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    External HDD - How to transfer files from Mac - PC?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by passive101, Mar 18, 2009.

  1. passive101

    passive101 Notebook Deity

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    I picked up a 320 GB HDD at walmart. It is USB which I know will work fine. What format does it have to be formatted in so I can copy the files from the mac running Leopard to a Windows machine running Vista?
     
    passive101, Mar 18, 2009
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  2. i.like.pie

    i.like.pie Notebook Consultant

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    To format it under Leopard, use Disk Utility and format it with "MS-DOS File System"

    To format under Vista, use Disk Management to format with "FAT32".

    Hope this helps!
     
    i.like.pie, Mar 18, 2009
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  3. passive101

    passive101 Notebook Deity

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    Cool. Thank you very much. I knew there was one they would both read.
     
    passive101, Mar 18, 2009
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  4. Seshan

    Seshan Rawrrr!

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    Seshan, Mar 18, 2009
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  5. passive101

    passive101 Notebook Deity

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    It looks like the drive came pre formatted in FAT 32 anyways. That saves some effort.
     
    passive101, Mar 18, 2009
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  6. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    FAT32 is limited in file size. So if you are going to transfer large files (>2gb) then you should format to NTFS.
     
    lixuelai, Mar 19, 2009
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  7. tsam19

    tsam19 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Format your hard drive on the Mac to HFS.
    Load Macdrive on your Pc.
    Your Pc under the Macdrive program automatically recognises the mac format
    when you plug your ex hd in.
    Swap files between both computers no hassle via external hard drive
     
    tsam19, Mar 19, 2009
    #7