Any tips on going in between PC and Mac for storage purposes? I didn't install any of the software, i just plugged it into my PC. but when I plugged it into my Mac desktop, it became read-only, making it useless for my purposes. Any tips on going in between PC and Mac for storage purposes? I didn't install any of the software, i just plugged it into my PC. but when I plugged it into my Mac desktop, it became read-only,... » Read More Any tips on going in between PC and Mac for storage purposes? I didn't install any of the software, i just plugged it into my PC. but when I plugged it into my Mac desktop, it became read-only, making it useless for my purposes. « Show Less
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I talked about this in my review, actually, as my hd didn't come with the driver.. You have to install the driver in order for it to work on the mac unless you want time machine to reformat it for you (but then it won't work on a PC). There's also this link..http://blog.nolar.info/ntfs-3g-in-mac-os-x-lion-10-7-with-read-write-support/Hope that helps..
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Yes, you can store any data on it. If you are going to be using the drive with both Mac and PC, you should consider reformatting it as ExFAT, which is fully compatible with both. It will provide the most flexibility.
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Hi Shiki, This is very helpful. Is it easy to partition the drive? I just ordered this so I don't have the drive yet, but when it comes I'd like to back up both my Mac and PC... Do you know where to find information on how to partition? Thank you!
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I was using my slot disk for the Mac. I forgot what cable it it that you can use but I googled it and brought it on amazon. You can also just by a USB slot disk and connect it with your computer
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I would also like that information. I am sitting on the fence and wondering which I should buy PC or MAC?Also how do I transfer my folders? I also have a laptop that is a PC and want to be able to use it as well. My family all say get a desktop MAC. But I am not sure it is worth it for me. I am a writer and I get my e-mail and that is about it. I hate being on the learning curve with the MAC. What to do?
1012950
Hi Jeffrey, I have used both PCs and Macs. The transition is temporary. The joy lasts a lifetime. The Apple software bundled with the Mac is designed as beautifully as is the machine.
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I understand that you can, in theory, but have read experts who advise against it. I use mine to back up Macs (which it does perfectly), but have a separate arrangement for PCs.
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If you have a PC, you will generally format this drive using the NTFS file system. A Mac can only read NTFS formatted drives, but can not write to them.If you format this drive to FAT32, both PC and Mac will be able to read/write to it.*the limitations of FAT32 however, prevent a single file size being greater than 4Gb
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If you format the drive for the Mac, it will NOT be recognized by the PC. This is a limitation of the Windows operating system. It does not recognize Mac formatting. If you format the drive for the PC, though, you will be able to use it on BOTH platforms. Mac OSX will recognize PC formatted drives. You will be able to read and write to the drive from either your Mac OR your PC and transfer files between them. [Note: You will NOT, however, be able to run the PC software that's included with this drive on your Mac, unless you are using a program like Bootcamp or Virtual PC. While OSX will read and write Windows-formatted files, it will NOT run Windows programs on its own without one or another third-party helper programs. Hope this helps - RJLaue
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The Mac and PC versions are one and the same, but needs to be formatted if the PC version is to be used with a Mac. There is a video on-line that explains how to do this.
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At least in my case, although I have MAC as well, the device came with an installation disk for windows only. I used on Windows. PS: Extremely happy with the easy of use and performance in windows.
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I don't have a Mac with me, so I'll just give you rough instructions. When you're on the desktop, at the top of your screen, one of the menu drop downs will take you to the disk utility. In there, you should see this disk listed somewhere in the left pane. Click the drive to highlight it, then on the right, you'll have an option to erase/format the disk. I believe you format it to extended journaled or something like that, don't pick case sensitive. After you do that, you should be able to use the drive with your Mac. I believe it's originally formatted to NTFS, which should be useable with OSX as well, but not as fully compatible, though it would also work with Windows. If you want good compatibility between the two operating systems, you can format it to FAT32, I believe those are better compatible. I haven't had much time with Macs, so not 100% sure on that, but you can give it a try. :)
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No, I don't think you can. These drives are usually either for a Mac or PC and not interchangeable. I don't know of any that you could use for the purpose you want. Have you looked into something like Carbonite? There are others like this out there. This is a remote program to store your files and then you can get them from anywhere. You could look into this. It takes quite a while to save your files initially but then works in the background after that. Congrats for switching to a Mac. There is a learning curve but I'm sure, in the end, you will be glad you did!
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I wrote you a response (which is below) but I realized you might be confused as to what this product is. This isn't an external hard drive. It's a hard drive enclosure, it's basically an empty shell that holds a hard drive. You have to buy the actual drive separately You should be good in that direction PC to Mac. Windows uses the NT File System on it's drives, Mac's can read those files and copy them to the mac, but mac's can't write to a NTFS drive. So you couldn't add or save anything on to the drive. A solution for this would be to make a partition that's FAT32 both mac and windows can read and write to that, it's the file system flash drives usually have. Sometimes there's a 32GB limit on FAT32 drives so you might not be able to turn the whole drive into it. But you can partition one drive into multiple parts.
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Yes you can. When you go to format it make sure you set it to be used on both macs and pcs.
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I use this strictly to do OSX backups using TimeMachine. This drive is formatted for use with Apple computers and is not formatted to be accessed by PCs. I have no idea what you are trying to accomplish, whether it is backing up data using backup tools or just trying to copy files to an external drive that either system can read. Regardless, this is not a good, cost effective, starting point for you. You would need to totally reformat the drive and consider if your PC supports USB 3 because this drive is built to support that higher transfer rate.
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PC and Mac use different file systems. It will work on one or the other but not both at the same time.