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FoxFifth

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 18, 2012
262
2
I have a MacBook Air running OSX 10.8.4 and a G Drive Mini external USB drive that I connect a couple of times a week for Time Machine backups. I recently turned FileVault on for both the Air and the external drive. Before I did that I could eject the external drive and immediately unplug it. If I listened closely I could hear the drive stop spinning immediately after I ejected it.

After turning FileVault on when I eject the drive it continues to spin and if I unplug it I hear a nasty sounding click coming from the external drive. I finally found that if I eject the drive and wait about 7 minutes it will finally stop spinning and I can unplug it without it making the click. I'm assuming that the click is a bad sign and that the drive shouldn't be unplugged while it is still spinning. There isn't any visual indication -- as soon as I click the eject button the drive disappears and would seem to be safe to unplug. I've done a lot of searching online and couldn't find anyone reporting anything similar.

I'm assuming this is related to FileVault but recognize that it could be something else happening and just coincidental that it started when I turned FileVault on.
 

Zerthis

macrumors newbie
Jul 28, 2013
12
0
I'm assuming this is related to FileVault but recognize that it could be something else happening and just coincidental that it started when I turned FileVault on.

I've noticed the same issue since turning on FileVault on both my MacBook Pro (OS X 10.8.4) and my external HDD, which I use in combination with Time Machine.

It takes ages for it to stop spinning. Before using FileVault it would stop spinning immediately. I don't have an explanation for this, but you're not the only one.
 

FoxFifth

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 18, 2012
262
2
Thanks for letting me know that you are seeing this too. I was beginning to think it might be a problem with my external drive unrelated to FileVault when I couldn't find any other discussions or reports of this.
 

nitagale

macrumors newbie
Sep 9, 2013
1
0
Me too

WD 1TB external drive keeps getting ejected and then on restart not mounting
 
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