OS 10.4 - External Hard Disk

benigis · benigis #1 (**permalink**)

03-29-2007, 03:59 AM

Dear all... I've recently purchase an Imac. I use to be using windows but now, I've change to Mac. So basically i got about 50gb of files from my portable hard disk, I want to transfer it to my imac. Can the Imac read the hard disk as I scare it may need to re-format it so I've not yet try.

Thanks

powermacj7 · powermacj7 #2 (**permalink**)

03-29-2007, 05:35 AM

OSX can read Windows format and write to only Fat32.

dakineyj · dakineyj #3 (**permalink**)

03-29-2007, 05:36 AM

I have just recently switched too. I have one of my windows external hard drives plugged into my macbook pro right now. I will read it. However, it can't write to it so you are safe to read and copy files from it but you won't be able to change them.
Aloha

eric · eric #4 (**permalink**)

03-29-2007, 05:54 AM

OS X can also write/modify/delete files on FAT16, but i'm not sure who would format a drive FAT16 when you could format it FAT32.

once your data is copied off, you can reformat using OS X's disk utility under applications/utilities.

benigis · benigis #5 (**permalink**)

03-29-2007, 05:55 AM

Awesome! Thanks u all. So in order to read & write for mac & pc use... I need to get a Hard disk like maxtor or lacie thats supports mac & pc right?

eric · eric #6 (**permalink**)

03-29-2007, 05:58 AM

you can use the one you have. the only restriction is the file system.

feel free to reformat your current disk to FAT32 once you've retrieved all the data you need. you can also format to HFS+ if you're pretty sure you won't be using the drive on a PC (though you can always download a utility to read HFS+ on a windows machine). but for the best compatability, go FAT32, or create a couple partitions and make one of each.

benigis · benigis #7 (**permalink**)

03-29-2007, 06:23 AM

ok eric. thanks. Will try it out soon.

eric #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 04, 2006 Location: twin cities, mn, usa Posts: 8,800	03-29-2007, 05:54 AM OS X can also write/modify/delete files on FAT16, but i'm not sure who would format a drive FAT16 when you could format it FAT32. once your data is copied off, you can reformat using OS X's disk utility under applications/utilities. Please participate in our Member of the Month polls. Every vote counts! And remember to use the user reputation system! ["Dear Homer, I. O. U. one emergency donut. Signed, Homer." - Note by Homer Simpson]
	QUOTE Thanks

eric #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 04, 2006 Location: twin cities, mn, usa Posts: 8,800	03-29-2007, 05:58 AM you can use the one you have. the only restriction is the file system. feel free to reformat your current disk to FAT32 once you've retrieved all the data you need. you can also format to HFS+ if you're pretty sure you won't be using the drive on a PC (though you can always download a utility to read HFS+ on a windows machine). but for the best compatability, go FAT32, or create a couple partitions and make one of each. Please participate in our Member of the Month polls. Every vote counts! And remember to use the user reputation system! ["Dear Homer, I. O. U. one emergency donut. Signed, Homer." - Note by Homer Simpson]
	QUOTE Thanks

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OS 10.4 - External Hard Disk

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benigis #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 29, 2007 Posts: 3	03-29-2007, 03:59 AM Dear all... I've recently purchase an Imac. I use to be using windows but now, I've change to Mac. So basically i got about 50gb of files from my portable hard disk, I want to transfer it to my imac. Can the Imac read the hard disk as I scare it may need to re-format it so I've not yet try. Thanks
	QUOTE Thanks

powermacj7 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 22, 2007 Location: NY NY Posts: 403 Mac Specs: iMac Duo White	03-29-2007, 05:35 AM OSX can read Windows format and write to only Fat32.
	QUOTE Thanks

benigis #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 29, 2007 Posts: 3	03-29-2007, 05:55 AM Awesome! Thanks u all. So in order to read & write for mac & pc use... I need to get a Hard disk like maxtor or lacie thats supports mac & pc right?
	QUOTE Thanks

benigis #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 29, 2007 Posts: 3	03-29-2007, 06:23 AM ok eric. thanks. Will try it out soon.
	QUOTE Thanks

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