MacBook doesn't recognize external hd

[Monte]

Hi,
After reformating my macbook, my macbook won't recognize my external hard drive. When I plug in the f/w the icon doesn't pop up on my desktop(like it usually does). I checked the power source, the external hd is on, and I checked my f/w and usb ports (they both work with other external hd and flash). I still need the data on my external hd, is there anything that I can do so my mac recognizes the hd?

Thanks!!!

 

[ebel3003]

Hi,
After reformating my macbook, my macbook won't recognize my external hard drive. When I plug in the f/w the icon doesn't pop up on my desktop(like it usually does). I checked the power source, the external hd is on, and I checked my f/w and usb ports (they both work with other external hd and flash). I still need the data on my external hd, is there anything that I can do so my mac recognizes the hd?

Thanks!!!

Do you have another Mac to test the external HD on? If so I'd try that to eliminate the possibility of the HD taking a plunge at a really bad time.

This is supposedly a problem that was introduced with the latest Mac OS patch (10.4.10) but was said to affect USB hard drives.

I'll google around a little more and see if I can uncover some kind of fix.

Edit: Another suggestion, have you tried "Zapping the PRAM"? (Boot while holding down the Command+Option+P+R keys until the computer "chimes" several times).

 

[Monte]

thanks for the suggestion, is resetting PRAM a lot of time bad? (what is PRAM? and how often is too often to reset it?)

 

[ebel3003]

thanks for the suggestion, is resetting PRAM a lot of time bad? (what is PRAM? and how often is too often to reset it?)

This page has a pretty good general overview of PRAM: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86194

I'd generally only reset your PRAM when you're having an issue.