Data transfer from Mac to external hard drive
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Anonymous user
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ALAIN33 -
ALAIN33 -
Hello everyone,
As a former PC user, I am now on a Mac and, like any beginner, I'm encountering a few adjustment issues!!!
Here's my current problem: I have a WD external hard drive that I used on PC (formatted for PC). I've been able to transfer the data from the hard drive to my Mac, but I cannot copy certain data (for example, photos) from my Mac to the hard drive. I don't want to erase the data already on the hard drive, but I would still like to continue using it with my Mac.
I hope I have been clear enough. My request is: what should I do? A simple, straightforward tip would certainly help me!
I look forward to your assistance,
have a great day
kafar33
Configuration: Mac OS X Lion (10.7) / Firefox 14.0.1
As a former PC user, I am now on a Mac and, like any beginner, I'm encountering a few adjustment issues!!!
Here's my current problem: I have a WD external hard drive that I used on PC (formatted for PC). I've been able to transfer the data from the hard drive to my Mac, but I cannot copy certain data (for example, photos) from my Mac to the hard drive. I don't want to erase the data already on the hard drive, but I would still like to continue using it with my Mac.
I hope I have been clear enough. My request is: what should I do? A simple, straightforward tip would certainly help me!
I look forward to your assistance,
have a great day
kafar33
Configuration: Mac OS X Lion (10.7) / Firefox 14.0.1
4 réponses
Hello,
The problem comes from the format of the external drive. It is probably in NTFS because most external drives are now "Windows-ready," hence in NTFS format. Sometimes, though more rarely, they are formatted in FAT32.
All drives can be used on Mac or Windows; there is no drive specific to one or the other.
If you only want to use the drive on Mac, it needs to be formatted in Mac OS Extended or HFS+.
If you want to use it independently on either system, it should be formatted in FAT32, which is an older file system from Windows that has the disadvantage of not supporting files larger than 4 GB individually. So, goodbye to 4.5 GB movies.
The NTFS file system is the "native" system of recent Windows. It is natively supported for reading on Mac and can be written to using utilities. See this discussion: Explanations
Finally, the ExFAT file system, or FAT64, is a format designed by Microsoft, compatible for reading and writing, without file size limitation, usable only from certain versions of Mac OS (10.6.5 and Windows (XP SP3).
Once the file system is chosen, all that's left is to format the drive:
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-37636360-disques-durs-externes-ou-cles-usb-sous-mac-os#formatage-depuis-l-utilitaire-de-disque-sous-os-x-10-11-et-ulterieures
Hello to you!
Francis.
The problem comes from the format of the external drive. It is probably in NTFS because most external drives are now "Windows-ready," hence in NTFS format. Sometimes, though more rarely, they are formatted in FAT32.
All drives can be used on Mac or Windows; there is no drive specific to one or the other.
If you only want to use the drive on Mac, it needs to be formatted in Mac OS Extended or HFS+.
If you want to use it independently on either system, it should be formatted in FAT32, which is an older file system from Windows that has the disadvantage of not supporting files larger than 4 GB individually. So, goodbye to 4.5 GB movies.
The NTFS file system is the "native" system of recent Windows. It is natively supported for reading on Mac and can be written to using utilities. See this discussion: Explanations
Finally, the ExFAT file system, or FAT64, is a format designed by Microsoft, compatible for reading and writing, without file size limitation, usable only from certain versions of Mac OS (10.6.5 and Windows (XP SP3).
Once the file system is chosen, all that's left is to format the drive:
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-37636360-disques-durs-externes-ou-cles-usb-sous-mac-os#formatage-depuis-l-utilitaire-de-disque-sous-os-x-10-11-et-ulterieures
Hello to you!
Francis.
your text is very clear and very explicit and I thank you for it. The only downside is at the end when you said this sentence: At the bottom of the window, click on "Apply".
When I click apply, it tells me if I really want to partition the disk <<......>> this partition will be erased <<.....>> and this partition will be added to <<....>>...
my question is: will it really erase the photos or is it just going to copy and paste them somewhere else?
I hope I have been clear as it's not easy to explain...
Best regards
The disk is truly erased after formatting. The content is then lost.
If one decides to format a hard drive and recreate its partitioning, it is necessary to back up its content elsewhere if one wants to keep it.
Sincerely