External Hard Drive is Read Only :(

RunningTurtle · RunningTurtle #1 (**permalink**)

10-08-2011, 11:51 PM

Hey,
I've recently started using MacBook Air in addition to the Windows XP I already have. I use a external hard drive to store my files so that I can easily switch between the two, and files created on Windows XP work perfectly on MacBook Air. However my MacBook Air sees the files on the external drive as read-only, so once I edit files or create new ones I cannot save them back onto the external hard drive. I've tried changes the preferences by using "Get Info" as suggested by a quick google search, however all this tells me under "Sharing & Permissions" is "You can only read" yet there is no option to change this preference. Can someone please tell me how to remedy this situation as I need to be able to transfer files with ease.

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

10-09-2011, 01:43 AM

The drive is likely formatted to NTFS which is read only from your Air. You need a third party driver to read and write to NTFS. Paragon NTFS is the best for $19.95 from Paragon Software.

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,378 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	10-09-2011, 01:43 AM The drive is likely formatted to NTFS which is read only from your Air. You need a third party driver to read and write to NTFS. Paragon NTFS is the best for $19.95 from Paragon Software. Community Guidelines
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External Hard Drive is Read Only :(

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RunningTurtle #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 08, 2011 Posts: 1	10-08-2011, 11:51 PM Hey, I've recently started using MacBook Air in addition to the Windows XP I already have. I use a external hard drive to store my files so that I can easily switch between the two, and files created on Windows XP work perfectly on MacBook Air. However my MacBook Air sees the files on the external drive as read-only, so once I edit files or create new ones I cannot save them back onto the external hard drive. I've tried changes the preferences by using "Get Info" as suggested by a quick google search, however all this tells me under "Sharing & Permissions" is "You can only read" yet there is no option to change this preference. Can someone please tell me how to remedy this situation as I need to be able to transfer files with ease.
	QUOTE Thanks

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