I have connected an external hard drive to my new macbook pro. I only have read access. How do I copy folders to the external hard drive?

I have a new Macbook pro retina. I have connected a WD external hard drive, but have only read access. I want to back up my computer, and have the ability to archaive files. Any suggestions?

I have connected a WD external hard drive, but have only read access.
As ds store already pointed out, if the drive is formatted as NTFS, you can't write to it. Fortunately, the fix is easy, just erase the hard drive using Disk Utility as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
I want to back up my computer, and have the ability to archaive files. Any suggestions?
Backups and archival backups are not necessarily the same thing. An archival backup is to be kept indefinitely far into the future, and should never be changed after it is created. That does not mesh well with being on the same drive as a backup maintained day-to-day. Ideally, archival backups should be written to one drive - possibly multiple backups, but each one should never be touched after it is written - and other backups should be maintained with greater frequency on one or more other drives.
You can get a bit of compromise with an incremental backup, like what Time Machine does. That will keep old data as long as there's still free space on the drive, then will start removing the oldest copies of files to make space for newer stuff when necessary. Another alternative is the way Carbon Copy Cloner does incremental backups, where the data keeps piling up until the drive is full and then the backups fail until you remedy the situation. (This could allow you to fill up a drive and then put it on a shelf as an archival backup and start a new backup on a new drive.)
If you can specify more what you want to do, we can advise you better.

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PowerBook G4 using external HD for iTunes to new MacBook Pro

How can I move my iTunes library (all music, movies, ratings history, etc) from my old PowerBook G4 using an external hard drive to my new MacBook Pro?
Migration Assistant will not work due to incompatible versions of the software, and the Apple Store/Training Crew/Genuis Bar couldn't help me and told me to connect to the external HD, drag my music over and start a new library. But my goal here is to not lose almost ten years of ratings, playlists and history.
The iTunes program files (Version 9.2.1) are on the old PowerBook G4, but all actual music files are on the external. I know this isn't going to be easy, but how can I make this happen without starting over???
Thank you all for your help,
EH

I think I know hte issue but not the immediate solution. Your external drive doesn't have the full library, just the media files. The library files which have all the things you see in hte iTunes browser are on your old computer so you don't see it when you plug the drive into your new computer.
You could try copying just the library files from the hard drive of your old computer to the same location on your new computer, then try opening hte external drive. This might work.
Incidentally, mpst people put their whole library, not just hte media files, on their external drives so it is all a neat package for moving between computers. I don't think, though, that this will be a simple matter of copying the library files to the hard drive because the location references might not work

How do i transfer files an external hard drive to a new macbook pro

how do i transfer files from an external hard drive to a new macbook pro?

thank you. i did that with my old computer, and it saved it as a whole other computer on my new macbook. now if i do the same for the external hard drive, i guess it will save it as another separate computer on the new one. so i guess what i should have asked is, is there any way to copy my whole old computer and external, but have the files integrated into the new mac, so i don't have to log in and out of 3 computers just to use my old programs or to see pictures or movies or files from the past. ??? and i now have the apple tv and i have to turn on my macbook and log into the old computer to see certain old files and pictures or home movies???? there has to be an easier way???

How do i download my files from an external hard drive to my new macbook pro

how do i dowload my files from my external hard drive onto my new macbook pro?

Can you not just drag them from the external drive to a folder on your new computer?

How do i transfer files from my external hard drive to my new macbook pro?

how do i transfer files from my external hard drive to my new macbook pro?

Hi niel, when I open my hard drive in my mac, I cannot find any files in there. I guess its not reading my hard drive.

I get the following error message when I connect a usb ethernet adapter to my new MacBook Pro: Unsupported - You cannot use an Apple USB Modem with this computer. I live were we only have dial-up and the Apple Store said this is what I need.

I get the following error message when I connect a usb ethernet adapter to my new MacBook Pro: Unsupported - You cannot use an Apple USB Modem with this computer. I live where we only have dial-up and the Apple Store said this is what I need. In addition, when I connect the phone to the connecter it falls out, it will not click in.

Why are you using a usb ethernet adaptor? Just plug the modem into the usb port.

I want to transfer my iPhoto from my old MacBook Pro to my new MacBook Pro. I have a firewire or I could also do it from my TimeCapsule. Would one be a better method than the other?

I want to transfer my iPhoto from my old MacBook Pro to my new MacBook Pro. I have a firewire or I could also do it from my TimeCapsule. Would one be a better method than the other?

Hi brotherbrown,
A direct FireWire transfer (especially if it's 800 to 800) is going to be the fastest method. TimeCapsule would work, if you connect to it via Ethernet, via wireless it would be quite slow (especially if you have a large library).

IPhone and MacBook Pro but only have one Apple account

Brand new to the MacBook Pro world. First Apple laptop (or Apple computer at all for that matter) so of course I have some questions. I think I am correct in saying that basically each Apple device has to be separate and apart from another even if they reside in the same household. Meaning that each one has to be logged on to a separate and unique Apple account and email address for things like Facetime and iMessage to work properly. So, with that said......If I personally own the iPhone and MacBook Pro but only have one Apple account how can I make them both work separately and independent of each other??? The problem I've noticed is that Facetime and iMessage do not work and conflict with each of the two devices.

Hi BigDisMe,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Congratulations, and welcome to the Mac World. Actually, you can use an Apple ID, together with iCloud to make your devices work together. Both devices can be connected to the same Apple ID, and use Facetime, Messages, and email together.
As long as both of your devices are updated to the latest OS, OS X 10.9 Mavericks for your MacBook and iOS 7.0.4 for your iPhone, you can:
On Mac:
     1. Open System Preferences-iCloud
     2. There should be a button somewhere that says, "Add Account".
     3. Use your Apple ID to log in.
     4. Make sure to enable your Messages, Facetime, and email accounts.
     5. There is no Step 5.
On iPhone:
     1. Open Settings-iCloud.
     2. There should be a button somewhere that says, "Add Account".
     3. Use your Apple ID to log in.
     4. Make sure to enable your Messages, Facetime, and email accounts.
     5. There is no Step 5.
Good Luck,
-Marcus

This is going to sound mad but how do you open the disk drive on a new macbook pro

HELLO
I can't find how you open the disk drive on my new macbook pro can someone please advise

See if these guys have directions:
http://www.ifixit.com
http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/7984/open+dvd+drive+for+cleaning+or+removal
Of course you can google.

After i have downloaded an album from iCloud to my new macbook pro. Itunes will only play one song at a time. If i hit the fast forward or back button will not do anything. I have to use the mouse to hit the next tidal in the album then hit play for it

after i have downloaded an album from iCloud to my new macbook pro. Itunes will only play one song at a time. If i hit the fast forward or back button will not do anything. I have to use the mouse to hit the next tidal in the album then hit play for it to play the next song. Or put it in the UP NEXT.

First, make sure these items have checkmarks next to their names in iTunes. Continuous playback only works on checked items. Itunes will play all checked items in a list whether or not they're from the same album.
If you see that nothing in your library is checked and you want to check everything, hold down Ctrl while checking an item. This checks everything.
Next, fixing the "1 of 1" problem is easily. Select all the tracks that make up the book/album. Let's say there are 15. Press Ctrl-I. Doublecheck that the album box is filled in with the name of the book, and if not, type it there. Enter "15" in the box for the total number of tracks. Click OK. Now all the items should be "1 of 15," "2 of 15," and so on.

HT1338 When trying to update getting (error surle error domain error-1100). It started yesterday, any help would be great. I have Mountain Lion 10.8.1 on a new macbook pro with retina display.

When trying to update getting (error surle error domain error-1100). It started yesterday, any help would be great. I have Mountain Lion 10.8.1 on a new macbook pro with retina display.

There are many people suffering from this problem right now (including me). It appears to be a server issue. Just wait and try checking for updates again tomorrow.
Some things I have heard indicate that this may be a regional problem, though what parts of the world are affected I don't know yet. A few people have been helped by deleting the following preference file (paste the path into the Go -> Go to Folder window in the Finder to locate it), though most have not:
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist
Note that if you are trying to download iTunes 10.7, that can be found here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1576
Also, note that there is no reason to be anxious to get it, as the only thing added in iTunes 10.7 is compatibility with iOS 6, which will not be available until the 19th, and the new iPhone, which will not be available until later as well. The new iTunes that was announced is iTunes 11, which is also not yet available.

I am currently managing 20 iPads on a macbook. I would like to manage the same 20 iPads on a new macbook pro. I have logged into the iTunes account on the new machine and see our apps but not the devices. How do i get the devices to be shown on new comp?

I am currently managing 20 iPads on a macbook. I would like to manage the same 20 iPads on a new macbook pro. I have logged into the iTunes account on the new machine and see our apps but not the devices. How do i get the devices to be shown on new comp?

Has anyone used apple cpnfigurator for this purpose?

HT203167 I got a new macbook pro but i have lost some music, tv shows and films. How can i get them back?

I got a new macbook pro but i have lost some music, tv shows and films. How can i get them back?

Click here and follow the instructions, or move them from the old computer. Any movies you've previously rented aren't transferable.
(79638)

Purchased Lightroom software on disc, new MacBook Pro does not have a disc drawer.

Purchased Lightroom software on disc, new MacBook Pro does not have a disc drawer. Have already opened box. Searched online and someone suggested downloading the LR trial, and set up Cloud, then can enter the serial number to complete the purchase. Which is what I did, but the serial number is being rejected.

Ok, maybe what they’re calling Creative Cloud is merely your Adobe ID, an e-mail and password to login with. The LR5 6 update link is probably what you want to download—all updates are downloads, anyway, so there’s no need to have a disc reader as long as you have internet and the serial number.
Here is the LR 5.6 update for a Mac: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5822
Another issue might be that what you think is a serial number is a redemption code that needs to be converted to a serial number using this website: http://www.adobe.com/go/getserial A clue that you have a redemption code is that it has letters and numbers. A serial number is just numbers and the first few are 1160-something.

My new macbook pro does not have a safari icon

Just got a new Macbook Pro and when I logged on there's a ? mark where the safari icon should be. Also when i attempt to click on it nothing happens.
I have no way of getting on the internet..

Your Safari application should be in your Applications folder. See if it's there. If it isn't post back. How are you getting onto these forums? Through a browser. Then download:
http://www.apple.com/safari/download/

I have connected an external hard drive to my new macbook pro. I only have read access. How do I copy folders to the external hard drive?

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