I cannot get files from my desktop to my external hard drive

Does anyone have any information on why my external hard drive would not be allowing me to move files from my computer to my external hard drive?  I have a Seagate Free Agent external hard drive.  It has 1TB of space that is no where near being used.  It will show up on the desktop when I plug it in, but i cannot move anything to it.  Also, I have a few movies on the external hard drive that I cannot view for some reason.  Does anyone have any input on why that could be?  It gives me the pop up window that says "a required codec isn't available."  Any onformation will be very helpful.  Thank you in advance for your help.

leemamacita wrote:
i have tried to transfer files from my mac to my external hard drive but i just couldn't.. help me
More information would help. How is the external connected? Does the external appear on your Desktop? Has the external been formatted for a Mac? What method do you use to transfer files? When you try to move a file to the external, what does happen?

Similar Messages

  • I cannot transfer files from my MacBook to my external hard drive anymore.

    I cannot transfer files from my MacBook to my external hard drive anymore. The device responds with error-36 about documents being unreadable and unwritable. Previously the device worked fine.
    External Hard Drive
    I have an imation Apollo II 2.5" Portable HDD 320GB.
    163 GB available.
    Macbook
    Model Name: MacBook Finder Version 10.6.8
      Model Identifier: MacBook6,1
      Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
      Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
      Number Of Processors: 1
      Total Number Of Cores: 2
      L2 Cache: 3 MB
      Memory: 2 GB
      Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

    It still doesn't seem to work.
    The Finder can’t complete the operation because some data in “POLITICS COMPARATIVE POLITICS IN GLOBAL WORLD” can’t be read or written.
    (Error code -36)
    The device is also formatted in Mac OS extended

  • I just got my first mac pro and I can't get the photos out of iPhotos moved on my hp external hard drive, I try export says unable, then I try to drag it from the desktop to the external hard drive but same problem. Thank you so much

    I just got my first mac pro and I can't get the photos out of iPhotos and move them on my hp external hard drive, I try export says unable, then I try to drag it from the desktop to the external hard drive but same problem. what to do? Thank you so much

    How is your external drive formatted? Use Disk Utility to check the volume format. If it is NTFS, you will need to reformat the HDD as exFAT in order to retain universal compatibility (RW to it on both Mac and Windows).

  • How do I export video files from iPhoto to a backup external hard drive for safekeeping?

    How do I export video files from iPhoto to a backup external hard drive for safekeeping?  Each time I try, the video will not play from the external hard drive.

    Use the File ➙ Export ➙ File Export menu option with Kind = Original.  That should get the original video file exported.  Try to export one to the Desktop first and open it with Quicktime Player.  If all goes well export the rest to a folder on the EHD. How is the EHD formatted?  It should be OS X Extended (journaled).

  • I can't transfer files from my mac to an external hard drive. what can i do?

    i have tried to transfer files from my mac to my external hard drive but i just couldn't.. help me

    leemamacita wrote:
    i have tried to transfer files from my mac to my external hard drive but i just couldn't.. help me
    More information would help. How is the external connected? Does the external appear on your Desktop? Has the external been formatted for a Mac? What method do you use to transfer files? When you try to move a file to the external, what does happen?

  • Downloading files from PC to Mac via external hard drive

    I have already downloaded the files from my PC to an external hard drive. I have connected that external hard drive to my iMac and am attempting to bring those files onto my iMac, but don't know how. Can anyone help? I have it connected, but it seems to be showing up at my Time Machine Backup and I can locate any of the files from my PC.

    Hi and welcome to Discussions,
    here are several ways to migrate your PC files http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2518
    but it seems to be showing up at my Time Machine Backup and I can locate any of the files from my PC
    I am not sure if I understand that one correctly.
    Does your external harddisk comes up as a Time Machine backup in OSX ?
    Or is Time Machine asking if you want to use that external harddisk for backup ?
    Regards
    Stefan

  • How do i transfer my movie files from my mac to my external hard drive

    i want to move some video files from my desktop to my external hardrive, never dont it before need help

    What Mac OSX version?
    Regardless, you open the folder containing the video files, then click/drag those files from their current location to the hard drive icon on your Desktop.
    If your desktop does not show the external drive, post back for how to make it show up.

  • Help! I can't move files from my MacBook to my external hard drive!

    Hey all..
    I can't move files from my MacBook to my 40GB hard drive! Whenever i try to do that the com will reply that i can't move the files because the hard drive cannot be modified. This never happened before and how can it be solved?
    Appreciate all answers thanks..

    What filesystem is your external hard drive formatted as?
    You can check this with the program called Disk Utility.
    My guess is that it is formatted as NTFS, the default filesystem for windows XP. Mac OS X only supports read-only access to NTFS-formatted drives.
    Reformatting, and with it erasing everything on your drive, to another filesystem would be a solution if this is the case.
    Google recently released MacFUSE which should allow read-write support to ntfs-drives. Not recommended for the un*x-unexperienced, though.
    Martin

  • How do i save files from mac pro to an external hard drive

    how do i save files from mac pro to an external hard drive

    Your external drive is formatted NTFS which OS X can read from but not write to. You can either install third-party software on the Mac to enable writing to the drive or repartition and reformat the drive for exclusive use with the Mac. If you don't need to move files between a Mac and a PC, then I would recommend the latter solution.
    Tuxera NTFS 2012.3.2
    NTFS for Mac OS X 9.5.3
    To repartition:
    Drive Preparation
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select the external hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.

  • How do i move a file from my mac to an external hard drive?, how do i move a file from my mac to an external hard drive?

    how do i move a file or folder from my mac book pro to an external hard drive? the hard drive is formatted just for the mac.
    i backpacking and taking loads of RAW pics so i need to get them off my mac onto the hard drive. it seems i have to copy them, only some times then some pics dont work!!!!!!!! pain in the arse!!! im quite new to the mac and loving it, but on the old p.c it was easy as!!!!!!!!!!!! help please

    You just drag them and drop them where you want them to go.  If you don't want to keep the original on the source drive, you'll want to delete it afterwards.
    What do you mean "some pics don't work?"  Don't work how?

  • I cannot pass information from my Mac to my external hard drive, what can I do?

    Hello,
    This is my first Mac and I am new to all of it. I have an external hard drive that I use to use with my old PC . On the external hard drive box it says its compatible with both windows and Max os x. I can pass files from my external hard drive to Mac but I cannot pass files from my MacBook Air to my external hard drive. No messages comes up or anything explain why it simply doesnt allow me to do so. What can I do?

    Your hard drive is formatted NTFS for windows.  That format is read-only from OSx.  If it's not needed on Windows anymore, you can use Disk Utility and format it for the Mac.   Mac OS extended (Journaled)  - Partition Map scheme of GUID Partition table.
    Make sure to save any data from the drive as it will be wipped doing the above.

  • How do i save files from my macbook to an external hard drive

    Ive always been a PC user until recently when i purchased a macbook pro. I have an external hard drive that i used to back up all my files including word documents & mp3's etc. I now want to use the same hard drive to back up files from my macbook but i dont want to make a copy of the entire drive (like with time line) i just want to save individual files. When i go to do this, a light grey circle appears with a 'cross out' and i am unnable to copy/save the file. In the past (with PC) all i have had to do is drop and drag to perform this function. I have attempted to make an alias, copy and paste etc to overcome the problem but nothing thus far has worked.

    Your external drive is formatted NTFS which OS X can read from but not write to. You can either install third-party software on the Mac to enable writing to the drive or repartition and reformat the drive for exclusive use with the Mac. If you don't need to move files between a Mac and a PC, then I would recommend the latter solution.
    Tuxera NTFS 2012.3.2
    NTFS for Mac OS X 9.5.3
    To repartition:
    Drive Preparation
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select the external hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.

  • I can't import files from my mac to my external hard drive on a mac. Works on Windows

    I used OS X Mountain Lion and Windows 7. I bought an External Hard Drive Several Years Ago. I can't import files on it, just read it. In Windows i can read and write it. I want to upgrade my OS X Mountain Lion to OS X Mavericks. I am afraid that i will lose all of my files. Please help

    That is because the external drive you are using is formatted in the Windows NTFS format, which is fine for Windows.
    OS X can READ files from that format but can NOT Write to that format. If you want to use that external drive with both Windows and Mac OS X you will need to reformat it in a format that both Windows and OS X can Read from and Write to.
    Those would be FAT32, in OSX it is called MS-DOS (FAT), or exFAT. You do that formatting in either OS X Disk Utility or Windows Disk Management.

  • How do I download files from websites directly into my external hard drive without them saving into my internal hard drive?

    I am a DJ and I download a lot of music from websites. My internal hard drive's space is almost full which in turn makes my macbook really slow. I bought an external hard drive to download everything onto it instead but it still downloads onto my internal hard drive. Please help me

    Assuming you're using Safari, the default download folder is specified in Safari>Preferences>General. Go there and you'll see where Downloads is currently selected. Click on that, select Other, navigate to the directory you want to use and click Select.

  • How can I drag files from my macbook to my external hard drive?

    Hi! I can't seem to drag files to my hard drive using my macbook pro? How can I do that?

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    What happens when you try to drag a file to the external drive? If it just doesn't copy, it's because the external drive is formatted in NTFS, and OS X can't write in NTFS hard drives. There are some solutions:
    1. Buy a third-party application like Paragon NTFS, which will allow you to write in your external drive.
    2. Format the external drive with exFAT or FAT32, so you will be able to use the external drive with PCs and Macs.
    If you choose the last one, copy all the data from the external drive to a Mac or PC before erasing the disk. I recommend you to use exFAT because it hasn't got the limitation of files bigger than 4 GB, so you have to format the external drive on a PC. That's because, if you do it in the Mac, PCs won't recognize it

Maybe you are looking for

  • How can I get Apple to send my iTunes security question answers to my new email?

    Originally, I had my Apple account set up to a gmail account. But then, I deleted my gmail and connected my account to my hotmail instead. I'm going to lose this laptop soon for a new laptop swapout, and this is the only device that lets me use my iT

  • Losing control of input in browser - 2 laptops on same network

    Hello Forum, We have had a sudden worrisome problem.  It has apparently been an off and on problem affecting my partner's MacBook Pro (purchased Fall, 2011) for at least a month now.  The first time it affected my system (MacBook Pro, purchased last

  • Displat Exponential number in text format

    Hello Experts, I have a requirement in which i need to download report output to excel format.I have a field which has value say 72644E236 and is displayed as it is in the ALV list ,but when i download it to excel sheet its displayed as 7,2644E+236 .

  • Printer prints randomly

    Tried to set up to web services and since then our printer prints this phrase randomly serveral times per day. printer randomly prints this statement: Connect h20629.ww2.hp.com:443 HTTP/1.0

  • RMI : Need Help Urgently

    Hi, I am very new to this RMI. I am going through http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/guide/rmi/getstart.doc.html this documentation. and I have created all the Class file including stub and skeleton. but now I am confused with the directory structur