02-15-2011, 05:03 AM

I have been having problem copying files to any external data storage device, be it memory sticks, c.d., d.v.d. or my external hard drive.

When I try to copy to a memory stick it tells me it's full even though it's could be 100% empty.

When i drag and drop to either c.d. or d.v.d. all it does is copy what I think is a shortcut because it has an icon for the program but with a little black right angle arrow over it and when I click on it after copying it says the program cannot be found.

And lastly when I try and copy to an external hard drive that i have been using with Windows XP and Window 7 all I get is a little gray prohibited sign and I cannot make the copy. I don't want to have to format it as that would mean loosing everything.

I am using a MacBook Pro with Mac OS X 10.6.6



Please would anyone tell me how to fix each of these problems.



Thank you very much,




thenodfather.

02-15-2011, 05:10 AM

When it comes to your external HDD you have been using with Windows XP and 7, it is probably formatted as NTFS. OSX cannot natively write to NTFS only read. To make it read/write capable on both windows and OSX you would have to format to FAT or FAT32.
This is quite possibly the same case with your memory stick.

When it comes to your blank CDs and DVDs when placing your files into the CD/ DVD window it will show a small arrow on the icon. Yes it is a shortcut, but it's only a reference shortcut, when you click BURN it will then copy the program or file over and burn it.

Hope this helps

- Simon

02-15-2011, 06:42 AM

Thank you very much for your reply, but I am wondering would doing this wipe the hard drive?
I will try a c.d./d.v.d. now thank you.

02-15-2011, 06:49 AM

Yes, a format wipes the drive.

I would recommend Paragon's NTFS for Mac to enable write capability in OS X. There are a couple of free methods, but there are also reported issues with each of them.

02-15-2011, 06:51 AM

Glad I could help, definitely check out Bob's suggestion though, it could save you a LOT of headaches getting Paragon NTFS.

- Simon

02-15-2011, 07:03 AM

Thank you very much gentlemen that is great. Ye have had no problems with Paragon's NTFS for Mac, it just made the drive possible to write to and nothing else, it didn't delete or corrupt files? (Just wanting to be as sure as possible, I know ye wouldn't recommend bad equipment, but I just thought I was ask to cover all eventualities).


Thank you very much, I'll look into that.

02-15-2011, 07:22 AM

That worked with the copying to c.d. thank you very much. I thought I did that before though, hmmm, it's working now, so that's good. Thank you Simon.

02-15-2011, 02:40 PM

Anytime, anything else just ask, visit often

- Simon