Event - inserting a USB key into a mac
I'm new to macs.
1. When inserting a USB flash drive into an iMac, nothing seems to happen unlike MS Windows where you get a notification in the system tray. I know you can view it in Finder but is this normal to occur?
2. What is the point of ejecting a USB - I dont understand that concept, its not like a CD that will jump out. Also if you decide you still need it, it disappears from Finder, so how to bring it back without having to exercise and travel around i.e. fiddle in the most stupid of places to stick a USB port (because god forbid, we might need to actually use such inconvenient locations)
Thanks.
1. When inserting a USB flash drive into an iMac, nothing seems to happen unlike MS Windows where you get a notification in the system tray. I know you can view it in Finder but is this normal to occur?
2. What is the point of ejecting a USB - I dont understand that concept, its not like a CD that will jump out. Also if you decide you still need it, it disappears from Finder, so how to bring it back without having to exercise and travel around i.e. fiddle in the most stupid of places to stick a USB port (because god forbid, we might need to actually use such inconvenient locations)
Thanks.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Keith Brown
As far as upon inserting, there really isn't much need for a notification. Windows is really the only one that notifies you upon success. If you are doing something that requires a physical activity, such as inserting a disk, why pop something up telling you that you inserted the disk? OSX just pops up a notification if there was an issue of some sort. It keeps things simple, and doesn't get in the way.
ASKER
Ok but you haven't addressed the issue about reusing the USB flash drive once you have unmounted it but not removed it from the physical port.
I think you can remount a dismounted USB key using Disk Utility. (Pull down the file menu to "mount").
ASKER
not sure what you mean by pull down the file menu to mount it, as there is no file menu in finder?
It is not in Finder. Disk Utility is a separate app in the Applications directory. (I don't remember exactly where, I have it moved to a subfolder called Utilities in my Apps directory).
When you run disk utility, it will list every drive attached, and will give you the option to mount or unmount it. If you've ejected, but not removed it, you have to start Disk Utility, select the drive in Disk Utility, and there should be an button for Mount.
When you run disk utility, it will list every drive attached, and will give you the option to mount or unmount it. If you've ejected, but not removed it, you have to start Disk Utility, select the drive in Disk Utility, and there should be an button for Mount.
/Applications/utilities/Di
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
abdb469, hopefully one of us was able to answer your question. If you have more questions, please post back.
ASKER
Sorry for the delay all. I have looked in disk utilities, but it does not show the USB drive there. Ok I know I can just unplug it and plug it in again, but to close off this point, Id like to know how to do this.
You cant mount a drive that is not listed.
You cant mount a drive that is not listed.
Ok, if it is completely gone from Disk Utility, then there isn't a nice friendly mac way to do it, but there is a way to do it from the commandline
The caveat to this is it will reload ALL attached USB devices.
kextunload IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext;
kextload /System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBMassStorageClass.kextThe caveat to this is it will reload ALL attached USB devices.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
I'm sorry to say, but this is poor show from Apple. First some moron designs the iMac so that you cant see or properly feel the darn USB port at the back of the computer and to top it, if you eject a USB drive, you have to start playing with command line code to get it going again?
Firstly I cant believe Apple over all people, could not stick the USB ports to the side of the computer like any 10 year old would tell you is easier to reach (ok so they want to keep the front clean and sharp). But why be impractical in the first place.....anyway off topic...rant over.
So basically to conclude, either I reboot my mac or unplug the usb and reconnect again to see it? No way of otherwise mounting the drive?
Firstly I cant believe Apple over all people, could not stick the USB ports to the side of the computer like any 10 year old would tell you is easier to reach (ok so they want to keep the front clean and sharp). But why be impractical in the first place.....anyway off topic...rant over.
So basically to conclude, either I reboot my mac or unplug the usb and reconnect again to see it? No way of otherwise mounting the drive?
Isn't there a USB slot in your keyboard?
ASKER
No. Got the small wireless one
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Yes, that is the other option I was considering....nevertheles
Ok thanks all. Looks like unplugging and replugging or rebooting is the simplest answer at this stage.
Ok thanks all. Looks like unplugging and replugging or rebooting is the simplest answer at this stage.