Neowin Forums > How do I make a Mac read my external hard drive?

Full Version: How do I make a Mac read my external hard drive?

Neowin Forums > Macintosh Customization & Support > Mac Hardware Discussion & Help

tlogank

Apr 5 2005, 19:42

Do I need to format it a special way or what? I need to copy my friend's pictures over to it. Please let me know ASAP! Thanks!

illippinno

Apr 5 2005, 19:57

QUOTE(tlogank @ Apr 5 2005, 19:42)

Do I need to format it a special way or what? I need to copy my friend's pictures over to it. Please let me know ASAP! Thanks!
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External hard drives should be plug and play.

I have a WesternDigital external hard drive that use both USB and FireWire connection, and all I have to do it plug it into my Mac, and a drive will pop up in my desktop.

tlogank

Apr 5 2005, 20:02

QUOTE(illippinno @ Apr 5 2005, 15:57)

even an older version of MacOS, say version 10.2.8? Because it is throwing up an error saying it cannot read it when I put it in via USB2.0.

shihchiun

Apr 5 2005, 20:07

I think they need to be formatted with FAT or FAT32. If it's NTFS it probably won't work.

tlogank

Apr 5 2005, 20:15

QUOTE(shihchiun @ Apr 5 2005, 16:07)

I think they need to be formatted with FAT or FAT32. If it's NTFS it probably won't work.
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hmm, not working yet. Any other suggestions?

NinjaMonkey82

Apr 5 2005, 20:17

NTFS drives will be read only. FAT32 should work with both read and write.

If it doesn't mout correctly open up Disk Utility and see if the drive shows up there.

Vice

Apr 5 2005, 23:29

how are you connecting the drive, is it being read on a Windows computer ok? is it possible the drive is damaged? does it show up in Disk Utility? and what format is the drive currently using.

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