Testing OWC backup drive

[novanut]

In a previous post, https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mini-2018.2354091/?post=31329662#post-31329662, I wrote for guidance on solutions for my mac mini's health. I'm currently following up on those suggestions. The mini is running sierra 10.12.6.

In the meantime, I'm trying to backup the mini using a 1tb OWC mercury elite pro. When powered up it would try and start and then power down (fan noise). I thought it was the power supply and ordered another. After receiving the replacement the same problem continued.

This time I feel it is either the drive or the enclosure (the drive and enclosure are a little over 2 years old).

I also own a 2006 mac pro running snow leopard os 10.6.8.

I was thinking about taking the OWC drive out of its enclosure and putting it in the mac pro just to see if it powers up thereby determining the cause being either the drive or the enclosure.

Is this a sane move? Or will it destroy both the drive and the mac pro?

Or should I check in to the nearest mental institution?

As always, thank you for your input(s).

 

[rpmurray]

I was thinking about taking the OWC drive out of its enclosure and putting it in the mac pro just to see if it powers up thereby determining the cause being either the drive or the enclosure.

Is this a sane move? Or will it destroy both the drive and the mac pro?

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me. It's what I'd do. Worst that can happen is the drive doesn't start up. There's zero chance that the drive or Mac Pro will burst into flame. This isn't like it's a Samsung smartphone.

 

[novanut]

Thank you.

Do you think the mac pro will be able to verify it? I'm sure it won't be able to read any 10.12.6 data.

 

[rpmurray]

Thank you.

Do you think the mac pro will be able to verify it? I'm sure it won't be able to read any 10.12.6 data.

The Mac Pro should be able to see that there is a drive there. But you're likely to get a dialog asking you if you want to initialize it if it's been formatted for APFS, which in 10.12.4 and above would only have happened if you deliberately choose to do that. If it's formatted as HFS+ then you should see it pop up on the desktop, assuming it's OK.

 

[novanut]

The Mac Pro should be able to see that there is a drive there. But you're likely to get a dialog asking you if you want to initialize it if it's been formatted for APFS, which in 10.12.4 and above would only have happened if you deliberately choose to do that. If it's formatted as HFS+ then you should see it pop up on the desktop, assuming it's OK.

Thanks again.

Not sure how it's formatted but your suggestions are very good. I'll give it a try and let you know.

 

[Fishrrman]

Tell us about the Mini you have.
What year it is?

Tell us about the external drive.
Is it a platter-based hard drive? Or is it an SSD?
If it's a platter-based HDD, is it a 3.5" drive or a 2.5" drive?
If it's a 3.5" drive, does the enclosure have its own power supply?

Tell us about HOW you intend to backup.
WHAT APP will you be using?
Time Machine?
Or... something else?

 

[novanut]

Tell us about the Mini you have.
What year it is?

Tell us about the external drive.
Is it a platter-based hard drive? Or is it an SSD?
If it's a platter-based HDD, is it a 3.5" drive or a 2.5" drive?
If it's a 3.5" drive, does the enclosure have its own power supply?

Tell us about HOW you intend to backup.
WHAT APP will you be using?
Time Machine?
Or... something else?

Thanks for the reply.

The mini is late 2014. I attached more info about the mini on my previous post.

The external is a 3.5 platter-based that uses an external power supply.

I've been using time machine. I also have carbon copy cloner.

I haven't removed the drive from its enclosure yet so I can't say whether the drive or enclosure is good or bad.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd suggest trying a different enclosure.

Hmmmm....
BETTER SOLUTION:
Instead of buying another "enclosure", get a USB3/SATA "docking station".
There are many available and they're downright cheap.

With a docking station, you can use any number of "bare" drives.
Just swap them out as required.

Something like this:

ORICO External Hard Drive Docking Station 3.5 USB 3.0 to SATA Dock Plug and Play Up to 12TB for 3.5''/2.5'' HDD SSD Support UASP with 3.3Ft USB Cable -6619US3

ORICO 6619US3 2.5" & 3.5" Hard Drive Docking Station is made engineer ABS, with highlight and grain treatment surface, it looks fashionable and textured. Built-in over current protection devices protect connected devices and the item itself from damage when the power is on, providing a safer user...

www.amazon.com

I WOULD NOT recommend a "2-bay" dock. Sometimes these can be problematic.
A "one-drive" dock is all you need.

 

[novanut]

The Mac Pro should be able to see that there is a drive there. But you're likely to get a dialog asking you if you want to initialize it if it's been formatted for APFS, which in 10.12.4 and above would only have happened if you deliberately choose to do that. If it's formatted as HFS+ then you should see it pop up on the desktop, assuming it's OK.

Here is what I discovered:

1. Removed drive from OWC enclosure and installed in the mac pro. It was not recognized by the mac pro.

2. Installed the drive that was in the mac pro (it shows up as good) and installed it in the OWC enclosure. Would not power up.

Do you think the enclosure is the problem or the OWC drive? Or maybe both?

Thanks.

 

[rpmurray]

When you installed the drive you removed from the OWC enclosure in the Mac Pro, did you go to About This Mac and run the System Report and see if it shows up in the SATA listing under Hardware? I don't re

Can you tell me exactly which Mercury Elite Pro enclosure you have and what drive was in it (3.5, 2.5, HD, SSD)? OWC have several different Mercury Pro Elite enclosures on their website.

 

[novanut]

When you installed the drive you removed from the OWC enclosure in the Mac Pro, did you go to About This Mac and run the System Report and see if it shows up in the SATA listing under Hardware? I don't re

Can you tell me exactly which Mercury Elite Pro enclosure you have and what drive was in it (3.5, 2.5, HD, SSD)? OWC have several different Mercury Pro Elite enclosures on their website.

After I installed the (3.5) OWC drive in the mac pro I ran a disk utility. That did not show the drive. The about this mac also did not show the OWC drive.

 

[novanut]

I'd suggest trying a different enclosure.

Hmmmm....
BETTER SOLUTION:
Instead of buying another "enclosure", get a USB3/SATA "docking station".
There are many available and they're downright cheap.

With a docking station, you can use any number of "bare" drives.
Just swap them out as required.

Something like this:

ORICO External Hard Drive Docking Station 3.5 USB 3.0 to SATA Dock Plug and Play Up to 12TB for 3.5''/2.5'' HDD SSD Support UASP with 3.3Ft USB Cable -6619US3

ORICO 6619US3 2.5" & 3.5" Hard Drive Docking Station is made engineer ABS, with highlight and grain treatment surface, it looks fashionable and textured. Built-in over current protection devices protect connected devices and the item itself from damage when the power is on, providing a safer user...

www.amazon.com

I WOULD NOT recommend a "2-bay" dock. Sometimes these can be problematic.
A "one-drive" dock is all you need.

Would I be able to back up the mini using a docking station? What is the difference between a docking station and an external back up drive?

Apologies for being so computer illiterate.

 

[rpmurray]

Would I be able to back up the mini using a docking station? What is the difference between a docking station and an external back up drive?

Apologies for being so computer illiterate.

A docking station would be something like this or that. Instead of an enclosure that completely contains the drive, the dock works more like a toaster where you insert the drive like a slice of bread. Nowadays they usually come with USB connections although OWC used to have a model that had Thunderbolt 2.

 

[novanut]

A docking station would be something like this or that. Instead of an enclosure that completely contains the drive, the dock works more like a toaster where you insert the drive like a slice of bread. Nowadays they usually come with USB connections although OWC used to have a model that had Thunderbolt 2.

Thanks again.

I guess that means I could backup the mini to the docking station?

 

[rpmurray]

Thanks again.

I guess that means I could backup the mini to the docking station?

Yes, you connect the dock to the mini just like you would do an external enclosure and then insert a bare drive into the dock.

 

[Fishrrman]

A USB3/SATA dock will be one of the most useful pieces of hardware you ever buy.
I have one that's at least 15 years old, still going strong.

And a few others, too.

 

[novanut]

A USB3/SATA dock will be one of the most useful pieces of hardware you ever buy.
I have one that's at least 15 years old, still going strong.

And a few others, too.

Thanks for your suggestion.

I bought one and was able to use the backup from the OWC enclosure to back up the mini. That proved to me that the enclosure was the problem.

Just wondering now about how to store the 'bare' drive. Would using a zip lock bag to keep the dust away harm the drive? Or is that even necessary?

Thanks again!

 

[rpmurray]

Just wondering now about how to store the 'bare' drive. Would using a zip lock bag to keep the dust away harm the drive? Or is that even necessary?

Drives are sealed so there's not much chance of dust affecting them as long as you blow off the dust before plugging it in. A zip lock bag would work for that. There are also plastic cases, sort of like the ones for VHS tapes, that are sold to store drives.

 

[HDFan]

Would using a zip lock bag to keep the dust away harm the drive? Or is that even necessary?

A zip lock bag would work for that. There are also plastic cases, sort of like the ones for VHS tapes, that are sold to store drives.

Such as

ORICO 5 Packs 3.5inch Hard Drive Case Protective Box Storage Case Cover Organization Shell for Shockproof Slashproof and Dustproof for Gray-PHI-5S

www.amazon.com

It is also best to put the disk in an anti-static bag:

YiwerDer 50Pcs Antistatic Resealable Bag 15X20cm/5.9X7.9inch, Premium Anti Static Bag for SSD HDD and Other Electronic Devices

YiwerDer 50Pcs Antistatic Resealable Bag 15X20cm/5.9X7.9inch, Premium Anti Static Bag for SSD HDD and Other Electronic Devices

www.amazon.com

 

[novanut]

Drives are sealed so there's not much chance of dust affecting them as long as you blow off the dust before plugging it in. A zip lock bag would work for that. There are also plastic cases, sort of like the ones for VHS tapes, that are sold to store drives.

Thanks again!

Y'all have been a great help!