Disk Erasing to MS-DOS FAT big problem

I tried erasing my flash drive using disk utility because it had a virus. I set my flash drive to MS-DOS FAT so I can use it for windows. When I erased it, I noticed the the drive was now Mac OS Extended.
Well, the obvious response here is that you've done something wrong. Is this the same flash drive that you said, on another thread, was partitioned into two volumes, one Mac and one FAT? If so, did you erase the right one? Are you looking at the Mac volume? Did you want to repartition it to only have one (FAT) volume?
Now when I plug PC its now reading only 200MB out of the 4.11 it currently has?
4.11 what? That's an odd number. Where's it coming from?

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FedEx/Kinkos and StaplesPrint Can't Read MS-DOS (FAT) Formatted Thumb Drive

Lately, when I take a thumb drive that I've formatted using Disk Utility to MS-DOS (FAT), the computers at FedEx and Staples can't mount them. I've tried multiple thumb drives and multiple stores--same thing, they won't mount.
Shouldn't a MS-DOS (FAT) formatted thumb drive work? Or, an I missing something.

Fortuny wrote:
Hi,
thank you for the valuable informations about the MacDrive on these stations.
But are you sure about the APT partition scheme ?
Shouldn't it be GPT (GUID Partition Table) in conjunction with Mac OS Extended file system ?
Never used such stations, only trying to avoid confusion.
Stefan, you're incredibly helpful and don't need to worry in the least about me taking your posts the wrong way.
The combo of APT (Apple Partition Table) and HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) is the most compatible across platforms. GPT doesn't offer any advantages to a USB flash drive unless you are intending to use it as boot drive on an Intel-based Mac. GPT also limits the backwards compatibility (possibly not an issue) with older versions of the Mac OS.

Ext disk volume still says "MS-DOS (FAT)" after erase/partition?

Hi, and thanks in advance. I have actually searched here, read quite a bit including the FAQ on using an ext drive with Time Machine (what I'm trying to do) but am still not clear.
I'm bringing over a 500G ext drive from my PC to my new iMac. I've used Disk Utility (I thought) to erase the drive, and form a single new partition.
When I click on that partition, the Volume info appears correct: it is Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and named Backup Book. However, if I click on the drive itself (with size and ID info) that still is listed as a MS-DOS (FAT) volume, and is untitled.
I'm doing a giant "huh" here, even with all my searching, so will be grateful for any assistance. Should I expect this behavior? If not, where did I go wrong? Thanks again.

Do this:
Extended Hard Drive Preparation
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder. If you need to reformat your startup volume, then you must boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger or Leopard.)
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, 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. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs) then click on the OK button. 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 Options 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.

Disk Utility - Erasing a hard drive using MS-DOS (FAT)

Hi all,
I have recently purchased a 500GB external hard drive. I have used Disk Utility to format the drive from NTFS to MS-DOS (FAT) so I can use it with Windows PC's as well as Mac's.
My issue is this.
I copied a 1.16GB file over Firewire 800 to test the speed and then deleted it. After deleting the file the info pane still reports that 1.17GB of the drive has been used.
Why is this?
Thanks!
David

Did you remember to empty the trash can? If not, the file is in the hidden directory .Trashes on the Windows drive. You don't reclaim the space until you empty the trash.

Erased disk - BIG problems with OSX and restoring from TM

Hi,
Please bare with me here - I've been trying to solve this problem across the last 3 days.
I was advised by a friend to do a fresh install of OSX after erasing my current in internal HDD (2009 Macbook Pro 13").
I 1st confirmed that time machine had a complete back-up on my external USB drive
I followed the instructions via the OSX install disk, erased the current drive and then completed the OSX re-install.
When the time came to migrate, I received a screen message stating that my time machine back-up contains a newer version of OSX and therefore could not be migrated.
I allowed the new OSX install to complete and then updated to the latest version of OSX.
I opened migration assistant and followed the instructions to restore my last time machine back-up. This took a while but seemed to work.
I rebooted and was only able to find the clean OSX install - I could not locate the restored files from time machine - not anywhere. However my HDD was now showing a free space of 140Gb (of a total 500) so something had been restored.
I spent many hrs looking and in the end went back to square one - erased HDD and reinstalled OSX.
This is the point I'm at now and I have no idea how to get my time machine back-up restored?????

Please bare with me here
What exactly are we going to bare!
I was advised by a friend to do a fresh install of OSX after erasing my current in internal HDD (2009 Macbook Pro 13").
Assuming you had a very good reason and you guys had tried everything else including an archive and install of course
I rebooted and was only able to find the clean OSX install - I could not locate the restored files from time machine - not anywhere.
Did you check for invisible folders in your users folder i.e "ls -a /Users/" ?
I spent many hrs looking and in the end went back to square one - erased HDD and reinstalled OSX.
Hmmm you could have asked here before square one but regardless check this forum out http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1227&start=0. At the top you will find tips by Pondini which will tell you at the very least how to get your old system back. Also what you did I think probably worked as well and you just didn't check /Users/.name/
edit: you could also go from where you are now and manually bring your stuff over. Might be best option depending on how badly your original system was mucked up to cause you to do a wipe-install.
Message was edited by: taylor.henderson

Disk Utility Formatting to MS-DOS FAT Not Compaditible

Hi, I'm having problems with the new disk utility. In leopard I can format my sd cards to work with my wii but now after formatting both my sd cards neither of them work. Is there anyway to get them to work again? Or do I have to get a different disk utility? Any help would be great!

I am having a similar problem trying to create MS-DOS DVD data disks. I create a MS-DOS disk image with Disk Utility. Disk Utility shows it as a MS-DOS (FAT) 4.7GB. I burn it from Finder and in the Burn Dialog, it states that "This disk can be used on Macintosh and Windows" computers. I click okay, but he resulting DVD is in Mac OS Extended format.
Disk image files should be burned using Disk Utility, not Finder. Finder will create a DVD that is readable on both Mac and PC, but the DVD will contain the disk image file. A PC will not know how to open that to get at the data files inside.
A simpler way is to not use a disk image file, but just the Finder. Insert a blank DVD, wait for it to appear in the Finder sidebar, drag files to it, then click the Burn icon next to it. This will generate a hybrid DVD. A PC can read it even though a Mac will see it as Mac OS Extended format

Hi, I got a big problem. I restored my mac and after I erased everything and started to restall the system, it showed I need to give the apple ID that was purchased the lion. The problem is that I lost my CD, and I don't have an ID with lion purchased

Hi, I got a big problem. I restored my macbook pro and after I erased everything and started to restall the system, it showed I need to give the apple ID that was purchased the lion. The problem is that I lost my installing CD, and I don't have an ID with lion purchased, so what should I do? Do you sell the system software?

This is a user forum; we're not  Apple.
Please contact the Apple Support folks directly for issues related to hardware and software purchases.
The particular model of MacBook Pro is a key detail here, as the Mac model will determine the oldest version it can boot, as well as whether it'll boot more current software.
AFAIK there is and was no Lion installer DVD available. It was a download. AFAIK, the last DVDs commonly available were for Snow Leopard 10.6. Snow Leopard DVDs are still available in the Apple online store in various countries, if your MacBook Pro is old enough to be able to boot that version.
If your MacBook Pro purchase with Lion wasn't registered with Apple, then you'll have to discuss this directly with the Apple Support folks, or repurchase Lion from the Mac App Store (which will usually involve a call to Apple for a redemption code as it's old software), or you'll "purchase" (it's free) Mavericks OS X 10.9 and wipe and install that assuming your MacBook Pro supports Mavericks. If you didn't purchase the MacBook Pro from Apple (and it was shipped with an older release), then you'll end up acquiring a redemption code from Apple for Lion, or installing Mavericks.
For completeness and given you're probably already aware of this, the usual approach for restoration with recent OS X versions is via the recovery boot (more details). If the disk is wiped and you can't get Lion, then you'll probably end up reinstalling with Target Disk Mode using another Mac with a compatible FireWire or Thunderbolt port and a cable. Or visit the local Apple Store.
sputniki: Once OS X 10.7 or 10.9 has been reinstalled, yes, getting Time Machine configured and going is undoubtedly on the agenda. But had there been a viable backup here, I expect jianghua would have used it.

I have big problems with mountain lion. you can not have a boot disk system I resulted in the need to re-download the os from scratch impiegandoci 8 hours, it is outrageous even with windows 95.

I have big problems with mountain lion. you can not have a boot disk system I resulted in the need to re-download the os from scratch impiegandoci 8 hours, it is outrageous even with windows 95.
at least that the operator has confirmed to me that he called me. I also have problems with either the start of the mac with the power off. I can not understand if it crashes or is just very very slow.
Finally, I have a problem with the external hard disck. I often said to have been ejected incorrectly (not true) and I start to restore the startup recovery disk because disk utility is ineffective from the normal operating system .. is a shocking thing, but how you reduced. in four years it had never happened. seem to have windows or worse. Wake up.
I am an Italian, alas, and then I would like an answer to my language because my € are the same as German French or English.

You are on Windows 2000, you do not have a "Firefox" button, and should consider yourself to be fortunate in that you still have menus and don't have to do anything to get the menus back instead of the "Firefox" button. (The same applies to Windows XP users).
Use the "File" menu to get to Import. You are not on Windows 7 or Vista, and don't have to put up with the nonsense added for Aero.
If you want the "Firefox" button you can get it with View -> toolbars -> (uncheck) Menu Bar. The menu bar and the "Firefox" button were supposed to be mutually exclusive (which is impossible in some cases without being incompatible).
Once you are using the "Firefox" button ...
Use the "Alt" key to view the menu bar (temporarily) containing File, Edit, View, History, Bookmarks, Tools, and Help. On Windows 7 and Vista, the menu bar was hidden by default in Firefox 4 and above. These menu items are more or less available under the "Firefox" button which has the most used of the built-in Firefox menu items available in a different format.
To get back to having menus again. "Firefox" button -> Options (second column) -> (check) Menu Bar
You can make '''Firefox 7.0.1''' look like Firefox 3.6.*, see numbered '''items 1-10''' in the following topic [http://dmcritchie.mvps.org/firefox/firefox-problems.htm#fx4interface Fix Firefox 4.0 toolbar user interface, problems (Make Firefox 4.0 thru 8.0, look like 3.6)]. ''Whether or not you make changes, you should be aware of what has changed and what you have to do to use changed or missing features.''
* http://dmcritchie.mvps.org/firefox/firefox-problems.htm#fx4interface

I would like to format the external hard disk. I would like to use it in Mac as well as in Windows. What format should I do, connect to Macbook Pro? MS-DOS (FAT) or ExFAT ?

I would like to format the external hard disk. I need to use it in Mac as well as in Windows. What format should I do, connect to Macbook Pro? MS-DOS (FAT) or ExFAT ?

success1975 wrote:
Thanks
1) In 'ExFAT' format, is there a limitation on the file size?
Not one that will matter.
2) Is 'MAC OS Extended' format, only for MAC computers?
Yes, only for Mac
3) What are those (a) journaled (b) Encrypted & (c) Case-sensitive? or when to use those?
Again, only for Mac.

HT201441 hi , i'm facing a big problem here,my little brother has set his i pad to an e mail that he dose not remember anymore one day he tried to unlock the ipad but he entered a wrong password many times i had to restore but i cant cus i dont know the

hi , i'm facing a big problem here,my little brother has set his i pad to an e mail that he dose not remember anymore one day he tried to unlock the ipad but he entered a wrong password many times i had to restore but i cant cus i dont know the apple ID

If you don't know your ID, you can try to find it as explained here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5625.

Had to repair the HD using Disk Utility every few weeks- Big problem?

Hey guys,
I've used Onyx to verify my HD & it said that I needed to repair it. So I restarted using the Leopard CPU Drop-in DVD & it's been saying "Invalid file count" & "Invalid volume directory count" but it gets fixed. It seems like this happens around every few weeks. Is this a big problem? Anything I can do to prevent it?
Thanks,
David

Hello David
Yes they are replaceable but it's not straightforward. On the newest models it's easier/simpler to get into them but on the older models you needed a palette/putty knife and a good technique simply to get the top housing off. Inside there are a few small/thin/delicate connecting cables you need to be careful of. These two sites should give you more of an idea?
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac-mini-Model-A1283-Teardown/659/1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFFjselaPMo
If this seems like too much hard work take it to your nearest Apple Repair Specialist or Genius Bar. They'll be happy to do it for you for a nominal fee. You get the best of both worlds then - peace of mind the job has been done expertly and a replaced hard drive with all your data transferred over.
HTH?
Tony

How to format external drive as MS-DOS (FAT)

How do I format the external drive as MS-DOS (FAT)?
I followed the instructions and have Disk Utility open for the external drive. Then > Erase > changed format from Mac OS to ExFAT and did the same with the RAID tab. But this does not change the Format from Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Thanks in advance for any advice..........It's never easy is it?

biddymon wrote:
Snip snip...........and I appreciate your sense of humor. Unfortunately mine is in the sleep mode at this stage of the game.
(3) Boot Camp 4. downloaded to 16-GB flash drive, which is recognized in Windows but will not install due to following prompt: "The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x-64 (64-bit) version of this program, and then contact the software publisher." This flash drive is formatted as MS-DOS (FAT), although ExFAT was an alternative.
OK, that does not suggest a disk format problem, but it does suggest that (as it says) you have the wrong Boot Camp version, or the wrong Windows version. ie, you have a 32bit version of Windows installed and you may have a 64bit version of Boot Camp on your Flashdrive.
I'll be back shortly, I'll get links for the various versions of Boot Camp, if there is no 32bit version for your Mac a reinstall of Windows is indicated, the 64bit version though.
OK
Even better, here is a link to a page with all the versions, if you click the version name a description will be displayed, find the correct one for your Mac and version of Windows.
Finally this page contains a model by model breakdown of which version of Windows will run on which model of Mac.

Getting a 7 gig file onto an MS-DOS (fat) drive?

Trying to deliver a Quicktime movie file to a client ... who has supplied me with a drive that's pre-formatted MS-DOS (fat). I have this memory that MS-DOS (fat) can't handle files bigger than 2 gigs. I wonder how the PC world manages big movie files?
Is there a work around? Or something I can do that I haven't heard about? I can't reformat the drive, it has to work on her PC, and it's already half full of her own materials/files.
If there is no way to do this, can I get her another drive and format it to some alternate format that will allow me to dump this movie file on it (from my MacBook Pro), and yet allow her read write access when it's plugged into her PC?
All ears ...
Ben

Thank you Niel and Michael, very helpful.
I notice my 'Disk Utitlity' will let me re-format this particular MS-DOS (FAT) drive as an ExFAT. Is that what you mean Niel? Maybe my MacBook Pro already has whatever software is required to do this?
I've saved my clients data somewhere else, and am going to try and reformat her drive as ExFAT, and then see if it will take these big movie files.
Your help is mucho appreciated,
Ben

Formatting a particular partition to MS-DOS(FAT)

I have a 1TB Lacie external hard drive with two partitions (300GB and 700GB). Both are Mac OS Extended (Journaled) right now. I want the 700GB partition to be MS-DOS(FAT) but when I select the partition and go to the erase page it does not give me the MS-DOS(FAT) format option in the pull down menu. If I click on the entire disc and choose to format both partitions back into one it DOES allow me to use the MS-DOS(FAT) format but not if I only have one partition selected. Why is this? Is there any way to just format one partition to MS-DOS(FAT)?

Done reformatting and it worked. Thanks!
Here's something off topic: I was concerned with formatting a partition to fat32 because I wanted to use my external drive with my PS3. When my drive was formatted with the APM scheme my PS3 didn't pick it up, even when it was fat32. But now that it is GUID it works on the PS3 as well. So, two problems solved.

I have tried to format my HDD from MS-DOS fat to MAC OS Extended (jurnaled) but after formating turns to the same MS-DOS FAT format why?

I have tried to format my HDD from MS-DOS fat to MAC OS Extended via disk utility but after formating turns to the same MS-DOS FAT format why?my current OS is 10.5

You will need to perform an Internet Recovery or be able to boot the computer using a Snow Leopard 10.6.3 or later DVD. For the former:
Restart the computer and at the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION-R keys until you see a globe appear in the gray startup screen. This may take a little while so be patient. You need to have an internet connection for this to work - preferably using Ethernet.
After a fairly long period of time - 15 minutes or more - the recovery screen will appear. Select Disk Utility from the main menu, and click on the Continue button.
1. After DU loads select your 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
6. After formatting is done quit DU and return to the main menu. Select Install OS X from the main menu and click on the Continue button. Follow the onscreen instructions to install OS X onto the internal drive.

Disk Erasing to MS-DOS FAT big problem

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