Converting PC formatted external HD to Mac

naftalim · naftalim #1 (**permalink**)

10-08-2007, 06:52 PM

Hello,

A friend is switching from PC to Mac. He has a MyBook external drive, with mostly media files. What is the best way for him to convert that MyBook to a Mac formatted external HD?

Thanks

kfordham281 · kfordham281 #2 (**permalink**)

10-09-2007, 11:59 AM

If the drive is in FAT32, "I think" it can be read by both Windows and the Mac.

Kash · Kash #3 (**permalink**)

10-09-2007, 04:50 PM

kfordham is correct, if it is formatted as FAT32, then you don't have to change the file system as both OS X and Windows can read and write to the external drive.

However, if the drive is formatted as NTFS, then you'll have to convert it to either FAT32 or HFS+ if you want to both read and write to it (OS X can only read from NTFS, not write). What you do is connect the drive to the Mac and open Disk Utility. You'll get formatting options from there.

mac57 · mac57 #4 (**permalink**)

10-09-2007, 10:43 PM

Per the above posters, no matter what Windows format it is using, FAT32 or NTFS, it will be readable by the new Mac. So, your friend can just plug the drive in, and it should show up on the desktop. Then, to convert it to the native Mac format (recommended unless he/she wants to use it to share files back and forth with Windows) just open Disk Utility and use it to reformat. Disk Utility is found in the Utilities folder on the Mac.

focalplane · focalplane #5 (**permalink**)

10-10-2007, 04:22 PM

What a weird coincidence. i reformatted my WD My Book Premium to HFS last night

the mac will read both FAT32 and NTFS as mentioed above but will only write to FAT32. the My Book come preformatted to FAT32.

I formatted mine to HFS Journalled and it works great. seems quicker (over firewire).

However, im gonna have to put it back to FAT32 and connect it to my PC as im also using a Netgear SC101 which is shared by the PC but the WD Backup software on the mac cant see the shares. Wish i'd checked before formatting DOH!

grouston · grouston #6 (**permalink**)

05-21-2011, 06:45 AM

I published my latest book on a PC, recently switched to a Mac, the files for my book are transfered sucessfully but I cannot work on them, how do I make those files open so I can work on the reedit of my book?

johndope83 · johndope83 #7 (**permalink**)

05-21-2011, 08:18 AM

there's no need to reformat a NTSF file format external hard drive to MacJournaled or FAT32...

You can download NTSFS3G or NTSF for MAC so you can use your external hard drive without the need of reformating

Slydude · Slydude #8 (**permalink**)

05-21-2011, 08:36 AM

@grouston

First, not being picky but your question might get more responses if it were in a thread all its own.

Now to the meant of the matter. In order to answer your question we will ned to know a bit more information. What kinds of files are these? Also, what happens when you try to open the files on your Mac?

chas_m · chas_m #9 (**permalink**)

05-21-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grouston

I published my latest book on a PC, recently switched to a Mac, the files for my book are transfered sucessfully but I cannot work on them, how do I make those files open so I can work on the reedit of my book?

You have to tell us what format those files are in (or what program you used to create them) first. We're not mind readers.

kfordham281 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 19, 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 350 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.2Ghz C2D 4GB RAM 120GB HDD	10-09-2007, 11:59 AM If the drive is in FAT32, "I think" it can be read by both Windows and the Mac. Apple Mac HQ - Apple/Mac News, Reviews, and More
	QUOTE Thanks

mac57 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 29, 2006 Location: St. Somewhere Posts: 4,553 Mac Specs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, 256 GB SSD, 2 TB HDD, 8 GB RAM	10-09-2007, 10:43 PM Per the above posters, no matter what Windows format it is using, FAT32 or NTFS, it will be readable by the new Mac. So, your friend can just plug the drive in, and it should show up on the desktop. Then, to convert it to the native Mac format (recommended unless he/she wants to use it to share files back and forth with Windows) just open Disk Utility and use it to reformat. Disk Utility is found in the Utilities folder on the Mac. My Macs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, 4 Core, Mac Pro, 3.2 GHz 8 Core, PowerMac G5 Quad, 2.5 GHz, G4 Cube, 1.2 GHz Upgrade My iStuff: 32 GB iPhone 4, 30 GB iPod Video, 16 GB iPod Touch My OS': Mac OS X Tiger, Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Mac OS X Leopard, Mac OS 8.6, openSUSE 10.3, Win XP I was on the Mac-Forums honor roll for September 2007
	QUOTE Thanks

johndope83 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 27, 2011 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 123 Mac Specs: 2011 13" MBP 2.3 Ghz Intel Core i5 4GB RAM	05-21-2011, 08:18 AM there's no need to reformat a NTSF file format external hard drive to MacJournaled or FAT32... You can download NTSFS3G or NTSF for MAC so you can use your external hard drive without the need of reformating 2011 13" MBP 2.3 Ghz Intel Core i5 4GB RAM
	QUOTE Thanks

Slydude #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 15, 2009 Location: North Louisiana, USA Posts: 4,026 Mac Specs: 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro 10.8,3 8 GB mem, 2.66 GHz Mac Pro - Dead, iPhone 4	05-21-2011, 08:36 AM @grouston First, not being picky but your question might get more responses if it were in a thread all its own. Now to the meant of the matter. In order to answer your question we will ned to know a bit more information. What kinds of files are these? Also, what happens when you try to open the files on your Mac? Sylvester Roque Former Contributing Editor About This Particular Macintosh No matter what time it is where I am it's early morning somewhere in the world. At that hour of the morning follow my advice at your own risk. Anything sounds good before your first cup of coffee
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
external HD formatted for windows?	darkhanger18	Other Hardware and Peripherals	3	01-15-2007 04:14 PM
converting windows ipod to mac	triptaylor	iPod Hardware and Accessories	9	12-10-2006 11:51 PM
Windows External Drive - Moving to Mac?	solarith	Other Hardware and Peripherals	3	11-21-2006 11:44 PM
Windows formatted drive on a mac.	bahamut727	Other Hardware and Peripherals	3	07-16-2006 05:38 PM
Mac Users Get More ISP Choices	schweb	Apple Rumors and Reports	1	03-06-2003 10:57 AM

Converting PC formatted external HD to Mac

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

naftalim #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 25, 2007 Posts: 213	10-08-2007, 06:52 PM Hello, A friend is switching from PC to Mac. He has a MyBook external drive, with mostly media files. What is the best way for him to convert that MyBook to a Mac formatted external HD? Thanks
	QUOTE Thanks

focalplane #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 11, 2007 Location: Liverpool UK Posts: 69 Mac Specs: 15" MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz C2D, 2Gb, 160Gb 256Mb Vram, OSX Leopard!, ViewSonic 20" Widescreen TFT	10-10-2007, 04:22 PM What a weird coincidence. i reformatted my WD My Book Premium to HFS last night the mac will read both FAT32 and NTFS as mentioed above but will only write to FAT32. the My Book come preformatted to FAT32. I formatted mine to HFS Journalled and it works great. seems quicker (over firewire). However, im gonna have to put it back to FAT32 and connect it to my PC as im also using a Netgear SC101 which is shared by the PC but the WD Backup software on the mac cant see the shares. Wish i'd checked before formatting DOH!
	QUOTE Thanks

grouston #6 (permalink)
Member Since: May 04, 2011 Posts: 5	05-21-2011, 06:45 AM I published my latest book on a PC, recently switched to a Mac, the files for my book are transfered sucessfully but I cannot work on them, how do I make those files open so I can work on the reedit of my book?
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)