MacBook Pro - Copying files from macbook pro to external hard drive

sinitry23 · sinitry23 #1 (**permalink**)

05-24-2009, 02:31 PM

Hi,

I am a new user to Mac systems. With PC's I can drag and drop the entire folders of photos that are on my desktop to the external drive. But when I try to do the same with a Mac it doesn't allow me. Please advise on how I can transfer from files from my desktop to my external drive.

"Macintosh HD" - All Pictures I copy all the raw files to a new folder on my Mac's desktop. I want to back up those photos to my external drive.

Thanks!

clayneal · clayneal #2 (**permalink**)

05-24-2009, 02:48 PM

Without a little more info any anwsers will just be a guess. So...How is your hdd formated , how large are these folders. A FAT32 drive will not allow file transfers larger then 4 gigs....We need more info.

Clay

sinitry23 · sinitry23 #3 (**permalink**)

05-24-2009, 10:55 PM

My external WD 1TB drive is formated to NTFS.

clayneal · clayneal #4 (**permalink**)

05-24-2009, 11:06 PM

You can only read NTFs drives not write to them with out a driver such as NTFS-3G
How-to: Read and Write NTFS Windows Partition on Mac OS X - Stepcase Lifehack

This is a good link to explain it to you

Hope this helps
Clay

sinitry23 · sinitry23 #5 (**permalink**)

05-26-2009, 07:36 AM

Thanks Clay! This will help alot!

So what file format do I need to format my drives to so I can write to it?

JGruber · JGruber #6 (**permalink**)

05-26-2009, 11:58 AM

If it's only going to be used on a Mac, then Mac OS Extended (Journaled) will work perfect.

Basically open up Disk Utility (Finder Toolbar > Go > Utility's > Disk Utility), Click the drive in question, click 'Erase' > Volume Format > Pick either Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or Mac OS Extended > Click Erase.

Now your done. However this will destroy any data on the drive, and will only be able to be used on Mac.

clayneal #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 27, 2009 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 2,146 Mac Specs: late 08 macbook 2.0 4gig 320hdd10.7.3 32 gig iPhone 4s	05-24-2009, 02:48 PM Without a little more info any anwsers will just be a guess. So...How is your hdd formated , how large are these folders. A FAT32 drive will not allow file transfers larger then 4 gigs....We need more info. Clay MY ADVICE COMES WITH A DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!
	QUOTE Thanks

clayneal #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 27, 2009 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 2,146 Mac Specs: late 08 macbook 2.0 4gig 320hdd10.7.3 32 gig iPhone 4s	05-24-2009, 11:06 PM You can only read NTFs drives not write to them with out a driver such as NTFS-3G How-to: Read and Write NTFS Windows Partition on Mac OS X - Stepcase Lifehack This is a good link to explain it to you Hope this helps Clay MY ADVICE COMES WITH A DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!
	QUOTE Thanks

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sinitry23 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: May 22, 2009 Posts: 77	05-24-2009, 02:31 PM Hi, I am a new user to Mac systems. With PC's I can drag and drop the entire folders of photos that are on my desktop to the external drive. But when I try to do the same with a Mac it doesn't allow me. Please advise on how I can transfer from files from my desktop to my external drive. "Macintosh HD" - All Pictures I copy all the raw files to a new folder on my Mac's desktop. I want to back up those photos to my external drive. Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

sinitry23 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: May 22, 2009 Posts: 77	05-26-2009, 07:36 AM Thanks Clay! This will help alot! So what file format do I need to format my drives to so I can write to it?
	QUOTE Thanks

JGruber #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 20, 2005 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 739 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 15" 2ghz/2GB/250gb/SD - White Macbook 2.16ghz/2.5GB/250GB/SD	05-26-2009, 11:58 AM If it's only going to be used on a Mac, then Mac OS Extended (Journaled) will work perfect. Basically open up Disk Utility (Finder Toolbar > Go > Utility's > Disk Utility), Click the drive in question, click 'Erase' > Volume Format > Pick either Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or Mac OS Extended > Click Erase. Now your done. However this will destroy any data on the drive, and will only be able to be used on Mac.
	QUOTE Thanks

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