External HD Suddenly not writeable

[gabrieljones10]

Hi,
Just to be clear, I'm not super savvy with this stuff...so be gentle. I'm on a mid 2015 MBP running Sierra 10.12.3. I just purchased and plugged in a USB hub (Sabrent 4-Part USB 3.0 Hub -- here's the Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JX1ZS5O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Two problems:
1) It killed my wireless. When it's plugged in, my computer can't find my router. Unplugged, I"m good. Maybe it's jacking with the antenna (I read something about this being a design flaw for MBPs).
2) I've been using a WD 8TB external for work for a few months. Now, after plugging it into the hub, the drive is no longer writeable! I've since removed the USB hub and rebooted multiple times. The only way to discover the external HD was in disk utility. Now it shows up in my finder, but I still cannot save files whatsoever.
This is an external HD I use every day. Zero probs until I used the USB hub (probably a rookie mistake...please forgive my stupidity!)

Thanks so much for any help you can provide!

Gabe

 

[Fishrrman]

"It killed my wireless. When it's plugged in, my computer can't find my router. Unplugged, I"m good. Maybe it's jacking with the antenna (I read something about this being a design flaw for MBPs)."

USB3 does sometimes interfere with wifi.
Do you still have the problems if you plug the hub into the RIGHT SIDE of the MacBook?

"I've been using a WD 8TB external for work for a few months. Now, after plugging it into the hub, the drive is no longer writeable! I've since removed the USB hub and rebooted multiple times. The only way to discover the external HD was in disk utility. Now it shows up in my finder, but I still cannot save files whatsoever."

Try this (read carefully):
1. Connect the external drive, let the icon mount on the desktop, but DON'T try to open it.
2. Type "command-i" (eye) to bring up the "get info" box
3. Towards the bottom of get info is "sharing and permissions". If you can't see it, click the "disclosure arrow" to reveal it.
4. Click ONE TIME on the lock and enter your password
5. Put a check into the box "ignore ownership on this volume"
6. Close the get info box.

Now try saving a file to the external drive.
Does anything change?

 

[gabrieljones10]

Fisherrman, thanks for the reply!

I followed your instructions, however after typing in my password to unlock I don't see any checkbox for "ignore ownership on this volume." It takes quite a while for the HD to mount and once it does I get a warning that Time Machine couldn't back up to it or repair the disk and I need to backup and then repair.

 

[dianeoforegon]

Run Disk Utility > First Aid on the drive. It's possible you will have to erase and reformat the drive to repair. This will erase all data on the drive.

Have you tried plugging the drive directly into your Mac and bypass the hub?

 

[gabrieljones10]

Run Disk Utility > First Aid on the drive. It's possible you will have to erase and reformat the drive to repair. This will erase all data on the drive.

Have you tried plugging the drive directly into your Mac and bypass the hub?

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I've eliminated the hub completely but it didn't change anything. I even downloaded two different Paragon drivers, but that failed as well.
[doublepost=1490706679][/doublepost]I have purchased a new 8TB HD and am currently in the process of transferring my 4TB of data over to it. I've also contacted Sabrent and they want me to send the hub to them so they can run tests on it. Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I even downloaded two different Paragon drivers, but that failed as well."

Hmmm... this may be the source of the problem.

I'm going to -guess- the drive is not in a "Mac format"? (i.e., HFS+)

IF the NEW drive you've bought is going to be used exclusively with a Mac, I would suggest that you format (initialize) it for HFS+ with journaling enabled.

It can save a lot of trouble in the long run...