08-02-2010, 06:12 PM

Hi guys,

How do i go about moving files between my macbook pro to a windows based laptop, im forced to do this because i cant transfer files bigger than 4.5gb on an external.

Can i do this?

08-02-2010, 07:01 PM

Are they on a network together (i.e. do you have a wireless router)? If so, it's just a matter of enabling sharing on one or both of the machines. Then you can easily transfer files back and forth.

Another option would be to format the external as NTFS and then use an NTFS driver for Mac OS X. Paragon's excellent NTFS for Mac OS X makes it easy and is only $30. Well worth the money, IMHO if you need to share an external hard drive between the two machines.

08-02-2010, 07:02 PM

If the Windows laptop is formatted to NTFS, you can transfer large files (over ~4 GB) without problems. The method to use can vary: External hard drive formatted to NTFS, network transfer, etc. You can also use an external hard drive formatted to HFS+. (with driver)

Note: To write to a Windows notebook or hard drive formatted to NTFS you will also need a third party driver. I recommend Paragon NTFS. (Currently on sale for $19.95)

Regards.

08-02-2010, 08:10 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, how exactly do i format my external hard drive to ntfs? ive googled it but through all the threads ive read it doesnt seem to be to easy to do?

08-02-2010, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Shanez

Thanks for the replies guys, how exactly do i format my external hard drive to ntfs? ive googled it but through all the threads ive read it doesnt seem to be to easy to do?

You don't even need to format it. Connect it to the Windows box. Open a Command Prompt as administrator. Find out what drive letter the drive is using (you'll need it for the conversion). At the Command Prompt, type:

convert e: /FS:NTFS

(substitute the 'e' with the letter of the drive)

It should take just a few minutes and you'll be rocking NTFS. Do make sure you have an OS X driver for NTFS before you do this as once it's converted, you can NOT convert back without the help of expensive software or by formatting the drive.

08-03-2010, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by cwa107

You don't even need to format it. Connect it to the Windows box. Open a Command Prompt as administrator. Find out what drive letter the drive is using (you'll need it for the conversion). At the Command Prompt, type:

convert e: /FS:NTFS

(substitute the 'e' with the letter of the drive)

It should take just a few minutes and you'll be rocking NTFS. Do make sure you have an OS X driver for NTFS before you do this as once it's converted, you can NOT convert back without the help of expensive software or by formatting the drive.

Hi cwa107, i should of told you im a newb, ive no idea how to do any of what you said lol

''Open a Command Prompt as administrator. Find out what drive letter the drive is using (you'll need it for the conversion). At the Command Prompt, type:

convert e: /FS:NTFS'' <-- can you elaborate please

08-03-2010, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Shanez

Hi cwa107, i should of told you im a newb, ive no idea how to do any of what you said lol

''Open a Command Prompt as administrator. Find out what drive letter the drive is using (you'll need it for the conversion). At the Command Prompt, type:

convert e: /FS:NTFS'' <-- can you elaborate please

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the external hard drive to your Windows laptop.
2. Click Start => 'My Computer' (or 'Computer', if it's Windows 7)
3. Look at the drives listed in the 'My Computer' window, find the external hard drive. The description should say something like "External Hard drive (E" or something like that. Make a note of the drive letter (in this example, "E:").
4. Click Start => All Programs => Accessories. Find the "Command Prompt" icon and right-click it. Click 'Run as Administrator'. If it's Windows XP, then you can just click the 'Command Prompt' icon, no need to right click to run as administrator.
5. In the Command Prompt window, all you have to do is type the following:

convert e: /FS:NTFS

Replace the 'e:' with whatever drive letter you recorded in step 3. Then, press Enter to run the command. It will take a few minutes and then you'll be converted.