For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.

However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.

I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

On 5 Mar 2024 at 09:30:55 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:

> For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
> iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
> certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
> SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.
>
> However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
> 'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
> is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.
>
> I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
> although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
> beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.

There's a Samsung utility I once used on a PC internal drive but it claims it
will also diagnose external drives via macOS. Never used it for that so may be
a waste of time.

<https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/magician/>

Also I guess DU will not help much?

--
Cheers, Alan

On 05/03/2024 09:30, RJH wrote:
> For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
> iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
> certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
> SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.
>
> However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
> 'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
> is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.
>
> I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
> although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
> beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.

Is this following a shutdown? I.e. you shutdown at the end of the day or
the end of a session?

If so, I had similar problems with a mini and an external HDD and the
only conclusion I came to was that sometimes the Mac shuts down a bit
too quickly and there are still processes in the background that get
closed before they are ready.

The solution was to manually eject before shutting down.

--
Bruce Horrocks
Surrey, England

RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
> For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
> iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
> certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
> SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.
>
> However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
> 'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
> is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.
>
> I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
> although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
> beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.

Thumb drives aren't designed for use as routine storage. I wouldn't use it
for anything as precious as photos and would suggest you get a proper
external SSD if you value your photos.

On 5. Mar 2024 at 23:52:58 CET, "Chris" <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thumb drives aren't designed for use as routine storage. I wouldn't use it
> for anything as precious as photos and would suggest you get a proper
> external SSD if you value your photos.

Yup, was just about to write the same.
Have at least a second (and third) stick as backups.

On 5 Mar 2024 at 09:48:04 GMT, Alan B wrote:

> On 5 Mar 2024 at 09:30:55 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
>
>> For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
>> iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
>> certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
>> SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.
>>
>> However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
>> 'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
>> is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.
>>
>> I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
>> although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
>> beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.
>
> There's a Samsung utility I once used on a PC internal drive but it claims it
> will also diagnose external drives via macOS. Never used it for that so may be
> a waste of time.
>
> <https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/magician/>
>

Thanks - I tried it - no problems reported. But I'll uninstall it I think -
over 500MB, and seems to spray itself all over the place (requires access to a
number of things, and logon).

> Also I guess DU will not help much?

No - in the sense no problems apparent from First Aid
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

On 5 Mar 2024 at 15:03:04 GMT, Bruce Horrocks wrote:

> On 05/03/2024 09:30, RJH wrote:
>> For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
>> iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
>> certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
>> SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.
>>
>> However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
>> 'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
>> is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.
>>
>> I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
>> although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
>> beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.
>
> Is this following a shutdown? I.e. you shutdown at the end of the day or
> the end of a session?
>

I've not noticed it happen while I'm using the computer - so it may be when it
comes out of sleep (I rarely switch it off).

> If so, I had similar problems with a mini and an external HDD and the
> only conclusion I came to was that sometimes the Mac shuts down a bit
> too quickly and there are still processes in the background that get
> closed before they are ready.
>
> The solution was to manually eject before shutting down.

Ah well, that'd be too much of a faff every time the computer sleeps - so I'll
be looking for a cause/solution

--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

On 5 Mar 2024 at 22:52:58 GMT, Chris wrote:

> RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
>> For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
>> iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
>> certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
>> SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.
>>
>> However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
>> 'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
>> is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.
>>
>> I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
>> although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
>> beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.
>
> Thumb drives aren't designed for use as routine storage.

I think this one is - designed for laptops etc, permanently plugged in anyway.

> I wouldn't use it
> for anything as precious as photos and would suggest you get a proper
> external SSD if you value your photos.

I am wary of that - and keep them backed up on iCloud, and an occasional
backup to an external hard drive.

https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/memory-storage/usb-flash-drive/usb-3-1-flash-drive-fit-plus-2020-muf-256ab-apc/

--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

On 6 Mar 2024 at 08:53:28 GMT, "RJH" <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:

> On 5 Mar 2024 at 09:48:04 GMT, Alan B wrote:

[snip]

>> There's a Samsung utility I once used on a PC internal drive but it claims it
>> will also diagnose external drives via macOS. Never used it for that so may be
>> a waste of time.
>>
>> <https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/magician/>
>>
>
> Thanks - I tried it - no problems reported. But I'll uninstall it I think -
> over 500MB, and seems to spray itself all over the place (requires access to a
> number of things, and logon).

Yes I've removed it too for the same reasons.

--
Cheers, Alan

RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
> On 5 Mar 2024 at 22:52:58 GMT, Chris wrote:
>
>> RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
>>> For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
>>> iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
>>> certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
>>> SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.
>>>
>>> However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
>>> 'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
>>> is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.
>>>
>>> I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
>>> although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
>>> beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.
>>
>> Thumb drives aren't designed for use as routine storage.
>
> I think this one is - designed for laptops etc, permanently plugged in anyway.
>
>> I wouldn't use it
>> for anything as precious as photos and would suggest you get a proper
>> external SSD if you value your photos.
>
> I am wary of that - and keep them backed up on iCloud, and an occasional
> backup to an external hard drive.

Ok. It's less critical then.

> https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/memory-storage/usb-flash-drive/usb-3-1-flash-drive-fit-plus-2020-muf-256ab-apc/
>

On 06/03/2024 08:56, RJH wrote:
> On 5 Mar 2024 at 15:03:04 GMT, Bruce Horrocks wrote:
>
>> On 05/03/2024 09:30, RJH wrote:
>>> For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
>>> iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
>>> certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
>>> SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.
>>>
>>> However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
>>> 'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
>>> is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.
>>>
>>> I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
>>> although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
>>> beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.
>>
>> Is this following a shutdown? I.e. you shutdown at the end of the day or
>> the end of a session?
>>
>
> I've not noticed it happen while I'm using the computer - so it may be when it
> comes out of sleep (I rarely switch it off).
>
>> If so, I had similar problems with a mini and an external HDD and the
>> only conclusion I came to was that sometimes the Mac shuts down a bit
>> too quickly and there are still processes in the background that get
>> closed before they are ready.
>>
>> The solution was to manually eject before shutting down.
>
> Ah well, that'd be too much of a faff every time the computer sleeps - so I'll
> be looking for a cause/solution

This has been a long running issue with USB-3. I suffered terribly with
this when I first got my iMac in 2013, and just couldn't get any USB-3
drives to stay mounted during sleep mode.

It did turn out to be certain chipsets, and even certain HDDs, or
certain combinations that could cause it. At the time I gave up and
stuck with FireWire.

More recently, I've had this happen on my MacBook using different USB-C
to multi device hubs. Some have proven problematic (causing sleep
dismounts with external drives), and some have been fine.

The original solution was to use Mountain, which could auto
mount/dismount drives.

https://appgineers.de/mountain/index.html

Maybe check that out.

--
Andy H

On 7 Mar 2024 at 22:35:15 GMT, Andy H wrote:

> On 06/03/2024 08:56, RJH wrote:
>> On 5 Mar 2024 at 15:03:04 GMT, Bruce Horrocks wrote:
>>
>>> On 05/03/2024 09:30, RJH wrote:
>>>> For reasons of lack of space, I store my 125GB Photos library on my 2020 Intel
>>>> iMac on a 256GB thumb(nail) stick. It's worked for at least a year, and is
>>>> certainly quick enough - it seems no different from when it was on the iMac's
>>>> SSD. It's a Samsung Fit Plus USB 3.1.
>>>>
>>>> However, maybe once a fortnight, I get 'disk not properly ejected' and a
>>>> 'photoanalysisd quit unexpectedly' notifications. I'm wondering if the storage
>>>> is the cause and whether to try another form factor, brand etc.
>>>>
>>>> I'm also concerned that it might be an indication of imminent failure -
>>>> although this has been going on for several months without any apparent effect
>>>> beyond the notifications - the drive always reattaches on its own.
>>>
>>> Is this following a shutdown? I.e. you shutdown at the end of the day or
>>> the end of a session?
>>>
>>
>> I've not noticed it happen while I'm using the computer - so it may be when it
>> comes out of sleep (I rarely switch it off).
>>
>>> If so, I had similar problems with a mini and an external HDD and the
>>> only conclusion I came to was that sometimes the Mac shuts down a bit
>>> too quickly and there are still processes in the background that get
>>> closed before they are ready.
>>>
>>> The solution was to manually eject before shutting down.
>>
>> Ah well, that'd be too much of a faff every time the computer sleeps - so I'll
>> be looking for a cause/solution
>
> This has been a long running issue with USB-3. I suffered terribly with
> this when I first got my iMac in 2013, and just couldn't get any USB-3
> drives to stay mounted during sleep mode.
>
> It did turn out to be certain chipsets, and even certain HDDs, or
> certain combinations that could cause it. At the time I gave up and
> stuck with FireWire.
>

Hadn't thought of that. Maybe a USB3 port from Thunderbolt hub (the iMac has 2
400Gb TB ports)?

Or plug a USBC thumb drive in directly? I don't have one but happy to try . .
..

> More recently, I've had this happen on my MacBook using different USB-C
> to multi device hubs. Some have proven problematic (causing sleep
> dismounts with external drives), and some have been fine.
>
> The original solution was to use Mountain, which could auto
> mount/dismount drives.
>
> https://appgineers.de/mountain/index.html
>
> Maybe check that out.

Yes, thanks - will do.

--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK