Can't put files onto Toshiba external hard drive from MacBook Air... HELP

Question

Can't put files onto Toshiba external hard drive from MacBook Air... HELP

I have a number of files saved onto my MacBook Air which I would like to transfer to my Toshiba hard-drive. When i click and drag the file, a rejection cross appears and it doesn't allow me to transfer the files. I understand that if I go into Disk Utilities I can change the format of the external hard drive.

Does this mean I can only use my external hard drive on Apple products? Will changing to apples format inhibit me from using my external hard drive on Windows operating systems and will reformatting completely wipe the entire hard drive? 😢

Many thanks!

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Apr 18, 2017 11:10 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,093 points

Apr 18, 2017 11:17 AM in response to Timothy-Ferris

The drive is formatted NTFS which OS X can read from but not write to without using third-party software like NTFS for Mac. Otherwise, you need to reformat the drive to FAT32 (MSDOS) for use on both platforms or Mac OS Extended, Journaled for use only on the Mac. Then use third-party software for Windows like MacDrive.

Reply

Answer 2

Apr 18, 2017 11:41 AM in response to Kappy

If I reformat the drive to FAT32 (MSDOS) will this wipe all the current data off the drive? Can I reformat the drive to FAT32 (MSDOS) on my mac or will I need a program to do so?

Reply

Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,093 points

Apr 18, 2017 11:49 AM in response to Timothy-Ferris

Yes, it will. You can reformat the drive on your PC or the Mac. But you will need another drive or location on your PC to temporarily transfer what is on this drive. After reformatting it you can Move the files back.

There are features of NTFS you will lose using FAT. No long file names. All file names are limited to a maximum of 11 characters inclusive of extensions. Some special characters will be forbidden. You may not that files like those will have an odd looking filename since MSDOS will need to alter the filename. This will also go for Mac files. I suggest only storing document files on the disk.

Reply