Reformat WD 4TB external

[NancyA]

I had keys on keyboard not work after they did a new hard drive on my matchbook pro 16 in 2023; 64 GB memory; sequoia 15.4.1; 2 TB.  For some idiotic reason they wiped my hard drive to fix a key so I'm back fixing loose ends again!  I used Time Machine back up to get everything back up and going.  I am now trying to do a new backup as everything is almost back to normal.  When I used the same external, 1st time it froze up at about 32% complete, I canceled it and started over. It said about 3 hrs so I went to bed and forgot to check it first thing this morning.  At 11 hrs it was not quite 50% and said would take 11 more hrs.  and both computer and external were hot hot! So, I cancelled again.  I use a 4TB WD for backup.  At this point I backed up to a 2 TB SSD external in about 45 min. but this is only temporary as it isn't large enough for long term use.  I am hoping if I reformat the 4TB WD that that issue will be resolved.  Is that correct or do I just need a new external.   I did a search and was trying to follow this thread to reformat: https://ask.damiensymonds.net/topic/57543-external-hard-drive/#comment-403792.  But of course issue isn't exact so ran into first question.  Partitions are so out of my league so I'm clueless.  Is this what it should be?  I don't have an "apply" option without doing something but not sure what that something is?????

Thanks!

 

[Brian]

Honestly? It sounds like there is something wrong with that WD External Drive. I feel that it might have a bad sector or two. Or the Partition is somehow screwed up and we need to delete things and then create a fresh partition. Now, you might have already done this, but I'm typing this somewhere else from you. So humor me.  

Head to Applications Folder >> Utilities >> Disk Utility:

From there, select the WD Passport Drive that you are dorking around with. For my example, I'm going to choose my external Sandisk Drive.

Then towards the top, you should see "Erase." Click Erase.

A pop up box will appear, asking your what name you want to call the HD, and what Partition Type. Since your EHD is a traditional / spinning external drive, you want macOS Extended (Journaled) and make sure you DO NOT SELECT "ENCRYPTED" ANYTHING!  Plain macOS Extended Journaled is just fine.

Click Erase and wait a few seconds and it should clear things out. Before you use it for Time Machine, see if you can copy a file or two over to it. Then erase those files.

Now, the newer macOS versions do not ask you if you want to use that drive for Time Machine, you will now need to do it in the System Settings App. (Gear Icon on the Dockbar.) Once you open Settings, head to General and then Time Machine:

Once in the Time Machine Preferences, click the + Icon to add your WD External HD for Time Machine to use:

Again, for my example, I'm going to choose my Sandisk SSD Drive:

Then click Set Up Disk...

Follow the prompts, etc.

NOW!!!

If you have already done this, I'd say replacing that WD External HD is your next step. If it fails again at 30%, 50% or hangs up at 90%...I DO NOT CARE, DITCH THAT DRIVE!!!

Report back with your results.  

[NancyA]

I had not done this yet.  Was waiting to see what you thought.  I did the erase and it backed up with no issues other than took several hours which I think would be expected.  I'm still a little skeptical of it and it ever fails again I'll ditch it!  It is fairly new but I know in reality that means nothing.  

Thank you!

[Brian]

NYeah, the first full backup on a freshly formatted EHD for TM takes a few hours. Especially if you are using plain old USB 3.0. Thunderbolt Drives are WAY faster. For Time Machine though, a USB 3.0 Drive is fine. After a few runs of Time Machine, it does incremental backups which are really only the “changes” to the files, so it’s faster. 
 

Keep an eye on things, but I think you are fine with a freshly created partition.