Format a windows hard disk for mac

Hi,
I am trying to format an external windows hard disk for use with my new Mac. I am using Disk Utility. The disk was NTFS formatted, I erased it into HFS+ (mentioning that the operation was done in less than a minute). I tried this many times but it still took the same time. Does not formatting a disk take a long time? Or this is the way it is done in Lion.
Thank you. (New to Mac)

Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.app (in Mac OS). Open the app.
Select the disk (choose 'erase' if it its formatted already), and format as 'Mac OS extended (journaled). Click 'format' (or 'erase', depending on which option you are given).

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FAT or exFAT for external hard disk for MAC and Windows

Hello, could you tell me which format I have to format an external hard disk to use with Time Machine in order to recover data on MAC or Windows.
Thank you very much for your answer.

Like Kappy says, TimeMachine only works on Mac's and it formats the drive itself, then it's files are mosly a pain to get at via anything else but TimeMachine on a Mac.
If you want something to backup the entire OS X side of the Mac and that can also be later accessed by a Windows PC (with MacDrive installed to read te HFS+ format), like if your not going to get another Mac again and want to get at your files, then you need a bootable clone drive.
If you want something that backs up only your user files to a external exFAT drive, (to be read on Windows, Mac or Linux machine) then there is plenty of software to do that, one is free called SyncTwoFolders and it does that, it makes sure both folders are Synced in ethier or in one way directions.
Most commonly used backup methods
Drives, partitions, formatting w/Mac's + PC's

Formatting a new hard drive for mac

Hi,
In a previous post I asked about running Snow Leopard on my mac after a hard drive fail. I'm having issues with formatting a new hard drie in my mac. I have a 2007 black macbook and I'm trying to run a 160gb SATA seagate hard drive.
After replacing this hard drive, I booted my mac up from cd, ran through setup fine until I got to the 'select a devide to install to' - the point where my hard drive should be visible. Nothing there at all. Nothing to click on in the box....
My question is, is there a process I need to undertake to format the hard drive or is this an indicator of a much bigger problem?
Thanks
HC

Drive Preparation
1. 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 Utilities menu.
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. 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.
You can install OS X once formatting is complete by quitting DU and returning to the installer.

Formatting LaCie External Hard Drive for MAC and PC

Hi,
I just recently purchased a LaCie 500 GB Hard Drive from the Apple Store in order to back up and store most of my PC (Window) files. Most of my files that I need to back up are on CD, DVD, and USB mini drives. I was thinking of transferring the files through my MacBook Pro but I'm not sure how to partition the hard drive, since most of my files are generated from PC's and I would need to connect the hard drive to a PC in the future anyway.
From what I understand, the files that I save in the Windows partition will only be recognized when on a PC, and the same for the MAC. But what about simple compatible files that are read cross platform, such as Word documents? Would I still only be able to access each file depending on the platform and the partition?
Is there a way that I can just partition it into a single storage space – as how servers store data, regardless of whether it’s a PC or MAC file? I’m also wondering what would happen if I were to plug it into my laptop first? If it doesn’t ask me to partition the drive on my PC, will it ask me when I plug it back into the MAC afterwards? And if I partition it then, what would happen to my data?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you

Hi, njoay
I just moved to Mac from Windows last week onto a new MBP. I purchased a Lacie 500GB ruggedized drive. Here is what I know and tried:
1) If you format the Lacie in Mac format, then you can't use it on a Windows machine without software eg MacDrive.
2) If you format the Lacie in NTFS, you can only read from it when connected to Mac without other software.
I work a lot with VMWare, so I need the LACIE to be able to connect to both PC and MAC. I found a solution from another MAC user: "Paragon NTFS for Mac OS" (see http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/) which you can purchase for US$39.
This is what I did:
1) connect my Lacie to my PC and formatted it in NTFS format.
2) Installed Paragon NTFS onto my MAC
3) Connected LACIE to Mac.
Here are the results:
1) Connection with USB2.0 from Lacie to Mac - it works (can read and write to LAcie formatted in NTFS)
2) Connection with Firewire 800 from Lacie to Mac - it does NOT work. The disk gets ejected. I have logged a support call with Paragon on this issue and am waiting a reply.
3) Connection with Firewire 400 from Lacie to Mac - have not tried it yet.
Hope the above helps.

I cannot find the best way to format an external hard drive for MAC, PC, TV?

Hello,
I have a problem: I want to use an external hard drive on my Mac as well as on a PC and a TV. The normal structure of Mac (Journaled) isn't supported by PC/ TV. I changed the structue into DOS(FAT) on my Mac. That's suppoerted by TV and PC. But I'll use the hard drive for storage of HD films so I'm afraid that the structure is not good enough for this (it seems old to me DOS.....) And I don't want the quality to be influenced by a bad structure.
Then I've formatted into NTFS on my PC, but then I cannot put files from Mac on the hard drive.
What is the best solution?
Hope someone can help me!
Regards, Kim

FAT works great, but the problem is that it's old and that you can't store files that are bigger than 4 GB. In this case, you have exFAT, a filesystem compatible with OS X and Windows, but I don't think that the TV will read it.
If you want to use NTFS, you need a third-party application to be able to write in it on OS X, like Paragon NTFS

Formatting a Lacie Hard drive for Mac

Is there anyone who can help me format my Lacie 320GB external hard drive for my Mac. Currently it is formatted for MS-DOS. I've read the manual inside and tried what it says but have got nowhere. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Many thanks

Can you see it in Disk Utility? If so, use the Erase command from there. To open Disk Utility, open Finder and press Command-Shift-U to open the Utilities folder. It's in there.
Select the option Mac OS Extended unless you want journaling, in which case select Mc OS Extended (Journaled)
Erase is the only tool you need.
Pete

Formatting an external hard drive for Mac and Windows

Hello,
I just bought a brand new Seagate Expansion Desktop Drive (2TB) and am trying to work out how to format it. I want to move all my photos and movies to it from my laptop so i have more space. I have a Mac OS X 10.5.8 laptop but i also wanted to make sure it was compatible with other Windows computers in case i need to use it on someone else's PC.
I've read through a few posts over the net and i am getting confused as i'm not IT-intelligent at all. I've seen there are possibly 4 different format types.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you!

Answered here: Formatting brand new external hard drive

Formatting an external hard drive for mac.

Hi- I just bought a SimpleTech Pro 1TB External hard drive from Best Buy. I already own about 4 other external hard drives of various brands (WD, Maxtor, Seagate, Etc.). If I remember correctly, in the past to format those drives for OSX, I've just gone into disk utility, selected the drive on the left, and went to the erase tab, chose volume format: Mac OS Extended, named it, clicked erase and a few minutes later my drive was ready for use. For some reason now I am getting an error (format failed) shortly after I click erase. It will allow me to choose fat32 to format the drive, but whenever I try for a Mac OS format I get this same error. Any ideas?
By the way, I tried this on a Seagate drive yesterday and the same thing happened. So I returned it thinking it wouldn't work with a mac. So I don't think it's the drive.

Choose partition and GUID in option and after format in HFS+
Message was edited by: Nardac

Formatting an external hard drive for Mac/Time Machine.

Hello-
Just purchased a Time Capsule to use both as a wireless Network and backup hard drive. Both are working great. However, I have an external hd (500 gig "My Book") I used with a previous computer (PC). I would like Time Capsule/Time Machine to backup everything on the My Book external hd but I realize I need to reformat in order to have the Time Machine backup this drive. It appears that the only way to reformat the external hd is to erase it's contents. This isn't an option for me as this drive is almost full and has a ton of data I do not want to lose. Can anyone elaborate on how I can reformat this disk so it will be compatible with my new setup without losing any of it's contents? Thank you for your time and help.
Matt

Some 3rd-party apps, such as iPartition, claim to be able to do that. But they +*very prominently+* warn you to back up first, in case something goes wrong. And there have been a few posts here where something did go wrong and the user hadn't backed-up, so lost everything.
iPartition (and I think all the others) cost money, of course. Instead of spending it there, your best bet is to get another external HD, a larger one. Copy the data to it, reformat the WD, and copy it back. Make sure Time Machine is backing-it up to your Time Capsule (ie., not listed in the exclusions box of +Time Machine Preferences > Options).+
Then erase and partition the new one. One partition should be at least as large as your Mac's internal HD, the other 500 GB or more. Use this drive for "secondary" backups of both, via CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper. [CarbonCopyCloner|http://www.bombich.com> is donationware; [SuperDuper|http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html] has a free version, but you need the paid one (about $30) to do updates instead of full replacements, or scheduling.
You might even want to get a portable HD for this, so you can take it off-site and also be protected against fire, flood, theft, direct lightning strike on your power lines, etc.

When I try to format an external hard drive for Mac it keeps coming up as 'error'. Can anyone help me?

I've followed the instructions on the online tutorial but when it is trying to erase the data it comes up with 'volume erase failed, could not unmount disk'.

FAT works great, but the problem is that it's old and that you can't store files that are bigger than 4 GB. In this case, you have exFAT, a filesystem compatible with OS X and Windows, but I don't think that the TV will read it.
If you want to use NTFS, you need a third-party application to be able to write in it on OS X, like Paragon NTFS

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.

How do i format an external hard drive for use on both windows and mac book air?

how do i format an external hard drive for use on both windows pc and mac book air?

Use exFAT on the PC.
(71374)

I am having mac book air 2012model i had installed mavericks and use it, i long press command and power button at a same time and i saw the command prompt, from that i had formated the total hard disk. how to i want to install the OS again ?

I am having mac book air 2012model i had installed mavericks and use it, i long press command and power button at a same time and i saw the command prompt, from that i had formated the total hard disk. how to i want to install the OS again ?
i tryed with download mavericks but finally its saying a error message like cant conect to istore like that its saying and every thing is clear like internet and other stuf i tryed with 3times no progress same error pls help.. i bought this lap for my bro with his apple id only we use it now he got a new mac book pro so he gave to me so i formated and use it i use my apple id is that problem come because of changing apple id ? pls eplain

Firstly, what is the source of the 10.6.4 disc? Is it the original installation disc for your MacBook, or one 'borrowed' from another computer?
It isn't the retail version, because that's 10.6.3.
Assuming it's the correct disc (i.e. the one that shipped with your Mac), you need to boot from it again.
OK the language page.
From the installer screen, ignore the continue button, go to the menu bar and choose Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
In DU, select your internal drive in the sidebar (the top item with the makers name and serial no.).
Run Repair Disk. If that comes up as disk OK, click the partition tab. Select the partiton from the drop-down above the graphic; 1 partiton is all you need.
Go to the options button and ensure that the partition scheme is GUID and the file system to Mac OS Extended (Journalled). Name the partiton (usually Macintosh HD), click Apply.
When the Macintosh HD volume appears below the drive name, quit DU and see if you can then install.
If the screen after the language screen doesn't show the menu bar, it may be necessary to use another Mac to do the job with the MB in Firewire Target Disc Mode. If it won't boot in TDM, or the MB doesn't have FireWire then it's getting very difficult.

WD "My Passport hard drive for Mac."

Hi -
New convert from Windows to MacBook Pro so I apologize if this seems like a dumb question BUT......
Just purchased a WD "My Passport hard drive for Mac." It says on the box that it is formatted HFS+, Journaled for Lion & Mountain Lion as well as compatible with Apple Time Machine. My assumption is that based on this there is no need for me to format this for my Mac since this hard drive was already formatted specifically for a Mac. However, since some of the other information I've seen online refers to always formatting your hard drive before use, I wanted to double check since I am just getting started with my

As you are going to use Time Machine, it will ask you to format the external disk if there are files inside it when you set Time Machine up. Open System Preferences > Time Machine > Select Disk, choose the external disk and the backup will start.
Also, you can create a second partition on the external disk to make clones with Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper to have the advantages of Time Machine and the clone

Best way to format my 16GB flash drive for Mac and PC transferring large power point files?

best way to format my 16GB flash drive for Mac and PC transferring large power point files?

format flash drive in Exfat for transferring files between Mac and Pc.
FORMAT TYPES
FAT32 (File Allocation Table)
Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
Maximum file size: 4GB.
Maximum volume size: 2TB
You can use this format if you share the drive between Mac OS X and Windows computers and have no files larger than 4GB.
NTFS (Windows NT File System)
Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X, here are some alternatives:
For Mac OS X 10.4 or later (32 or 64-bit), install Paragon (approx $20) (Best Choice for Lion)
Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard and Lion, but is not advisable, due to instability.
AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support NTFS
Maximum file size: 16 TB
Maximum volume size: 256TB
You can use this format if you routinely share a drive with multiple Windows systems.
HFS+ ((((MAC FORMAT)))) (Hierarchical File System, a.k.a. Mac OS Extended (Journaled) Don't use case-sensitive)
Read/Write HFS+ from native Mac OS X
Required for Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! backups of Mac internal hard drive.
To Read HFS+ (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer
Maximum file size: 8EiB
Maximum volume size: 8EiB
You can use this format if you only use the drive with Mac OS X, or use it for backups of your Mac OS X internal drive, or if you only share it with one Windows PC (with MacDrive installed on the PC)
EXFAT (FAT64)
Supported in Mac OS X only in 10.6.5 or later.
Not all Windows versions support exFAT.
exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)
AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support exFAT
Maximum file size: 16 EiB
Maximum volume size: 64 ZiB
You can use this format if it is supported by all computers with which you intend to share the drive. See "disadvantages" for details.

Format a windows hard disk for mac

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