[frazzled]

I'm trying to mount an external firewire hard drive but OSX 10.3.4 isn't cooperating. The drive has two partions, one being 10.2.3. Do you think it won't mount because of the older version? I'm at my wits end because I have a large amount of data that I must get off this drive. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It's looking like my only option is to install it internally in my iMac. This would be a drag to say the least!

[Grant_G]

Try this.
G

[dougster]

frazzled,
When posting back after trying Grant's suggestion using MountMe! (funny name) /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif could you include which external drive you have? Just curious..thanks

[frazzled]

I tried Mount Me without success. I purchased an external firewire hard drive enclosure from CDW. OSX is seeing the unit but just not the hard drive. I also have an external firewire QPS CD burner. I swapped the hard drive and burner in both units and in both cases, the burner operates fine. I have a feeling this is an operating system problem and isn't hardware related. Probably because the drive has an earlier version of OSX. You would think the hard drive utility would allow me to see it and maybe give me the option to format it.

[dougster]

When you say the OS is seeing the unit do you mean it shows up in System Profile? Have you tried a Restart with the external FW drive on? Many folks have lower OSes on their partitioned external HDs so I don't think that would play into it.

[pjskelti]

Sometimes a restart will sort the problem out, with the FW drive connected - if not, then launch Disk Utility from the Utilities folder and Verify & Repair the drive (the main one, not the partitions).
If that doesn't work, then leave the drive connected and turn the Mac off (shutdown or sleep) overnight and all should be well the next morning, in case it's just a case of the FW ports trip not resetting.
If this doesn't work, it sounds like directory damage, and either Micromat's TechTool Pro 4/Drive 10 or Alsoft's DiskWarrior 3.0.2 is needed to fix the problem (which hopefuly it can).

[Grant_G]

Good advice Phil, especially since the computer couldn't care less what is installed on any drive except the boot drive. The fact that 10.3.3 or .2 is on a partition on the external is totally immaterial/irrelevant to the problem at hand. It could have System 6, or even Windows on it and be recognized. The problem is with Firewire, or in the drive's directory as you accurately stated.
G

[frazzled]

I'm going to install the drive in my iMac flat panel and burn the stuff needed to CD. I'll use the external drive as a door stop until Apple comes up with a fix. This is going to suck. iMacs are such a pain to take apart.
Thanks a million for your suggestions. I appreciate the help.

[Nobody]

In some instances, the FW external HD seems like it is powered up since the FW port provides some power to the HD. Turning the FW ext. HD by the power switch doesn't neccessarily means the HD would mount and in fact it won't mount, even with the the LED indicating some source of power. FW HD that provides its own power source need to be ensured that power cord is also plugged in conjunction with turning on the HD power switch. I think that's how the sequence goes.
I bungled that up about month ago trying to mount my FW ext. HD. That could be the idea if that FW HD has power cord or plug that needs to be attach to the power outlet.

[Brisa]

I had thi sproblem of my ext. HD not mounting on my deskotp nor being seen by Disk Utilities, DW etc.
In my case, problem was tat I had connected and formated ( and even used!) the ext HD without installing the "Tools" that came in a CD with the device. I believed that just for the fact that it was plug and play was enough. I even callled Tech Support (I have a Fantom) and they recommended me to take send it for service, as it was still under warranty.
BUT..after installing the Tools, and restarting, problem was solved. Hope this help somehow.

[vinny1701]

There have been times where my external Que! 120GB hard drive hasn't been recognized by my B&W G3/400 running 10.3.4. I tried Disk Tools, and that didn't work. The Firewire port was fine, so it wasn't that, either. I solved it by restarting the G3 in OS9 (since I have it partitioned for both OSX and OS9). Once I do that, I shut down the external hard drive, restart in OSX, and then restart the external hard drive.
It should be noted that Que! is no longer supporting Mac (as far as I know), and came up with the solution entirely out of desparation. Hope this may help others.
Michael