Intel Duo iMac (2007-8) running 10.6.8 is having trouble with external disks:
- it sometimes fails to mount Lacie USB backup drives
- it sometimes fails to eject a firewire ext hard drive
- it sometimes improperly ejects the disks, causing them damage
- disk utility sometimes says it can't repair the disks, sometimes does, although increasingly 'can't repair'
- the connections of external disks do not hold. This is partly (but only partly) due to crap design of the external drive USB and Firewire connectors which over time with much use get pushed back further into the case, so the connection is intermittent and sensitive to bumping the computer or drive or moving the cable slightly - will cause an immediate improper ejection.
- it fails to eject a just 'burned successfully' DVD (via either Disk Utility eject or the media eject key) and on inspection in Disk Utility the DVD shows as 'needs to be repaired' but can't be because it's a closed volume no longer writable, and 'eject' is greyed out.
I have done DAYS AND DAYS of testing and troubleshooting, and concluded:
- the external device connections are worn and the design is bad (have told Lacie), but it's not just that.
It's not the USB ports; not the cables alone; not the drives alone; not the OS version (10.7 and 10.6.8) and not just the computer (iMac desktop) and Air laptop, because it's also having trouble with DVDs.
I'm now sure that the iMac is having trouble with its ability to connect with and mount disks in general, and to recognize and read them.
I know some will say: get a new computer, but I'm on a disability pension; don't have $6,000 to buy new computer and replace all licensed software and peripherals.
Done lots of Google research, read forums, etc, and everyone keeps suggesting ways of handling defective external drives, but no-one gives clues on how to fix the iMac's own problem with mounting, ejecting, recognizing and reading external drives and media.
So my question is: Is there some function that controls mount points, etc, that I can work on with Terminal or some safe, effective diagnostic and repair program that doesn't cost megabucks?
- it sometimes fails to mount Lacie USB backup drives
- it sometimes fails to eject a firewire ext hard drive
- it sometimes improperly ejects the disks, causing them damage
- disk utility sometimes says it can't repair the disks, sometimes does, although increasingly 'can't repair'
- the connections of external disks do not hold. This is partly (but only partly) due to crap design of the external drive USB and Firewire connectors which over time with much use get pushed back further into the case, so the connection is intermittent and sensitive to bumping the computer or drive or moving the cable slightly - will cause an immediate improper ejection.
- it fails to eject a just 'burned successfully' DVD (via either Disk Utility eject or the media eject key) and on inspection in Disk Utility the DVD shows as 'needs to be repaired' but can't be because it's a closed volume no longer writable, and 'eject' is greyed out.
I have done DAYS AND DAYS of testing and troubleshooting, and concluded:
- the external device connections are worn and the design is bad (have told Lacie), but it's not just that.
It's not the USB ports; not the cables alone; not the drives alone; not the OS version (10.7 and 10.6.8) and not just the computer (iMac desktop) and Air laptop, because it's also having trouble with DVDs.
I'm now sure that the iMac is having trouble with its ability to connect with and mount disks in general, and to recognize and read them.
I know some will say: get a new computer, but I'm on a disability pension; don't have $6,000 to buy new computer and replace all licensed software and peripherals.
Done lots of Google research, read forums, etc, and everyone keeps suggesting ways of handling defective external drives, but no-one gives clues on how to fix the iMac's own problem with mounting, ejecting, recognizing and reading external drives and media.
So my question is: Is there some function that controls mount points, etc, that I can work on with Terminal or some safe, effective diagnostic and repair program that doesn't cost megabucks?