MacBook Pro/External Hard Drive/Windows PC

I have a MacBook Pro and a Windows desktop...and an external hard drive. I want to load some music on the external hard drive using the MacBook and then copy from the external hard drive to the Windows desktop. Is this possible?

ExFAT - A newer file format, supported in Mac OS X 10.6.5 or later.
Advantages: exFAT has many of the same advantages as FAT32 in that it's a disk format that offers interoperability between Macs and PCs. It has one big advantage over FAT32: exFAT supports file sizes larger than 4 GB, so if you have a need to move huge files between Macs and PCs, this is likely the format you'll want for your flash drive.
exFAT is supported by the following operating systems:
Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.5 or greater)
OS X Lion
Windows XP SP2 or later (with an additional update for exFAT support)
Windows Vista SP1 or later
Windows 7
Disadvantages: As a relatively newer file system format, exFAT isn't supported in older versions of Mac OS X (anything prior to 10.6.5) or anything older than Windows XP SP2. If you won't be dealing with older Macs or PCs, this may not be a problem. Of greater issue is that most consumer electronics (cameras, camcorders, video game systems) don't support exFAT, either. If you need to transfer files between your Mac and one of these non-PC devices, you're almost certainly going to have to format your flash drive in FAT32 instead.

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New to Macbook Pro, External hard drive question.

I've just made the swirch to an Apple Macbook Pro from a PC. I've used the PC since the early 90's and all I know is Windows. However I'm finding myself more at home in Lion. My question is probably a simple one so I'll get to it. I have a 1TB Seagate Mac/PC external usb powered hard drive that I've used on my PC for all my iTunes media, 95% of which was purchased from Apple (who the **** knows if that matters but information could be crucial and besides I saw someone else say that in a post, only he found his music, whatever that means, anyway....). Now I have added all files to the library of my iTunes on the Mac while still running them from the external hard drive and everything transferd smothly (see not a complete idiot) but for some reason I can not write to the hard drive. If I try to update an app, delete a fie, rename or otherwis change the file in itunes I get an error claiming I don't have permission to do so. When I look at the drive itself, sure enough it says I may read only. Now the drive was formatted and used on a Windows PC prior to today. What do I need to do on the Mac end to make it read and writable (is that the right word?) so I can enjoy updating my apps or plain getting rid of some old things? Thanks in advance for any help.
New Mac User

Your external harddisk uses the NTFS file system which is common for Windows PCs.
Mac OSX can read from NTFS harddisks but cannot write to them.
For full access you need a third-party helper tool like the free NTFS-3G or Fuse4X or the commercial ones from Paragon or Tuxera NTFS for Mac.
In the long run and when you don't need a "Windows-PC-compatibility" of the external harddisk anymore you should consider reformating/repartioning the external harddisk using the Mac OSX native partition and file system formats. (GUID and MacOS Extended (Journaled)).
But such an action would delete everything that is on that external harddisk so it is not that easy.
Stefan

New to MacBook Pro - External hard drive advice

I just ordered a MacBook Pro last night which will be my first mac computer and would appreciate any insight on external hard drives. Here are the specs for the MacBook:
2.6Ghz Quad-core Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1 GB GDDR5 memory
8 GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
750 GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
Right now, for my PC I have a WD My Passport Essential SE 1 TB Ultra Portable external hard drive. This drive works but I've had a few hiccups with it (although I can't tell if its the drive or the PC) and figured I should just start fresh with a new external hard drive for the new MacBook. In terms of my use, here's what I'm looking to be able to do with the hard drive:
would prefer something portable (although doesn't have to be)
would like to be able to insert old hard drive into mac, insert new hard drive, and transfer all files from old hard drive onto new hard drive without having to temporarily store on mac
i don't really use the hard drive to back up the computer, i use it more to store all my files (pics, videos, movies, word/excel/pdf, etc.) and only keep certain files on computer (i use another hard drive to back up this hard drive)
i'd also like something fast that would work well with the MacBook's specs
price wise, would defintely like to be under $300 if possible
Again, just looking for any advice anyone might have that would help me out in making a decision! Thanks!

Any brand name external drive will work.

MacBook Pro -- external hard drive corruption -- AND hanging computer?

Since purchasing a 17" MacBook Pro, I've had serious problems with directory corruption on three of my external firewire hard drives (80 and 100 G FireLite Pocket drives and a 400 G Lacie drive). About 2 weeks ago, the 80 G drive (with most of my critical files) disappeared from the desktop. Disk Utilities returned with a message that it was repairable. Tech Tools supposedly fixed it, but the drive icon shortly disappeared from the desktop. This time, Disk Utilities "repaired" it, but it was the kiss of death. After this, plugging in the drive caused the computer to hang indefinitely. I could no longer run any repair or data rescue software. Once this problem occurs, I can switch firewire cables and computers, and the computers still crash/hang. A techy at work managed to rescue the files and replace them on the disk (this required other hardware, a PC, and some software he downloaded(?)). Two weeks later, the problem happened again. However, this time, it was the 80 G and my 400 G backup drive. Now, all of my originals and backups (for the past 2 years, since I did my last CD/DVD backups) are (hopefully) temporarily unavailable. My 100 G drive started to do the same thing. However, I purchased and downloaded a copy of Disk Warrior, which seems to have rescued this disk.
I've had these drive for between 3 and 5 years, with little or absolutely no trouble. Then, after getting the MacBook Pro, I'm encountering really serious problems.
Is the MacBook Pro at fault? (I've returned to my PowerBook G4 until this issue is resolve).
What causes such severe disk directory damage that causes my computer to hang?
How can I recover my files (critically important to my work, some of which is on a tight deadline) without having to run to the vastly overworked/underpaid techy in my place of employment)?
My conversation with an Apple Tech was much less than satisfying. In fact, he seemed to portray a state of denial about the MacBook Pro having any problems, even though the web is full of complaints. What's up Apple? Are you beginning to backslide yet again?

Welcome To Discussions JeffBloom!
I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems with your MBP, but you have posted your inquiry, in the Discussions Forum, that is intended for discourse about the use of Apple Discussions.
You will get more focused attention to your issue, if you select a more appropriate location from this page Discussions Forum Home.
For example,
From the Forum Home Page, select the Category MacBook Pro.
Then choose an appropriate MBP Forum, such as Using your MacBook Pro.
On Forum pages, there is an option to Post New Topic.
Good Luck!
ali b

HELP! Macbook pro external hard drive not showing up

Hello I really need help and I've already read through all the relevant threads non of them helped.
Here's my problem. And please read all of it cause its frustratingly weird.
I have a few external drives. Suddenly, with out me changing or downloading anything, my Macbook Pro isn't recognizing ANY of them through the USB ports. The USB ports are not dead. The drives DO show up through the firewire port. But through the USB my Mac doesn't recognize them at all, not through Terminal, DiskUtility, Activitly Monitor, or in Safe Mode. The USB port DO recognize my IPHONE, IPOD and wireless mouse with no problem.
My first thought was that my External drive(Noir) is dead because my other drive (Trick) was still showing up and useable but Trick is connected through my firewire and when I plugged in 'Boolio' through the USB it did not show up either, they are also not registering Thumb drives.
I'm at the end of what I know how to do. I've been reading and researching for almost 2 weeks now and it seems that everyone has similar but not the same problem, I really need help please!!!!
I've got Mavericks 10.9.5 (& theres no way I'm doing Yosemite)

Try resetting the SMC and PRAM
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
About NVRAM and PRAM
- Make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

OWC Mercury Elite Pro External Hard Drive - Share with Windows Machine?

Hi,
Others on this discussion have recommended the OWC Mercury Elite Pro External Hard Drive. Dumb question: my live-in girlfriend has a Dell XP laptop, and I have a MacBook. If we purchased an OWC hard drive with both firewire and USB, can we both use the external hard drive?
Thanks, David

You can certainly use their drives between a Mac and a PC. As mentioned, either format it FAT32 witht he 4GB file size restrictions or partition it.
You can also use a program called MacDrive. It give a Windows machine that ability to read and wtite to HFS+ partitions. I have used it and it works nicely.
There is a timed demo, so you can try it out and see if it meets your needs.

I have all my music on my external hard drive when I try to add it to iTunes it is automatically added to my MacBook Pro's hard drive. How do I stop this from happening? I just want the music to stay on the external hard drive. Thanks!

I have all my music on my external hard drive when I try to add it to iTunes it is automatically added to my MacBook Pro's hard drive. How do I stop this from happening? I just want the music to stay on the external hard drive. Thanks!

This is true of course, but doesn't cover the situation where some files are in the iTunes Media folder and others are on an external drive. In my case I keep my music in the Media folder and all my films on an external drive (there are too many to have on the internal drive). In iTunes 11, and before, it was easy to add those external files by holding down the alt/opt key while dragging to the sidebar. In iTunes 12 this is no longer possible. There are several workarounds: use TuneSpan to move the file after it's been added; delete the file from the Media folder and empty the trash then use iTunes Get Info which will report the file is missing and allow you to locate it; constantly switch the Add to iTunes toggle on and off as required. All of these require a lot more work than just holding down the alt/opt key while adding.
It constantly gets harder.

Hey, can i clone my Macbook Pro internal hard drive and then paste it all onto a formated external hard drive, then make the Mac use the external as the primary hard drive?

hey, can i clone my Macbook Pro internal hard drive and then paste it all onto a formated external hard drive, then make the Mac use the external as the primary hard drive? please help for i only have around 618mb left out of 189GB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If what doesn't work?
If cloning your internal drive to the external drive is not successful, I expect CCC will tell you so. Assuming that doesn't happen, you will have a bootable replica of the internal drive on the external drive once CCC has finished.
You can then do any of several things:
1. Replace your internal drive with a much larger one (320GB or 500GB, or even larger), and clone the external drive's contents onto the new drive so you'll have all your data in one place. Note that if you do this, you'll also need to buy an external drive that's large enough to back the new internal drive up on.
2. Boot from the external drive as a temporary measure while you clear at least 30-40GB of data off the internal drive, allowing you to keep using it and saving small amounts of data to it. The external drive will then contain the only copies of the files you've deleted from the internal drive, so you'll need a seond external drive large enough to back both the other drives up on.
If you can't comfortably clear a minimum of 30GB off the internal drive, you really need a larger internal drive right now, and you shouldn't bother fooling around with the inadequate one you have — you'll just quickly overfill it again.
3. Replace the optical drive in your MBP with a large conventional hard drive, giving you two hard drives inside the machine. You will then need one or more external drives large enough to back up both of the internal drives.
If you sense a theme here — back up, back up, back up — you are correct. It's flat-out foolhardy to own or use a computer without maintaining complete, up-to-date backups of everything at all times.

My MacBook Pro's hard drive is about full, can I move a lot of the data to my 3 TB Time Capsule?

I have a late 2011 MacBook Pro 17 Inch with 750 GB of space on its hard drive. About a month and half ago I bought a 3 TB Time Capsule and I know that Time Capsule, together with Time Machine, basically takes periodic snapshots of your hard drive and will rearrange/clean/delete files on your hard drive. What I want to know is that since I'm about to run out of space on the internal hard drive can I move a good chunk of the data into the Time Capsule and free up that data on internal hard drive. Videos take up about 75% of my MacBook Pro's hard drive so video's are my biggest problem. If I can't do this with the Time Capsule I guess that's a con of the Time Capsule/Time Machine.
Thank you to anyone that answers!

You should be able to do that by partitioning but then how would that data be backed up? If the Time Capsule drive fails, then all of that data is lost. I would suggest you consider an additional external HDD for redundancy unless the video files are of no importance.
Ciao.

On my macbook pro the hard drive icon is not on my desktop and I don't know how to find the hard drive or get the icon back on my desktop

on my macbook pro the hard drive icon is not on my desktop and I don't know how to find the hard drive or get the icon back on my desktop

Click on the Desktop. From the Finder menu select Preferences. Check the boxes for what you want on your Desktop. If they are already checked, then try unchecking and rechecking.

HT201250 I recently replaced my 2009 Macbook Pro's hard drive. I had the Apple store upgrade the OS to Mountain Lion while it was being repaired. I want to restore all of my old files and data, if I restore from Time Machine, will it revert to the old O

I recently had to replace my 2009 Macbook Pro's hard drive. I had the apple store upgrade the OS to Mountain Lion while it was in being repaired. I want to restore all of my old data and files. If I perform a restore from Time Machine, with a date prior to having the hard drive replaced, will it revert back to the old OS?

No, it won't revert to the prior OS X but you you may have third party apps installed that were compatible with Lion that may not be compatible with Mountain Lion.
App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps - App compatibility and feature support for OS X & iOS
After you restore from TM, check HD > Incompatible Software

How do I transfer my 7,669 photos from my iphone 4s to my external hard drive. (windows NOT mac) ?

How do I transfer my 7,669 photos from my iphone 4s to my external hard drive. (windows NOT mac) ?

import them like you would with a digital camera. use HT4083 and just make sure to direct the computer to the external drive

I had problems with my MacBook pro's hard drive.

I had problems with my MacBook pro's hard drive. And I have this question how can I end up getting a replacement for it like get a new one.

The recycle program makes it easier for you to trade in your old Mac and buy a new one. Apple has a partner that will take the old one and give you a gift card for the value -- if your old Mac is in pretty good condition and doen't have problems (passes the diagnostics).

MB Pro & External Hard Drive - Best format for Mac/Windows use?

My external hard drive is currently formatted as FAT 32. I need to use it between Mac and Windows. However, I have many files that are 4 GB or larger.
Should I reformat as HFS? Will that at least be readable on Windows?
I thank you in advance for any thoughts.

There's no really good choice.
Regardless of the filesystem you choose, you will need additional software to read/write it on one of the operating systems. MacDrive for Windows will permit you to read/write HFS+ formatted volumes on Windows -- it's $50. MacFuse + NTFSng allows Mac OS X to read/write NTFS formatted drives -- it's free, but a little awkward.

Booting macbook from external hard drive- Is it doable?

I've had my white macbook since 2006. (I LOVE IT) However, I'd like to use it as a "desktop" until I can get a mac mini. Is it possible to move EVERYTHING thats on it to an external hard drive (terabyte) and boot it up from there? Also, once I get the mac mini, will I be able to restore the macbook to its "original" state? I ask this because I only have a little over 6gigs left on my hard drive. (Lots of music, graphics, videos and apps) I bought a terabyte to free up some space, but still haven't been able to free up enough to make a difference. I am assuming (and i could be wrong) that I could just take everything on the mac and move it to the hard drive, boot it from there, and all will be well in the world.
So is it doable? (If it is… I might not even need to get the mac mini.)
Thanks a bunch in advance for any help...
"O"

Yes.
First, Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard 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. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
Second, Clone using Restore Option of Disk Utility
Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
Select the destination volume from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the external drive. Source means the internal startup drive.
Third, Open Startup Disk preferences, change the startup disk to the external drive, then click on the Restart button. The computer will now permanently boot from the external drive.

MacBook Pro/External Hard Drive/Windows PC

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