External Hard Drive not recognized at all

[horace528]

Hello MacRumor Forums
Recently, my Mac cannot reconized my External Hard Drive at ALL. I mean that it does not even pop up in Disk Utility, so I cannot try to fix the Hard Drive at ALL.
I have NO idea why it is not working. I do need the things inside it too fast, as It has all my important stuff on a project due tomorrow.
Any tips on how to fix my External Hard Drive? Sorry if this post is too vague. I'm in a VERY big hurry.

 

[Razzerman II]

If you can, try it on a different Mac/PC. I had a similar problem, and for no apparent reason at all, it just started working normally having not mounted for weeks and weeks.

Ray

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Have you tried an SMC reset yet?

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) (Apple Support Site)​

It sometimes helped with wonky external HDDs, but is not a sure way to work.
How does the HDD connect to what Mac using what Mac OS X version?
Do you have any other Mac or computer to try the HDD with? Does the HDD have any other interfaces (Firewire, USB, ...) that you could use and what interface do you use?

 

[horace528]

I have a bridge-type USB connector for my external HD.
It connects, and the light on the HD turns on to indicate that it is connected to the Mac, but it is not recognized on the computer.
I tried it with 2 other Windows laptops. Both are unsuccessful.
I will try doing that SMC reset. Hope it works...

 

[Dweez]

How did you attempt to see the drive on the windows boxes? Via My Computer -> Manage -> Disk Management?

 

[horace528]

Have you tried an SMC reset yet?

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) (Apple Support Site)​

It sometimes helped with wonky external HDDs, but is not a sure way to work.
How does the HDD connect to what Mac using what Mac OS X version?
Do you have any other Mac or computer to try the HDD with? Does the HDD have any other interfaces (Firewire, USB, ...) that you could use and what interface do you use?

I don't think that worked out. my external HD is still locked from my Mac.

 

[Fishrrman]

"I have a bridge-type USB connector for my external HD.
It connects, and the light on the HD turns on to indicate that it is connected to the Mac, but it is not recognized on the computer.
I tried it with 2 other Windows laptops. Both are unsuccessful"

Hmmm... could the bridge itself be the component that has gone bad on you?

You might consider one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...ords=usb3+sata+dock&rh=i:aps,k:usb3+sata+dock
(many items shown, all work the same, just pick one you like that's cheap)

 

[horace528]

Actually, what I mean is that I have a little wire with a USB connector on one end, and a little other connector to connect with the external hard drive on the other end.
Here's a picture:

I'll also put an attachment.