Question 1

I have an early 2009 iMac. I believe the USB is 2.0. How can I connect with the 3.0 USB?

Accepted Answer

USB 3.0 should be backward compatible with USB 2.0.  Whatever is connected will run at the slower USB 2.0 speed.  So to answer your question, you don't have to do anything.

Question 2

Under "overview", this shows this drive comes with a thunderbolt adapter...
Under "specifications" it does not mention anything about thunderbolt.
Does this particular drive come with OR without the thunderbolt adapter?  I DO UNDERSTAND ONE CAN BE ADDED...I need to know if it is included in this deal.

Accepted Answer

Does not come with thunderbolt adapter.  Although, since this is a hard drive and not a SSD, the drive is not fast enough to benefit from thunderbolt anyways.  The included usb 3.0 cable will move the data at maximum speed for this drive.

Question 3

Can you take this hard drive and hook it to a mac and transfer files to it then hook it to a PC without having to reformat it and transfer files to the PC from the hard drive?

Accepted Answer

I purchased this drive for my PC. Although it says it can be used for both the only thing I needed to do was install a specified driver in my PC to allow it to run. I did not need to do anything to the drive itself. I simply drag and drop files over to it rather than use the back up software that came with it as it was somewhat anoying as is common with these types of hardware. 
 It may be in your case that you will need to see if a PC can see and read MAC extension type files.

Question 4

Is this drive backward compatible with USB 1?

Accepted Answer

I'm so sorry, but you're definitely asking the wrong person!  I'm not very knowledgeable about computers, etc. I bought this for my daughter for Christmas & even she's not sure it's the right one. Good luck!

Question 5

If my Macbook Air is busted (can't locate harddrive) will this storage unit be able to download the new version of Mountain Lion on it and act as the computers actualy harddrive?

Accepted Answer

1.  Restore from Time Machine backup
2.  Reinstall OS X
3.  Get Help Online
4.  Disk Utility

The above are the options given when selecting the drive from the boot options.  This is using Time Machine on the drive, of course.  Forcing the system to use an external drive--acting as the operating system, see--would be (my guess here) a problem because it runs off a usb port.  My suggestion is to swap out the bade drive and let Time Machine do the formatting with the new drive.  You cannot have gorilla-hands when you get in there to do it, okay.

Question 6

I wonder if this one really comes with a thunderbolt adapter? If so, I   
will definitely buy it.

Accepted Answer

no it does not, that is extra.

Question 7

On MacMini 2012 (with USB-3) ... Will it Spin-Down when not in use but Mac is awake? Will it Spin-Down when Mac is asleep. Will it Spin-Down and/or Turn off when Mac is Shut-Down?

Accepted Answer

Yes it will spin down and sleep in all three cases mentioned.

Question 8

how do i upgrade to thunderbolt tech?

Accepted Answer

The drive as shipped looks to be USB3. The Thunderbolt adapter is an extra item purchased separately. The promotional material and box contents listing appear to be a web site typo.
Here is a tip if you do buy the Thunderbolt adapter. It also functions as a Thunderbolt drive dock for bare 2.5" drives! All the GoFlex portable drive adapters use a standard SATA connector.

Question 9

What adaptor do I need to purchase for firewire 800.  We have an older MAC  -- probably about 5 -6 years old and I understand I need firewire 800 to have the hard drive work?  Thanks,

Accepted Answer

I just purchased one and it's not firewire. It's USB 3. I aslo have an older Mac with USB 2.

I used it for daily back-ups. It works great. It works with my Time Machine. Just plug and go.

Question 10

Is it password protected?

Accepted Answer

I don't know if you can password protect it. I have it still in the box and the box does not mention any password protection, sorry

Questions & Answers