Hardrive Issues

chakazulu86 · chakazulu86 #1 (**permalink**)

08-12-2010, 01:57 PM

Hello all,

Ive recently purchased My 13" Macbook pro and I am enjoying the transition from a PC to Mac. Great and easy to use and im not regretting it!!

I have one issue however, and that is before i made the switch I purchased a WD 500GB to transfer my data from my old laptop to the Mac. The Hardrive works on the Mac, however when I want to add file to the drive it says that I can't because the hardrive "cannot be modified"

What exactly does this mean? how do I make the hardrive work so i can use it. Its the only frustrating thing with this laptop.

Your thoughts and advice would be well appreciated.

baggss · baggss #2 (**permalink**)

08-12-2010, 02:00 PM

The drive is likely formated as NTFS, a Windows file system that the Mac can , by default, read but not write to you. You can buy apps that will allow your Mac to do so or you you can reformat the drive to FAT-32 so both your Mac and yoyur PC can read/write on it

If you are not going to use on your PC any longer your best bet is to just format it for the Mac. Open Disc Utility wihile the drive is plugged in (Applications > Utilities > Disc utility) and reformat the drive to Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Remember, if you reformat the drive you will lose all the data on it so make sure you back up any data before you do so.

chakazulu86 · chakazulu86 #3 (**permalink**)

08-12-2010, 02:41 PM

ok ok thanks for that speedy response!!

Sorry but another Q how do I change it to FAT32?? it dos'nt seem to let me do it in the Disk Utility section. Is there a way to do this??

McYukon · McYukon #4 (**permalink**)

08-12-2010, 03:36 PM

You need to select the drive and under the erase tab Format it as MS-DOS(FAT).
Doing this will wipe the drive of any data though, so be careful if there is anything you want to keep on it.

chakazulu86 · chakazulu86 #5 (**permalink**)

08-12-2010, 07:10 PM

Thanks guys for all your help!!

McYukon #4 (permalink)
Member Since: May 14, 2009 Location: Near Whitehorse, Yukon Posts: 2,031 Mac Specs: Late 2008 MBP 15" - 2.4 GHz C2D - 8 GB RAM - 60 GB SSD & 500 GB HD - Mac OS 10.8.1 - 32 GB iTouch 4G	08-12-2010, 03:36 PM You need to select the drive and under the erase tab Format it as MS-DOS(FAT). Doing this will wipe the drive of any data though, so be careful if there is anything you want to keep on it. ~Alex Use the reputation system if a post helps you! Mac Forums IRC Channel - Help build it by hanging out with us The next sentence is true. The previous sentence is false.
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chakazulu86 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 22, 2010 Posts: 7 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 13"	08-12-2010, 01:57 PM Hello all, Ive recently purchased My 13" Macbook pro and I am enjoying the transition from a PC to Mac. Great and easy to use and im not regretting it!! I have one issue however, and that is before i made the switch I purchased a WD 500GB to transfer my data from my old laptop to the Mac. The Hardrive works on the Mac, however when I want to add file to the drive it says that I can't because the hardrive "cannot be modified" What exactly does this mean? how do I make the hardrive work so i can use it. Its the only frustrating thing with this laptop. Your thoughts and advice would be well appreciated.
	QUOTE Thanks

baggss #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 10, 2004 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 10,306 Mac Specs: 27" 3.4 Ghz i7 iMac-13" C2D Macbook-OSX 18.8.2-64Gb iPad 2-32 Gb iPhone 5-ATV 2-14Tb of Storage	08-12-2010, 02:00 PM The drive is likely formated as NTFS, a Windows file system that the Mac can , by default, read but not write to you. You can buy apps that will allow your Mac to do so or you you can reformat the drive to FAT-32 so both your Mac and yoyur PC can read/write on it If you are not going to use on your PC any longer your best bet is to just format it for the Mac. Open Disc Utility wihile the drive is plugged in (Applications > Utilities > Disc utility) and reformat the drive to Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Remember, if you reformat the drive you will lose all the data on it so make sure you back up any data before you do so.
	QUOTE Thanks

chakazulu86 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 22, 2010 Posts: 7 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 13"	08-12-2010, 07:10 PM Thanks guys for all your help!!
	QUOTE Thanks

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