Convert External HD from PC to Mac

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Level 1

10 points

Convert External HD from PC to Mac

I have an external hard drive hooked up to a PC. I no longer use the PC and would like to use the external HD with this iMac. I have a feeling that it will not work because it's probably formated for the PC. How can I make it work with the iMac.
Can I just plug it into the USB port and reformat it? If so, how do I configure it to re-format it?

iMac G4, 80 gb iPod

Posted on Nov 4, 2007 4:19 PM

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Answer 1

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Nov 4, 2007 4:28 PM in response to Commonman

The drive will currently be in FAT32 or NTFS format.

Connect the drive to the iMac.
It will load on the desktop.
Copy any data off the drive.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select the drive in the left hand pane.
Choose the "Erase" tab.
Choose +Volume Format+: "+Mac OS Extended (Journalled)+"
Press "Erase...".

This will delete all data off the drive and whilst in Mac OS Extended (aka HFS+) will not mount on a PC.

Leave in FAT32 for use in Macs and PCs. ("MS-DOS (FAT) " in Disk Utility).

Hope that helps.

mrtotes

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Answer 2

Commonman Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 5, 2007 10:57 AM in response to mrtotes

Oh, one more thing...If I choose Volume Format: "Mac OS Extended (Journalled)"
Press "Erase...", are you saying I will not then be able to use this drive in the PC? I'm pretty sure that's what your saying.

Using your recommended process, how do I "Leave in FAT32 for use in Macs and PCs?" Would that be NOT to follow your recommended process?

My primay objective is to back up files I have on an external hard drive that I already have connected (and use regularly) to my iMac.

So, I was thinking of just plugging the 2nd HD into the iMac and backing up the stuff that is on the other external HD. It sounds like I may not have to re-format it to do that. Or am I totally missing your meaning?

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Answer 3

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Nov 5, 2007 12:50 PM in response to Commonman

Option 1. I regularly use the drive with both Macs and PCs to exchange data between the two computers: - Format as "+MS-DOS (FAT)+".

Option 2. I will only ever use the drive with a Mac: - Format as "+Mac OS Extended (Journalled)+".

Hope that helps.

mrtotes

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Answer 4

Nov 19, 2007 1:06 AM in response to mrtotes

Hi there,

Im using a MBP with Leopard. I'm trying to use Timemachine to do a backup of my files on the MBP. It requires the external HD to be in that MAC OS Extended (Journalled) format.

So if I reformat the drive into that format, I will not be able to use it on a PC elsewhere?

Because I'm looking for a way to sync my HD on the MBP to an external hard drive so I can work on a PC, say at school, and save files onto the external HD, namely a USB, then be able to sync any updated work back on my MBP, and vise-versa.

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Answer 5

mrtotes

Level 6

11,836 points

Nov 19, 2007 3:43 AM in response to Arthur Tsoi

Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions.

I've never used a MacBook Pro nor TimeMachine so you may be best to ask in a more relevant forum.

Windows can't read HFS+ drives by default but the application MacDrive (link) will enable them to do so. Clearly you can't install this on the PCs at school.

Also TimeMachine takes up large amounts of space so I would serious recommend purchasing different drives for these two distinct purposes.

In fact, for transferring a few files between school and home a USB Thumb Drive formated in FAT32 (can be write/read by both) is probably more than enough.

cheers

mrtotes

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