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It backs up via time machine, but when I drag a file to it, it says i don't have permission to write, only read. What do i need to do to change it to do both? This is an iMac 24" bought this year.
thx
NEVER EVER attempt to share a Time Machine drive with storing data. The reason being is when the drive fails (yes all HD will fail) you will lose not only your data but it's backup too! Be smart and buy yourself another external HD to use for storing data. What can take up a great deal of space on your computer is media such as photo libraries, movie libraries and music libraries. It is wise to move these libraries (please read Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support) and your Time Machine backup will back that data up too.
When you are shopping for an external HD, also it is wise to spend a few dollars more to buy high quality storage. Many experienced users on these forums prefer the OWC Mercury Elite Pro series due to their efficient cooling which translates into longevity, reasonable pricing and great support. As a general rule stay away from Walmart quality EHDs such as WD, Toshiba and Seagate enclosures. They are designed to be throw away and have poor cooling. The internal HD's are good quality, it is the enclosures they use that are awful.
NEVER EVER attempt to share a Time Machine drive with storing data. The reason being is when the drive fails (yes all HD will fail) you will lose not only your data but it's backup too! Be smart and buy yourself another external HD to use for storing data. What can take up a great deal of space on your computer is media such as photo libraries, movie libraries and music libraries. It is wise to move these libraries (please read Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support) and your Time Machine backup will back that data up too.
When you are shopping for an external HD, also it is wise to spend a few dollars more to buy high quality storage. Many experienced users on these forums prefer the OWC Mercury Elite Pro series due to their efficient cooling which translates into longevity, reasonable pricing and great support. As a general rule stay away from Walmart quality EHDs such as WD, Toshiba and Seagate enclosures. They are designed to be throw away and have poor cooling. The internal HD's are good quality, it is the enclosures they use that are awful.
Funhouse1 wrote:
Hi, I am now talking about the internal hard drive. Any insight into fixing that?
thx
Yup, please take the computer to your local Apple Authorized Service Provider to be addressed. If you need help locating one in your general area please begin by clicking AASP Locator
Funhouse1 wrote:
I used to be able to drag and drop files to my previous iMac. Not on this one. Also, can't create new folders on it. I can create new folders on the desktop or the cloud, not the internal HD.
I guess the work around is to do it under specific users. Just seems a little less user friendly.
thx
That is 100% normal. You cannot write to the main "Macintosh HD", or the "root" drive.
This is due to the new macOS Security and read-only system volume: Protecting data at multiple layers.
Jack
However it was formatted straight out of the box is how it is formatted. This is the message I get when I attempt to change the privilege in the info panel for the internal HD: "The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have the necessary permission". I don't know how to change permissions.
thx
APFS format is correct so you are good there, if you want to change read/write permissions I was able to locate an article for you, How to Change Permissions on an External Hard Drive for a Mac | Techwalla
I used to be able to drag and drop files to my previous iMac. Not on this one. Also, can't create new folders on it. I can create new folders on the desktop or the cloud, not the internal HD.
I guess the work around is to do it under specific users. Just seems a little less user friendly.
thx
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
You cannot store files on the same volume that is being used to backup your Mac with Time Machine.
Jack
Thx for the info. I set up another HD. How come I can't save files to my internal HD? I try to drag and drop them to the internal HD and it doesn't work.
thx
How is the new HD formatted and have you set it's permissions to read/write?
It's formatted APFS. Why would it come formated that way? If I understand correctly, I would have to erase the HD and reformat it. I would loose all of our files, etc.
Hi, I am now talking about the internal hard drive. Any insight into fixing that?
thx
Where on your internal Macintosh HD are you trying to write files?
Can't save files to the harddrive on our new iMac.
