2006 Intel Mac Mini Hangs at Bootup when Ext. HHD is Attached

[Coolcatfish]

Hello,

The title is the problem really. I have an intel mac mini running 10.6.1 or whatever the latest update is but the problem has always existed since 10.4.

I have a WD MyBook external connected via USB which causes the machine to hang if I try to boot it with the drive hooked up. It will play the initial chime, then it will repeat the chine over and over (the Apple logo won't appear). Then if I pull the USB out it'll display the apple and start to boot normally. The external is mac formatted in a single 300gb partition.

If you have any ideas I'd love to here them. Sorry if this post leaves a lot to be desired, I've written it on my phone!

Thanks

 

[optophobia]

Hello,

The title is the problem really. I have an intel mac mini running 10.6.1 or whatever the latest update is but the problem has always existed since 10.4.

I have a WD MyBook external connected via USB which causes the machine to hang if I try to boot it with the drive hooked up. It will play the initial chime, then it will repeat the chine over and over (the Apple logo won't appear). Then if I pull the USB out it'll display the apple and start to boot normally. The external is mac formatted in a single 300gb partition.

If you have any ideas I'd love to here them. Sorry if this post leaves a lot to be desired, I've written it on my phone!

Thanks

Maybe it is trying to boot FROM the external HDD. How often do you have to boot your mac anyway ? Just boot it without it connected and then connect afterwards. Problem solved.
I reboot my mac mini about once every 6 months or so...