How to format an external hard drive previously run on win. xp

I am trying to get into my external hard drive to edit or delete some old data that is no longer needed. I can get onto the hard drive but not remove any of the data, nor can I change the location of the files. Does anybody know how i can do this? I do have iWork'09. The store I bought the system from said that it would convert my files to be usable on my MAC.

Windows has 2 HD formats, FAT32 and NTFS.
The newer NTFS is not directly supported in OSX.
Try:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/24481/ntfs-3g
or
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/30449/ntfs-for-mac
to see if they can mount and read the drive for you.
If you have a real problem, back-up your hard drive to a PC and reformat the drive to FAT32. Then return the files onto the HD and it should read OK on your Mac. Alternatively back the files up onto CD/DVDs these can be easily read on your Mac as well.
Peter

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