Unable to partition external hd

Question

Unable to partition external hd

I have two HD with files in MS-DOS (FAT) format. But I have some files over 5gb, so I`d like to create a partition in exFAT, without loosing the original files (aka, without formatting the HD).

With one of them, when I use the Disk Utility, I can open the partitioning menu, but when I try adding a new partition (clicking on the + button) nothing happens! See the screenshot:

The other one doesn`t even let me open the partition menu (it`s grey, and I can`t click on it):

What should I do??

Thanks

MacBook Pro (13-inch Late 2011), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Apr 3, 2016 3:38 PM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

227,430 points

Apr 3, 2016 4:52 PM in response to marafromsaopaulo

You can not re-size a FAT partition. You can not create a partition where there is no free space to do so. You can not re-partition / re-format the drive without erasing it.

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Answer 2

Apr 3, 2016 4:52 PM in response to KiltedTim

Ok, thanks!

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Answer 3

Apr 3, 2016 7:03 PM in response to marafromsaopaulo

If you are trying to move files between Mac and Windows computer check out the following software.

Paragon NTFS for Mac - Write / read access to NTFS under OS X El Capitan: Paragon NTFS for Mac® 14

It allows you to read and write files onto an external drive which has been formatted on a Windows computer as NTFS.

Kim

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