the cases in amazon by searching "hard disk case" or "hard disk enclosure"

cogerox Loc: Northern Cal

romanticf16 wrote:

The non powered hub probably corrupted something o... (show quote)

Unfortunately it is full of irreplaceable photos, only some of which have been backed up. Stop staring! Apple Store is a good suggestion, but two hours away (doesn't rule it out). Thanks.

cogerox Loc: Northern Cal

romanticf16 wrote:

The non powered hub probably corrupted something o... (show quote)

Atually, it was a powered hub. I guess I left that out.

cogerox Loc: Northern Cal

tamalero wrote:

You simply open the casing. It usually as a normal... (show quote)

Thanks tamalero. I'll try searching for a hard disk case.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

cogerox wrote:

Thanks tamalero. I'll try searching for a hard disk case.

Or... just get a temp cable converter....does IDE or SATA.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/230729547609?lpid=82

tamalero Loc: Mexico

Dngallagher wrote:

Or... just get a temp cable converter....does IDE or SATA.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/230729547609?lpid=82

he could also get a "DOCK".
I use a USB to SATA dock to restore information from hard disks.. they are very handy.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

tamalero wrote:

he could also get a "DOCK".
I use a USB to SATA dock to restore information from hard disks.. they are very handy.

Yes, I have a pair of docks that connect by usb, firewire 400 or and/or firewire 800.... and a thunderbolt connected external drive.... many options to consider.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

romanticf16 wrote:

The non powered hub probably corrupted something o... (show quote)

Good advice!

bobove Loc: Maple Grove, MN

I recently had the same sort of message popup when I connected my NEW D810 to my MacBook Air. I used a different USB3 cord and everything worked as it should. I took the camera & USB cord to the camera shop where I purchased the camera and they order a new cord from Nikon. The original cord must have had a short in it. Good luck.

tamalero Loc: Mexico

bobove wrote:

I recently had the same sort of message popup when I connected my NEW D810 to my MacBook Air. I used a different USB3 cord and everything worked as it should. I took the camera & USB cord to the camera shop where I purchased the camera and they order a new cord from Nikon. The original cord must have had a short in it. Good luck.

Also, before I forget.. Note that some USB3 ports are very delicate to interference or bad connections.

If you have a BAD-shoddy quality computer case, the USB3 ports of the case might be causing conflict with certain devices.
Cell phones like the Samsung Galaxy S3 or S2, sometimes do not go into special modes (multimedia mode) for example.. unless the USB3 is directly plugged to the motherboard's USB3 backports.
You use the front case ports.. and they will not work (or cause weird phenomena)

Shoddy cables also can affect the whole thing.

cogerox Loc: Northern Cal

Dngallagher wrote:

Or... just get a temp cable converter....does IDE or SATA.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/230729547609?lpid=82

Thanks for the advice Dngallagher. The converter you linked to, as well as one on amazon here (which looks identical): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OORMVQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0YC1JCA462PN4VYTW5MA&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1935651402&pf_rd_i=desktop
are both usb 2.0. Will they work with an iMac that has usb 3.0?