External drive that only works with adapter USB-A to USB-C??

[tomasltt]

Hello!

 

I have a SeaGate Backup Plus Hub 8TB external hard drive. I think at the beginning it used to work fine with the micro-B to USB-A cable. Currently, neither OS X nor Windows pick the drive up (Disk Utility / Disk Management respectively) although it appears on System Information (I don't know the Windows equivalent)

 

I've tried formatting APFS, exFAT, MS-DOS. They all end up with the same behavior:

- If I connect drive » micro type-B to usb-A cable » usb-A cable to usb-c cable (hub or not) » usb-c port » sparks joy :)

- If I connect drive » micro type-B to usb-A cable » usb-A port » does not spark joy :(

 

I have no idea what went wrong, and as it seems a software issue (all diagnostics pass when using an adapter) I would like to prevent opening it and using the disk in a different way, since chances are (according to ifixit guide) that I won't be able to open it without breaking the hinges.

 

I've tried an iMac, a macbook M1, and a windows PC, and they all observe the same behavior.

 

Ideas?

[jaslion]

Cable is possibly damaged and the usb c connection forces a bit more power through it so it connects.

[HanZie82]

90% sure its the external case.
Take it out, connect it and the drive itself will most likely work perfectly fine.

I dont know how manufacturers do it but external HDD cases are absolutely dogshite hardware.
Sorry for my language, but i tried to keep it nice.

[tomasltt]

I totally hear you both. I do agree that HDD cases suck, which is why I have other tools. Sadly this is my wife's disk. I guess I'll inherit it and buy her a new one. Thanks