transferring files to external hard drive

How do I change the format of the external disk if it is indeed NTFS? Also, when having the format as FAT or exFAT, does it still allow me to move things into and out the disk between the external disk and a WINDOWS computer/laptop?

I am very puzzled by your comment "I first tried using time machine but it wants me to erase all current data on my hd and that is just out of the question." Time Machine would not issue such a command. The inital backup would copy everything on your internal HDD. That is the purpose of Time Machine.

Is your external HDD formatted for your MBP? If not, connect it to your MBP and open DISK UTILITY>ERASE. Drag the external drive into the ''Name field and select from the 'Format' list Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Click on the 'Erase' button in the lower right hand corner. You should be ready to set it up for Time Machine.

Please understand that your MBP is new to you and you will simply have to go through a learning curve. I personally think the Apple OS is a good system and I hope in time you will agree.

Ciao.

Allison187 wrote:

it won't let me do this

If the external drive was formatted under Windows with the default file system, then it's NTFS. Without additional software, Mac OS X does not support writing to NTFS, only reading it. You can check the drive's format in Finder. Select the drive's icon, choose File > Get Info, or press ⌘I, and check what is listed for "Format:". If it says, "Windows NT File System (NTFS)", then, before using the drive with the Mac, you need to use Disk Utility to reformat it either as MS-DOS (FAT) or as exFAT. Reformating, of course, will destroy any data currently on the drive.

Thank you Apple. Great Job!!

I don't understand really how this is good for business.