Need to defrag external HDD?

Hi everyone, it's been a while but I'm back. Okay so now that I officially got the right computer up and running, I have a question about my external HDD. I have been using my My Book to store files and apps from both my Windows and OSX side of my MBP. When I was in windows today, after defragging my Windows partition on my internal, I analyzed my external drive and it said that it needs to be defragged. My question is this, doesn't OSX automatically do this already or is there a way to manually do it? Or do I need to defrag the external with Windows. Any help would be much appreciated.

OS X only handles fragmentation with its own filesystem (HFS+) as a result of the system design (many unix-like operating systems have similar characteristics). External drives accessible to Windows (those based on NTFS or FAT32 filesystems) are not automatically defragmented by OS X and will need to be defragmented by an external tool.
Chances are your external drive is FAT32.

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New 24 inch imac.. Do I need to defrag the HDD? Also do I need a virus prog

Yeah I am another Microsoft covert...(That is a good thing)
I was wondering if I need a virus program and if I have to defrag the HDD. Also when there is the little black triangle in the dock that means the program is running in the background right? If so is that a problem with system slowdown? 2GBRam installed. Thanks

Mac OS X automatically defragments files that are less than 20 MB in size on-the-fly. You may also find this article interesting:
About disk optimization with Mac OS X
There is no need for an antivirus program like there is under Windows. Some people will still recommend that you use a virus scanner. If you decide you want to run an antivirus program, I recommend ClamXav, and suggest that you avoid Norton/Symantec products.
Also, Mac OS X has a built-in firewall which can be activated from System Preferences > Internet & Network > Sharing > Firewall. You may also find Little Snitch to be useful (the free demo will only work for three hours though).

Do I need to? Or is there a way to Defragment a HDD?

Hi everyone.
My background in in working on Windows. I'm not new to Mac as I've been working with Mac OS X for years.
On a PC I would defragment the HDD every once and a while.
Now, I'm solely on a MAC.
Working with video I've often times just about maxed out my internal and external HDDs. However I always end up deleting old unnecessary footage and shuffling stuff around to create more space.
Do I need to defragment my HDDs? Is there even a need for that with Mac? I was reading that it wasn't really necessary but then I recently read an article stating that it may be necessary if you work with video and that there were 3rd party applications to do it.
Any thoughts and ideas are appreciated.
Thanks.
-Fraky

You probably want the article that relates to OSX not OS9.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1375?viewlocale=en_US
While file level fragmentation is not a real issue, directory optimization may offer some significant benefits. This is why Disk Warrior ought to be in your tool box. If nothing else, it is a good program to make sure there are no issues with your directory structures.
x

What size external HDD do you need for TM?

I have a new 500gb drive in my iMac, do I need a 1TB external HDD for TM to work. I have heard that you need a drive that is twice the space for the TM to work. Thanks for all the help I recieve.

Rather than thinking of it in terms of twice the size of your hard drive, I think it best to think in terms of 2 to 3 times the size of the data you are backing up. If your computer's hard drive is 500GB but you are only using 35GB of it, a 1TB drive is just overkill.

Permissions and problems with external HDD

Starting today I have been unable to copy anything to my 1T Seagate FA GoFlex external HDD. I can access the drive, I can copy files FROM the drive back to my Mac Mini, but I cannot copy anything to the drive. Whenever I try to copy anything I get the error "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)." I have spent the last four hours doing an exhaustive search, and have tried every solution I've come.
Somehow, over the last few days, something has happened to change this external HDD--the permissions and possibly the format. I have been in Disk Utility and am unable to repair. I have tried accessing Disk Utility from startup and am unable to repair. I have also copied the content off of the HDD and have tried to reformat the drive, but I'm getting an error when I try this as well.
When I tried to verify the disk I got this error:
When I tried to repair the disk I got this error:
After copying all of the important files to other drives, I attempted to reformat and got this error:
Then I tried the secure option and got this error:
I did notice that when I click on the Erase tab, the format shows as "Mac OS Extended" but when I click on the RAID tab the format shows "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)". Shouldn't these match?
I have been using this external HDD for several years now and have never had a problem. This does coincide with the copying of some .mp3 files. Could this be the culprit? (I was unable to remove one zip folder of these mp3 files.)
The permissions for this external HDD seem out of whack as well:
It states "You can only read" but the admin account "MiniMel (Me)" sholws Read & Write.
I am completely stumped and irritated. Is there any help for this HDD or is it just failing? It was no where near capacity. Could the mp3 files have caused the problem? I think this is unlikely, the the timing is coincidental. Should I worry about this happening to the other external HDD and my HD where I copied the files so I could reformat?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your reply.
I tried that last night. When I tried to verify the disk from startup, I received this message:
when I tried to repair the disk I received this message:
After the second message, I moved what I needed off the external HDD and tried to reformat. Which led to the errors in my OP. So frustrating.
Message was edited by: web-betty (replaced screenshots)

Problems with external HDD

Hi there , I have problems with my external HDD when i plug it in mac doesnt recognize it(macbook pro retina late 2012) but on iMac with os snow leopard (external is WD my passport wdbacx0010BSL)

Thank you for your reply.
I tried that last night. When I tried to verify the disk from startup, I received this message:
when I tried to repair the disk I received this message:
After the second message, I moved what I needed off the external HDD and tried to reformat. Which led to the errors in my OP. So frustrating.
Message was edited by: web-betty (replaced screenshots)

Just bought a mac air with OS X v.10.7 Lion, for work I need to read and write NTFS drives, I install MacFuse and NTFS-3G, but it can not mount (recognize?) External HDD, in my MBP with Snow Lepard it work just perfectly... help please.

Just bought a mac air with OS X v.10.7 Lion, for work I need to read and write NTFS drives, I install MacFuse and NTFS-3G, but it can not mount (recognize?) External HDD, in my MBP with Snow lepard it work just perfectly... help please.

Reinstall MacFuse with the one from http://www.tuxera.com/mac/macfuse-core-10.5-2.1.9.dmg. If that doesn't work, you can use Paragon NTFS for Mac 9.0 which has been designed to work with Lion.

Just bought a mac air with OS X v.10.7 Lion, for work I need to read and write NTFS drives, I install MacFuse and NTFS-3G, but it can not mount (recognize?) External HDD, in my MBP with Lion it work just perfectly... help please.

Just bought a mac air with OS X v.10.7 Lion, for work I need to read and write NTFS drives, I install MacFuse and NTFS-3G, but it can not mount (recognize?) External HDD, in my MBP with Lion it work just perfectly... help please.

Sorry in my MBP Snow lepard it work.. don't have Lion In MBP

Do I need to buy a new external HDD for my Air?

I currently have a 2T External HDD that I have been using with my Windows computer. However, I am having problems using it with my MacBook Air - for example, I can't create new folders on the external HDD when using the Air. I read somewhere that "Mac OSX does not write to NTFS disks" (whatever that means) and that I'll need to "reformat the drive to either Fat32 or HFS" (again, I don't know what this means). I don't want to reformat the drive if that will cause me to lose the files that I already have on my external HDD. So, do I need to buy a new external HDD to use with my MacBook Air?

You CAN with the program PARAGON, however its a bit too much effort, .....external HD are cheap as dirt.
A nice 2TB 2.5" external is $117
I read somewhere that "Mac OSX does not write to NTFS disks"
It CAN, but with another APP as mentioned PARAGON
You dont have to reformat anything,.....options are PARAGON, or another HD (the easy way).
You dont have to buy another HD, however having 2 archives of your vital data you dont dare lose is important.
best options for the price, and high quality HD:
Quality 1TB drives are $50 per TB on 3.5" or $65 per TB on 2.5"
Perfect 1TB for $68
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Portable-Hard-Drive/dp/B005J7YA3W/ref=sr_1_ 1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379452568&sr=8-1&keywords=1tb+toshiba
Nice 500gig for $50. ultraslim and perfect
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Portable-External-Drive/dp/B009F1CXI2/ref=s r_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1377642728&sr=1-1&keywords=toshiba+slim+500gb
2.5" USB portable High quality BEST FOR THE COST, Toshiba "tiny giant" 2TB drive (have several of them, LOT of storage in a SMALL package) $117
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Connect-Portable-HDTC720XK3C1/dp/B00CGUMS48 /ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1379182740&sr=1-4&keywords=2tb+toshiba
*This one is the BEST portable external HD available that money can buy:
HGST Touro Mobile 1TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
$88
http://www.amazon.com/HGST-Mobile-Portable-External-0S03559/dp/B009GE6JI8/ref=sr _1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383238934&sr=8-1&keywords=HGST+Touro+Mobile+Pro+1TB+USB+3.0+72 00+RPM
Most storage experts agree on the Hitachi 2.5"
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.

Is it possible / needed to make a system save on an external HDD. In Windows German it is named "Systemabbild"

Is it possible / needed to make a system save on an external HDD?
In Windows German it is named "Systemabbild"
I am a new MacBook user and I am not sure, if the software from internet can damage my system, as like in Windows. Therefore it will be helpful for me, to get the info, how to make a system safe or a recovery disc, when possible.
Thanks for help

I recommend SuperDuper to make a complete 1:1 clone bootable backup of your hard disk to an external drive.

Hi, I bought extern HDD Western Digital 1,5 TB , but my i Mac, can't recognize it. Do I need a special programm?

Hi, I bougth an extern HDD Western Digital 1,5 TB, but my i Mac can't recognize it? Do i need a special programm to make a connection?

Anthony:-
Apple Partition Map is for PPC; GUID is required for intel, at least if the volume is going to be bootable.
Dimitar:-
Disk Utility is in your Applications / Utilities folder.
With the WD HD connected and switched on, it should appear in the sidebar of DU something like this;
Except it'll show 1.5TB and WD as the manufacturer. The volume below it will probably be greyed out, and unnamed.
If the first line is also greyed out, highlight it and select 'mount' from the icons in the top toolbar. Note that it may take a minute or so for the option to become available.
Then you can proceed to partition (GUID) and create the new volume.

HT1229 Can i move the iPhoto folder onto an external HDD? Will it work the same way after moving onto an external HDD? do I then need to have the external connected at all times, even when I don't use iPhoto?

I have a macbook pro, but the amount of pictures I have now exceeds 500GB
I want to have all the pictures in iPhoto, so I could see them and edit them in iPhoto.
Which means... I need the iPhoto file folder in an external HDD to use iPhoto that way.
Can i move the iPhoto folder onto an external HDD?
Will it work the same way, as if the iPhoto folder is on the internal drive?

yes
yes
Moving the iPhoto library is safe and simple - quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity to the external drive - depress the option key and launch iPhoto using the "select library" option to point to the new location on the external drive - fully test it and then trash the old library on the internal drive (test one more time prior to emptying the trash)
And be sure that the External drive is formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) (iPhoto does not work with drives with other formats) and that it is always available prior to launching iPhoto
And backup soon and often - having your iPhoto library on an external drive is not a backup and if you are using Time Machine you need to check and be sure that TM is backing up your external drive
LN

Just switching from CS4 & LR5 on Windows desktops to CS+LR monthly subcription for Mac, with catalogues, files etc residing on external HDD: Anything I need to be particularly aware of, or beware of, before/during switch?

Just switching from CS4 & LR5 on Windows desktops to CS+LR monthly subcription for Mac, with catalogues, files etc residing on external HDD (due to multi-location living & lots of travel). Anything I need to be particularly aware of, or beware of, before/during the switch? Thanks a lot for recommendations, suggestions, warnings, tips. Best, Joachim

The switch should be straight forward but I would start by uninstalling LR 5. This is because there is no specific CC version of Lightroom and you can’t run the creative cloud version and the perpetual version on the same machine. Your catalog and images will be safe and will not be affected by uninstalling. CS4 will not be affected and will still work independently.
Then launch CC desktop and go to the Apps tab. I would recommend installing in this order:
Photoshop CC 2014
Photoshop CC (if you need this to run old plug-ins)
Lightroom 5
If you install in that order LR will automatically recognize Photoshop for external editing from the LR Library.

Need help with pictures on an external HDD and windows labtop to Ipad3

Hallo everybody!
This week (I finally) bought an Ipad 3 and an Apple TV!
For the time being I still have a windows labtop and an external HDD full with photo's.
The ICloud software for windows has been installed because I would like to stream the pictures from this external HDD to my Ipad and then ofcourse on my flatscreen TV (via Apple TV). And ofcourse back, when I have taken a photo or a movie on the Ipad 3.
I would appreciate some help with the following questions:
do I have add all pictures from the HDD into a new map on the windows labtop. So that via Icloud the contain could become 'in the cloud'.
or do I have to add all the pictures from the HDD into the Itunes map on the windows labtop.
I have connected the Ipad to the windows labtop and via Itunes I have synchroniced a lot of pictures to the Ipad. I asume these are copies? And is it possible to remove them from the Ipad, because it will take a lot of memory (currently already 35 GB from the 64 GB).
Well I hope somebody could help me.
Many thanks in advance!
Ronald from the Netherland

I just found out that ICloud isen't really a storage place for photo's. Just a passing throw station to your other devices.

Need help how to recover my external HDD

I just got my new MacBook pro 13. Yesterday
I was trying to instill windows 7
I opened bootcamp
It's asked my to connect USB external device
I have connected my external HDD it's 80 GB Toshiba External HDD full with 70 GB of data with NTFS windows format
I thought it will store the windows 7 in the External HDD
I put a DVD also
I though it will take the windows 7 from the external HDD to the DVD
But inrealized it was erasing and formatting my external HDD
So I interrupt the operation and disconnecting my external HDD from MacBook pro
When I connect it again I found some folders of windows 7 and I didn't find my files
How to solve this problem please help me it's 70 GB data size

Sorry to hear of your problem.
Also sorry to tell you your data is more then likely gone.
Hopefully that external was just a Backup for data that exists on other storage devices, like on one of your computers. If not it is gone.
Never have I heard of Boot Camp asking for any one to connect an External drive. In fact Windows can not be installed on an external drive. So I have no idea why BC would ask you connect one. Maybe for the Windows Support files that are downloaded from the Apple server at the start of the Boot Camp Assistant. But then they can be saved to the internal HDD.

Need to defrag external HDD?

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