Setup:
Drivestation Combo 4 (HD-HS1.5TQ) connected to a MacMini server via FireWire 800. Mac is running OS X 10.6.8
Problem:
I have three identical drives that I rotate off site on a weekly basis. I am careful to ensure that the drives reach room temperature before connecting them to the computer.
Drives mount inconsistently. Sometimes they come up on the desktop right away when plugged in and turned on. Most times, they will not mount until turned on and off two or three times. When they do not mount, I will hear a clicking noise every 3 or 4 seconds.
When I do get them to mount, Disk Utility says that they appear to be OK. If I run Disk Utility while they are not mounted, but plugged in, they don't even show up in Disk Utility.
I have tried swapping cables and even power supplies and it does not change behavior.
Am I beginning to lose the HD mechanisms?