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PaunchT

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 2, 2024
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I just purchased a new M4 Mac Mini to replace my 2013 27-inch iMac. I had a Lacie 2Big TBT 6TB raid drive connected to the old iMac via Thunderbolt 2 cable. The Lacie drive only has Thunderbolt 2 ports. I tried the Apple TB2 to TB3 adapter, but the mini still wouldn't activate the Lacie drive. I tried a TB2 to ethernet connecter, too, and that didn't work. I know the Lacie drive is old, but I don't want to abandon it. Hoping for some solution.
 
I bet you had a system extension installed on your iMac that isn't installed on your new Mini. If you migrated to the Mini, it might already be there waiting to be enabled:


If that doesn't work, you might have to find the latest installer for the seagate software that supports your drive and install it.

 
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I bet you had a system extension installed on your iMac that isn't installed on your new Mini. If you migrated to the Mini, it might already be there waiting to be enabled:


If that doesn't work, you might have to find the latest installer for the seagate software that supports your drive and install it.

Thanks chabig -- I didn't get a "blocked alert" when I tried to connect, the raid drive just wouldn't turn on. I might have the system extension already migrated over because I have another Seagate 4TB drive that plugged into the new mini just fine (through a USB hub), and the Seagate toolkit software for that drive came over and is mirroring folders on the mini. In the mini's system settings, there are no apps or software showing blocked in the privacy and security tab.
 
Thanks chabig -- I didn't get a "blocked alert" when I tried to connect, the raid drive just wouldn't turn on. I might have the system extension already migrated over because I have another Seagate 4TB drive that plugged into the new mini just fine (through a USB hub), and the Seagate toolkit software for that drive came over and is mirroring folders on the mini. In the mini's system settings, there are no apps or software showing blocked in the privacy and security tab.
Searching the Seagate/Lacie website, I discovered they consider the 2Big TBT 1 drive like mine obsolete. So, I'm guessing whatever system extension or software I may be missing wouldn't have migrated over and would not have been updated to be compatible with the M4 mini.
 
That might be, but I don't think their drivers that run on Sonoma wouldn't run on Sequoia. You say the drive wouldn't turn on. Do you really mean that? If true, maybe the drive's power supply has failed, or during the move you didn't get the power or data cables firmly seated.

It would be unfortunate if it's unsupported. But if so, consider replacing the drive and copying the data before you get rid of the iMac.
 
That might be, but I don't think their drivers that run on Sonoma wouldn't run on Sequoia. You say the drive wouldn't turn on. Do you really mean that? If true, maybe the drive's power supply has failed, or during the move you didn't get the power or data cables firmly seated.

It would be unfortunate if it's unsupported. But if so, consider replacing the drive and copying the data before you get rid of the iMac.
Unless OP was rockin' OCLP his iMac wouldn't see Sonoma let alone Sequoia, Crapalina was the max OS it supported. If OP still has the iMac it would rule out a drive issue.
 
Unless OP was rockin' OCLP his iMac wouldn't see Sonoma let alone Sequoia, Crapalina was the max OS it supported. If OP still has the iMac it would rule out a drive issue.
The Lacie 2Big still works fine with my old iMac (running 10.15.7) due to the TB2 to TB2 connection. But it wouldn't fire up with a TB2 to TB3 adapter into the Mini. I think it's something about the driver/extension.
 
I seem to remember when looking for a new DAS that the promise drivers might work with Lacie, could try the power of google or solution might be in here - https://forums.developer.apple.com/forums/thread/669095

It's why I didn't go down the LaCie route.
Thanks, McScooby -- I read through the thread and got to where Lacie provided a solution when you download the latest version of their RAID manager software. That was for an M1 Mini. I'm going to try it, and see if it works with the M4.
 
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Your LaCie 2Big drive is not restricted to TB only, right? Isn't there a USB-A port on the bottom left corner of the front panel.
All you need is a USB-A to USB-C adapter or cable. Won't be as fast as Thunderbolt, but will at least be usable
 
This is a 2013 vintage 2Big. It's a vertical silver, louvered case with a large blue button on the front. It has only two ports, both Thunderbolt 2.
 
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I have an old lacie rugged drive that worked on my M1, on my current M4 I get the error message "cannot use thunderbolt accessory - connect accessory to a thunderbolt port on this Mac" if I don't plug it into one of the rear thunderbolt ports (using the TB2>TB3 adapter). Even the studio display ports had the same error message.
 
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