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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Backup Hard Drive for Mac HELP
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06/14/2012 06:49:20 AM · #1
Just after some help with this please.

Today I purchased two 2TB Seagate Expansion Drives. I want to move all my work to one drive and then use the second drive as a backup.

I didn't think about the fact that I now have an iMac computer. Can I use these on both my Mac and Windows PC without a problem. Must admit that the box doesn't mention anything about using with a Mac so not sure if this will cause a problem. I have a small old hard drive that I plug via USB into my Mac and it seems to work so I didn't really think about this when I purchased these.

I also found information on this link LINK about changing it to work with both but don't know if I need to do this.

Will these work out of the box or do I need to reformat as advised above and will that work without a problem (saw other sites mention that some tried to reformat and now neither their Mac nor Windows machines can see the drive but it was - they were reformatting to FAT32 whereas the link above suggests reformatting to MS-DOS (FAT)

Help with this greatly appreciated.

Maria
06/14/2012 07:09:35 AM · #2
Out of box, no, not so far as I know.
This Cnet article is of use to you.

Message edited by author 2012-06-14 07:10:11.
06/14/2012 07:24:31 AM · #3
Of is this the way to do it and will it then only work with a mac

LINK
06/14/2012 08:22:27 AM · #4
The discussion linked by Derek gets right to the point. Personally, I would not use FAT32, but would go for "Option 1" in Derek's link. I only choose Option 1 over Option 2 because I'm more familiar with NTFS (more PC-centric). If you are more Mac-centric, Option 2 may make sense.
06/14/2012 02:21:53 PM · #5
I have a Macbook running both Windows and OSX and this is my approach to sharing drives, both internal and external:

I used Disk Utility to partition the drive into whatever proportions I want, currently I have 600GB for OSX and 150GB for Windows. I format the Windows partition to MS-DOS and the OSX partition to Mac Extended Journaled. Then after connecting to the HD with my PC, I reformat the Windows partition in NTFS. I don't worry much about being able to pass files back and forth since the external drive is just used to backup the respective systems.

ETA: If you want to access files on one system from another and the systems are on separate machines, you can always log into one system from the other as long as they're both on.

Message edited by author 2012-06-14 15:15:40.
06/14/2012 03:11:29 PM · #6
Yep, Pretty much need to reformat the drives. If there is software that they want you to add (can't remember if it was Seagate or Western Dig that did this) that monitors the drive, has "disc lights", etc. Forget it. Will only make problems.
Don't forget to repair all you Permissions after installing new software or new drives, too. :-)
06/14/2012 05:01:55 PM · #7
I'm a little puzzled as to how this all works.

I have a WD elements drive that I used to backup when I lost my windows desktop (pulled out the drives and hooked up to an old computer as second drives and then copied information over to the external hard drive).

If I connect this to my iMac it shows on the desktop and I can open it and see folder and files and drop the files onto my desktop. I can't write to it though - tried dropping a picture onto the files and also tried to create a folder.

So, I can pull all the backed up information off the drive onto the iMac, then reformat it to a Mac and the backup as I please. Is that correct??

If I format it for a Mac will I be able to see the information on a PC, interact with it (pull images over to the laptop etc) but not write to it in the same way that is currently happening??

Thanks everyone.
06/14/2012 05:23:30 PM · #8
Mac will read, but not write to NTFS formatted disks

PC will not read or write to Mac formatted disks

You can buy apps (for Mac or PC) that will fully enable read/write going from Mac to NTFS disks or from PC to Mac formats. I have no idea how well they work.

If you divide the external disk into an NTFS partition and a Mac portion the Mac will be able to use the Mac formatted portion as backup. The PC will be able to use the NTFS portion as backup.

It sounds like you want to be able to store files and be able to access any them with either system at anytime regardless of which system put them there, is that right?
06/14/2012 05:38:35 PM · #9
I suppose I want it to be like a giant USB stick.
Can be read and written to by either system.
What system does a USB stick use - MS-DOS (FAT) or FAT 32 that it can be accessed by either machine?

06/14/2012 06:05:57 PM · #10
I have 3 WD external hard drives and use them on both my I Mac and windows laptop no problems yet!
06/14/2012 10:49:32 PM · #11
Originally posted by RamblinR:

I suppose I want it to be like a giant USB stick.
Can be read and written to by either system.
What system does a USB stick use - MS-DOS (FAT) or FAT 32 that it can be accessed by either machine?


Most removable "stick" storage is formatted FAT32, which is why you can read and write to it from both machines. While that's acceptable for temporary storage, you don't want FAT32 on a hard drive partition if you can avoid it. If you want to use the drive manufacturer's software when it's connected to the PC, then keep it formatted NTFS and install a third-party app on the Mac so it can be written to.

Message edited by author 2012-06-14 22:49:55.
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