External hard drive (NTFS) on Mac without data loss
AnnAno787
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MickSitFran Posted messages 115 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
MickSitFran Posted messages 115 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
Hello,
I have an external hard drive formatted in NTFS, but I've just switched to Mac, so I can't write on it anymore. I know I should format it on the Mac while making sure to back up my data to another device. The problem is, I have at least 2TB of data, and I'm traveling for a long time, so there's no way for me to find a device with enough space to format it safely.
So, I need a solution to format my drive while keeping my data on it and, above all, not losing anything. Alternatively, I need a way to write to an NTFS format from a Mac, for example using software.
Thank you in advance for your responses. Since I have a low level of computer skills, I would appreciate simple and intuitive answers.
Bye.
I have an external hard drive formatted in NTFS, but I've just switched to Mac, so I can't write on it anymore. I know I should format it on the Mac while making sure to back up my data to another device. The problem is, I have at least 2TB of data, and I'm traveling for a long time, so there's no way for me to find a device with enough space to format it safely.
So, I need a solution to format my drive while keeping my data on it and, above all, not losing anything. Alternatively, I need a way to write to an NTFS format from a Mac, for example using software.
Thank you in advance for your responses. Since I have a low level of computer skills, I would appreciate simple and intuitive answers.
Bye.
2 answers
Hello everyone :)
@AnnAno787, I'm jumping in the conversation to add to the ideas suggested by @MickSitFran.
I've sometimes read people sharing that they use alternative methods to write to external HDDs in NTFS. A glance at this article would give you some good ideas on the subject: https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-37636360-disques-durs-externes-ou-cles-usb-sous-mac-os .
However, I also read testimonies speaking of instability in using this type of manipulation, with this instability leading to data loss. If you're looking for a temporary solution, we could think of a similar approach, but I would encourage you to reformat the HDD you want to use on your MAC. Don't forget to also run a diagnostic on it to check its health status and verify its integrity. You never know; it's better to be safe than sorry.
If the data you keep on this external HDD doesn't have any backup copy stored on another storage medium, I would strongly recommend you to secure one, just in case. You should never put all your eggs in one basket.
Good luck and have a nice day everyone!
Catch you later!
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If you found the answer to your question, feel free to click on Resolved to help other members who have the same concern ;)
@AnnAno787, I'm jumping in the conversation to add to the ideas suggested by @MickSitFran.
I've sometimes read people sharing that they use alternative methods to write to external HDDs in NTFS. A glance at this article would give you some good ideas on the subject: https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-37636360-disques-durs-externes-ou-cles-usb-sous-mac-os .
However, I also read testimonies speaking of instability in using this type of manipulation, with this instability leading to data loss. If you're looking for a temporary solution, we could think of a similar approach, but I would encourage you to reformat the HDD you want to use on your MAC. Don't forget to also run a diagnostic on it to check its health status and verify its integrity. You never know; it's better to be safe than sorry.
If the data you keep on this external HDD doesn't have any backup copy stored on another storage medium, I would strongly recommend you to secure one, just in case. You should never put all your eggs in one basket.
Good luck and have a nice day everyone!
Catch you later!
--
-----
If you found the answer to your question, feel free to click on Resolved to help other members who have the same concern ;)
MickSitFran
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He would be better off getting a high-capacity external drive so he can format his hard drive either to FAT-32 or others.