Hi, I just bought a WD MyBook 4 TB hard drive and my ATV doesn't seem to even TRY and recognize it.

I cannot see it in Files menu, nor in NitoTV (files)... or anywhere else.

If I connect a 2 TB hard drive it works great... but I really want to make my 4 TB work. Any ideas? I've tried every format (Mac OSx, etc)....

I really need help guys!

Originally Posted by adrianmtzk

Hi, I just bought a WD MyBook 4 TB hard drive and my ATV doesn't seem to even TRY and recognize it.

I cannot see it in Files menu, nor in NitoTV (files)... or anywhere else.

If I connect a 2 TB hard drive it works great... but I really want to make my 4 TB work. Any ideas? I've tried every format (Mac OSx, etc)....

I really need help guys!

Have you tried switching the partition format from GUID to APM?

Supposedly that drive is supported for 10.4.10 and higher

Apple TV OS is based on a branch of the 10.4 OS that branched off approximately at 10.4.10 so it should be supported.

Correction, 10.4.7

Software:

System Software Overview:

System Version: Apple TV OS 10.4.7 (8N6014)
Kernel Version: Darwin 8.8.2

Originally Posted by nitosoft

Correction, 10.4.7

Software:

System Software Overview:

System Version: Apple TV OS 10.4.7 (8N6014)
Kernel Version: Darwin 8.8.2

Thanks for that, I always thought it branched somewhere between 10.4.9 and 10.4.10 because both combo updates could be used.

Regardless, the support from WD specifying 10.4.10 is probably only for the bundled software that comes with the drive.

According to Apple, the limit in 10.4 and higher is close to 8 EB for max volume size.

Mac OS X: Mac OS Extended format (HFS Plus) volume and file limits

That's why I thought maybe it was the partitioning scheme that was the problem.

Originally Posted by Olethros

Thanks for that, I always thought it branched somewhere between 10.4.9 and 10.4.10 because both combo updates could be used.

Regardless, the support from WD specifying 10.4.10 is probably only for the bundled software that comes with the drive.

According to Apple, the limit in 10.4 and higher is close to 8 EB for max volume size.

Mac OS X: Mac OS Extended format (HFS Plus) volume and file limits

That's why I thought maybe it was the partitioning scheme that was the problem.

No Prob, yeh i think the assumption should be safe that 10.4.10 would be needed for whatever software is bundled. However in my experience i dont ever remember any software being bundled with mac drives, only pc ones. or if the software WAS bundled, there was no mac version or something. Anyhow if the partition scheme isnt the problem i imagine there is some incompatibility with that drive and 10.4.7 and earlier (maybe up to 10.4.10, who knows) If its HFS+ and GUID (i cant imagine it HAVING to be GUID, but cant hurt!) then i think the drive just might not work on the appletv.

It's actually a 10.4.7/10.5 mix. there are 10.5 bits floating around. I see them in kext driverland.

Originally Posted by davilla

It's actually a 10.4.7/10.5 mix. there are 10.5 bits floating around. I see them in kext driverland.

Was trying to keep it simple i know there are bits and pieces of 10.5 in there, its a bizarre QuartzCore.framework that is a mesh between the two, not to mention the backrow framework is a weird mesh of them as well. Who knows whats going on in the finder, and im sure you've seen better whats going on with the kexts as well.

Ok, I've tried switching from GUID to APM, and it DOES recognize it BUT my files that are stored from 2-4TB don't work (an error message appears).

I can see all the videos, but I figured out that the limit of 2 TB is still there, so if I store more than 2 TB it will not play them in the ATV.

Originally Posted by adrianmtzk

Ok, I've tried switching from GUID to APM, and it DOES recognize it BUT my files that are stored from 2-4TB don't work (an error message appears).

I can see all the videos, but I figured out that the limit of 2 TB is still there, so if I store more than 2 TB it will not play them in the ATV.

maybe try putting multiple partitions on the drive? like 2 2 GB partitions? i dont know if it will make any difference but its worth a shot

Didn't work... sorry for the late response but I had to format it with APM and 2 partitions and then store it with 4tb of data (takes a while lol)....

Same problem... the data I start storing above 2 TB won't work. Maybe there is a 2 TB limit in the Apple TV.

I could try installing Mac OS X in the Apple TV but I dont wan't to void my warranty and risk bricking it. =(

Thanks guys for your help... any new ideas??