H_Miri
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Using an external hard drive with El Capitan

I plugged a Toshiba external HD in a macbook pro with OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 to back up some files.

 

First, it prompted if I wanted to use it for time machine. I selected "Decide Later".

 

Then, I realised I could not create a new folder on the HD, nor could I paste anything on it (to back up).

 

I could copy stuff from the HD and paste it on my desktop only, but that is not what I need...

 

Is this a typical problem? Is it because I chose to decide later? Has anyone come across this before?

 

 

(p.s. Please also advise if the question category I have selected should be changed)

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 10:03 AM

Close
H_Miri

Q: Using an external hard drive with El Capitan

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,Helpful

    Niel Niel Sep 21, 2016 10:19 AM in response to H_Miri
    Level 10 (313,365 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 21, 2016 10:19 AM in response to H_Miri

    This generally means that the volume is formatted as NTFS, in which case it either needs to be reformatted or software such as Paragon NTFS installed onto the Mac. To check, select the volume in the Finder, choose Get Info, and look at the format.

    In the event that this occurs for a FAT32, exFAT, or Mac OS Extended volume, either the volume's directory structure is damaged, or it's locked in hardware, or the drive has sensed that it's about to fail.

     

    (144796)

  • by H_Miri,

    H_Miri H_Miri Sep 21, 2016 10:24 AM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 21, 2016 10:24 AM in response to Niel

    Thanks for your reply.

    You are absolutely right:

    Upon selecting the volume in the Finder and choosing Get Info, I can see the format as Windows NT File System (NTFS)

    I do not intend to re-format it or install any software on my Mac just for this, so I guess that means I cannot use it to back up files from my Mac then...