First Mac owner in need of help

[will25u]

Hi guys,

I just bought a new mac mini to get some exposure to the world of macs and I'm having a little trouble updating to the newest software update.

When I first logged in to my computer I saw a 10.8.2 update but then it disappeared. I tried looking for the update in the app store and by the check updates button and I cant find anything.

Another problem I have is that my external hdd dock keeps disconnecting if I leave it idle and I have to unplug, turn it off, plug it back and then turn it on again. Its a real pain.

Can anyone help me on these 2 issues?

 

[Spink10]

Did some how you actually install 10.8.2?

Go to the top left corner and click the - About this Mac - Under OS X it will say 10.8.x

Not sure about the external drive - what external drive are you using?

 

[will25u]

Ok I just checked again after a restart and it now shows the update.. that was kinda weird.

I'm using a plugable usb 3.0 dock.

http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Docking-Station-ASMedia-Chipset/dp/B003UI62AG

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OK I just found out that the dock that I have has compatibility issues with new macs. Thanks for helping anyways.

*NOTE* 2012 Mac Mini and 2012 MacBook Pro with Retina Display are currently not recommended for use with this product, pending latest updates from Apple. USB 3.0 hubs are still maturing - dock may not work through some hubs with older chipsets or firmware (connect directly to computer in these cases). No drivers required: uses standard USB mass storage class support already provided in Windows XP and later, Mac, and Linux. LED reports drive activity. Power switch allows drive to be turned on/off independently.

 

[Spink10]

Glad update is now working - too bad about the external drive. Looks nice!

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I'm using a plugable usb 3.0 dock.

http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Docking-Station-ASMedia-Chipset/dp/B003UI62AG

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OK I just found out that the dock that I have has compatibility issues with new macs. Thanks for helping anyways.

I'm using that same USB 3.0 Plugable dock with my 2012 Mac Mini as my Time Machine drive. Backups run every other hour (it alternates with my NAS) and has never hiccuped. Every Sunday I turn it off, swap disks, and turn it back on - other than that it never gets touched. Surprised to hear that it's giving some people problems, if there's any info I can provide on my usage just PM me.

Edit: I see on Plugable's website that shipments of this dock after 1/15/2013 use an ASMedia chipset; prior docks (like mine) use LucidPort. Currently their statement on Macs reads "When using with the latest 2012/2013 Macs, we recommend connecting the SATA Docking Station directly to a USB 3.0 port on your computer. Compatibility of USB 3.0 hubs on the latest 2012/2013 Macs is still evolving, and problematic hubs may cause disconnect issues."

 

[will25u]

Mines the luciport one too. I bought it awhile ago and was using it on my pc with no issues.

I found a fix for it though, i had to turn off the power saving option to turn off hard disk when idle and now i have no problems with disconnects.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Another problem I have is that my external hdd dock keeps disconnecting if I leave it idle and I have to unplug, turn it off, plug it back and then turn it on again. Its a real pain."

Contact Plugable on this one.

The earlier version of the Plugable dock you own was made with a Lucid Technology controller chip that has problems with the Mac version of USB3. They have a replacement out (looks the same externally) that now uses an ASMedia controller and this corrects the "random disconnect" problem with Macs.

Although I have not had the problem (I have a slightly different Plugable dock, see below), from what I've read (amazon.com user reviews) Plugable is very accomodating with Mac users who have this problem.

I suggest you send them an email or give them a call.

The Plugable dock I have is this one:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00APP6694...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00APP6694

Here's the performance I get with it (using an Intel 520 series SSD):
(With speeds like this, why spend the extra $$ for Thunderbolt, or even mess with opening the case?)