500 GB Samsung T5 external SSD encrypted with FileVault. Used for regular permanent storage of large files that don’t fit on the internal SSD. When plugging it in to a Mac (M1 mini, Sequoia 15.7.2), it does not mount and throws up a dialogue: “The disk “MediaDrive” can’t be unlocked. A problem was detected with the disk that prevents it from being unlocked.” The same error appears when attempting to mount the drive in Disk Utility.
I also tried connecting it to an older Mac mini (Intel Core i5, Monterey 12.7.6), and it did not mount on the desktop or give me a dialogue (or any other indication that there was a disk connected). If I try to mount it in Disk Utility, it throws up a dialogue: “Could not mount “MediaDrive”. (com.apple.DiskManagement.disenter error 49218.)”
I have a BackBlaze backup that is about a week old. I am running a restore now, but it will take a while. In the meantime, should I try to wipe the SSD and put it back into circulation, or should I assume it’s hosed and can’t be relied on for any data that I want to keep?