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    External hardrive for Mac and PC

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Odhero, Apr 4, 2009.

  1. Odhero

    Odhero Newbie

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    I want to back up files from both my Mac and PC, aswell as transfer all my itunes to my Mac, which are currently on PC. I am just about to buy a harddrive to do so, but I don't know how to do this, can anyone help?

    I was unsure whether to pus this in the componenets forums, but I thought the Mac users here may be able to provide more help.
     
    Odhero, Apr 4, 2009
    #1
  2. xenon2k9

    xenon2k9 Notebook Evangelist

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    Sure, this is absolutely possible, but there's a few thing you need to know.

    If the hard drive is formatted NTFS, then only Windows will be able to read and write, whereas the mac can only read. You can then download a program for the Mac that can write to NTFS (Paragon NTFS for example - there's freeware programs out there too).

    If you format in HFS, then you can read and write with the Mac, but can only read with Windows. Similarly, you will need to obtain software for your PC to write to HFS.

    I do not suggest formatting in FAT 32. I would recommend going the NTFS route and obtaining a copy of Paragon NTFS. never had any problems going in this route.
     
    xenon2k9, Apr 4, 2009
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  3. MrButterBiscuits

    MrButterBiscuits ~Veritas Y Aequitas~

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    ahhhhh... not quick enough... and good response Xenon knows what he's talking about
     
    MrButterBiscuits, Apr 4, 2009
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  4. pickster

    pickster Notebook Consultant

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    what about those drivers manufactures keep releasing now and then which they say are Mac compatible?
    what are they partitioned as?
     
    pickster, Apr 4, 2009
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