I want to export all the information from my old Mac (the circular one) to a ThunderBolt 4 hard drive.

I have a ThunderBolt 2 cable and the corresponding adapter, but the external hard drive will not mount on my old Mac.

Mac Pro (2019)

Posted on Apr 3, 2024 8:16 AM

Reply
2 replies
Sort By: 

Apr 3, 2024 8:32 AM in response to gnashx

Each and every new drive needs to be Disk Utility ERASED by its immutable manufacturer-given Device-name before it can be used on a a Mac. Be sure to select "show all devices" from the tiny show menu.


Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support



.

Reply

Apr 4, 2024 7:07 AM in response to gnashx

By "circular Mac Pro", I take it that you mean the Mac Pro (Late 2013) desktop, a.k.a. "trash can", which has six Thunderbolt 2 ports. That would imply that you are using the Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter to plug in your Thunderbolt drive.


The adapter only translates Thunderbolt. It does not carry power from one side to another. If that drive is a bus-powered one and it is plugged into the adapter (not into a Thunderbolt dock that has its own power supply), that configuration will not work because the drive will not be receiving any power.


If that is the case, you need to

  • Plug the drive into its own power supply (if it is one that can optionally take external power),
  • Get a powered Thunderbolt 3/4 dock and put it between the adapter and the bus-powered drive, or
  • Get a USB hard drive or SSD. (This could be one with a USB-C plug, if you used the right adapter)
Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

I want to export all the information from my old Mac (the circular one) to a ThunderBolt 4 hard drive.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.