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-   -   External USB drive ejecting during backup problem (https://www.shirt-pocket.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6630)

pixxelpusher 04-17-2012 02:24 AM

External USB drive ejecting during backup problem
 
Hi I've got a problem with trying to copy my MacBook Pro internal drive to an external 500GB USB drive. The internal drive has 290GB of data on it, but halfway through the copy process the drive will eject and the copying fails. I've then tried to Smart Update the drive to continue the process, It does copy for a while but then ejects itself again. I'm not sure why it's doing this as only last week I did the same to my Mac Mini and it all went smooth. I want to put the 500GB drive into my MacBook Pro so that's why I want a perfect bootable copy. Any ideas? I've kept some of the logs that I can add if that helps? Thanks

dnanian 04-17-2012 07:20 AM

If the drive is ejecting your're having hardware problems. It's either the cable, case, drive or power supply - under load, the drive stops responding, and when that happens, the OS gives up and "ejects" it...

pixxelpusher 04-17-2012 07:35 AM

It is quite strange as it worked perfectly fine doing exactly the same on my mac mini just last week. The drive seems to work fine when I just copy files normally to it, and i've done a full zero erase on the drive and tested it with Tech Tools and Drive Genius (running in the case) and they report every thing is ok. I'm not sure how else I can diagnose it? I have ordered another external usb case so I can see if that makes a difference. If there was any other suggestions in the meantime that would be great. Thanks.

dnanian 04-17-2012 07:41 AM

I'd try different ports and cables. If you're sure the drive surface is fine, then you've narrowed the problem to case, cable, port(s) and power supply.

pixxelpusher 04-17-2012 07:50 AM

I only have 2 usb ports on my MacBook Pro, I'm not sure if i move the drive between ports or not but I can try that. It is usb powered so no external power, and I only have the one *special* usb cable that came with the case so can't really try another one. I might have to wait until the other case arrives to see if that helps.

dnanian 04-17-2012 07:56 AM

Yes, I'd try using the other port. And make sure your MBP's plugged in.

pixxelpusher 04-17-2012 11:19 AM

I know this isn't a specific SuperDuper question but i've just read that you can completely restore your system from a Time Machine backup. Has anyone had experience with this? Would that mean I could just put the new 500GB drive into my MacBook Pro and then use Time Machine to make it the same as my existing drive?

pixxelpusher 04-18-2012 11:54 AM

Hi just thought I would update on this. On another forum a guy said the external drive case was asking for too much power under full load, and in this circumstance the mac system is authorised to eject the drive, which is why it was dropping out. He suggested using a powered hub to help give it more power. This did seem to help. Another thing I noticed as well was that when I repositioned the case and usb cable, it started dropping out again, It took a while to find a "happy" spot again but when I did the copy completed fine and I am now using the cloned drive internally. So a wonky usb cable may have been a factor also.

dnanian 04-18-2012 12:03 PM

I think we've all lost something in this transition to USB drives. Maybe thunderbolt, once more widely available (and more reasonably priced) will improve things...


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