TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I would Google SMART hard drive reporting SW for Mac...

ecurb1105

Sounds more like a Mac issue then a HD issue. I use two external HDs plus my computer HD. I will not use anything Apple.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I have at least 10 WD drives. For most this brand has become the go to drive. Accept for pro work
with massive files etc. I have used other brands and one expensive one and WD responds and works for me.
That said invest in another WD drive. And buy the Mac version if you use Mac. Or buy a any version
and and reinitialize it on your computer completely.
Now if you are using a Mac I had a weird experience. My Mac 27 is just wonderful for 6 years.
It got the dreaded white screen and hung up. Tried many suggested ways by Apple and online.
Finally one said this just do this. completely unplug for a while and restart completely. It worked!!!
I bought a new electrical cord and isolated the power on one cord. I have many cords.
Good luck.

conigk

I am experiencing the same issue. I have an older Mac but the hard drive is fairly new. I have two external drives (one for photos and one for daily back up) and first just one could not be found but now it is both of them and to backup using Time Machine or use my photos in Light Room, I have to reboot.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Apparently, you reset the System Management Controller.

Macs have either or both a PRAM and/or an SMC (Parameter Random Access Memory or System Management Controller). These store startup and configuration parameters that are accessed at startup. Their settings can become corrupted.

If you are in a hurry, you can reset PRAM:

Shut down your Mac.
Power on your Mac.
Listen for the startup chime.
IMMEDIATELY when you hear the startup chime, simultaneously hold down COMMAND + OPTION + P + R.
Wait until you have heard the startup chime TWO MORE TIMES, then let go.

Resetting the SMC varies a bit from model to model. Here's the complete skinny on that:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

If you own a Mac, it is a VERY good idea to run Disk Utility's First Aid feature on a regular basis, to evaluate and repair all of your drives, one at a time. Disk Utility is in the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder on your Mac. It is a very handy tool for managing conventional drives, SSDs, RAID arrays, flash memory cards and sticks... If you need more than that, third party software is available.

Stellar Data Recovery
Disk Warrior
Drive Genius
Onyx
Techtool Pro to Go

Each of those tools has a different emphasis. Look them up online to find the version that runs on your version of OS X or Mac OS. I have used Disk Warrior and Techtool in the past, with good results.


By "repair", we mean fix minor areas in the disk's directory structure. This won't fix hardware problems, but MOST problems with Mac hard drives are directory errors.

jerrylh Loc: Texas

1. Backup asap.
2. Try a new cord.
3. Change to a full size drive intended for backup. Passports are intended for temporary backup.
My daughter was using a Passport for backup and it stopped working. I was able to get important data off her drive but it took a lot of time.
I use 2 passports for temporary backup on specific projects, but at the same time they are backed up on my backup drive.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Thank you. I’ll look into that. I see some other suggestions for MAC computers, too, that I’ll try.

wjwoodbury

A favorite saying in the computer industry is, "there are two types of computer users: those who have lost data, and those who will lose data." Fear the worst and take action now while you still have a chance of recovering the data.

I back up all of my files to a cloud service. Some services are better than others, but I like the fact that the backup is automatic and stored off site. I also have a network drive (NAS) on my home network. I don't have RAID set up, but plan to do so soon.

truetexan

thanks for all your help gang ! Definitry will get a second drive to back up to, and will try a different cable...Thank Ya'll !!!