Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: On Mac how to convert Pc format External Hard disk?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    142

    On Mac how to convert Pc format External Hard disk?

    Hello guys, I recently got a Mac book as gift on my birthday earlier I had my book external drive, with mostly my media files on it, is there any way for me to convert those media files into a format supported by Mac. If yes then where can I get it as I have searched the net for it couldn’t get to a relevant site to provide help on this matter, hence can anyone help me out on this as I really need to convert those files ASAP.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    687

    Re: On Mac how to convert Pc format External Hard disk?

    If you have all the files formatted as FAT32, then you don't have to change the file method as both Mac OS X & Windows operating systems can read & write to the external drive if formatted in FAT32 .However, if the External drive is formatted as NTFS, then you must convert it to either FAT32 format or HFS format+ in case you need to both read & write to it (OS X can only read from NTFS, not write). What you do is connect the drive to the Mac & open Disk Utility. You'll get formatting options from there.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    138

    Re: On Mac how to convert Pc format External Hard disk?

    I would like to appreciate you for your help. I followed your steps. When you reached in disk utilities, I selected the outside hard drive and went to the erase button. Did you actually want me to click the delete button on the bottom right hand corner there is not on the hard drive anyway so I do not mind erasing anything. Hence I clicked on the erase button and it gave me an option whether I want to erase it or reformate it. And finally I was successful in formatting my drive in a compatible format to Mac, thanks once again.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    681

    Re: On Mac how to convert Pc format External Hard disk?

    In Windows platform the NTFS format is better than FAT32 as it can accept both files larger than 4GB. But you may feel the need to make use of Mac OS Extended (Journal) format for your Mac. To format use Disk Utility found HD Apps Utilities in Disk Utility. Once you opened the Disk Utility you need to select the option which guides you to select hard drive click on Erase tab with the drop down menu select Mac OS Extended (Journal). The Partition tab is right next door in the event you need over volume

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    1,035

    Re: On Mac how to convert Pc format External Hard disk?

    There is actually no need to format a NTSF file format External hard drive to Mac Journal or FAT32 format instead, You can download NTFS3G or NTSF for MAC so you can use your External hard drive without the necessity of reformatting. you can term this as a mere co incidence but just a few days back I had to do the same procedure as I had Sony Vaio notebook and had an external hard drive. Hope this helps you.

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 13
    Last Post: 11-05-2012, 10:48 AM
  2. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-09-2011, 03:36 AM
  3. can't format my external hard drive
    By Calvin K in forum Vista Hardware Devices
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 15-07-2010, 05:49 PM
  4. How to fix an external hard drive? LaCie Desktop Hard Disk
    By Catchkuber in forum Hardware Peripherals
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 11-05-2010, 06:01 PM
  5. How to Format external Hard Drive
    By squirekat in forum Hardware Peripherals
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 18-11-2008, 07:48 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Page generated in 1,711,676,207.66488 seconds with 17 queries