how do I connect my external hard disk to my macbook?

Question

I have recently bought a macbook (2GHz dual core, intel processor, MacOSX etc). I have an external hard disk, previously formated and used in a PC (windows software).

When I plugged in the disk, my notebook could "see" the drive but had not access to the files.

What do I have to do?

Thanks
...quite new mac user ...so i need some help!

Answer 1

The problem is that Macs and PCs use different formats for their files that are incompatible with each other. If you just reformat your external hard drive with Disk Utility it will erase all the files on the hard drive.

I know for the Mac you can burn your data files to what's called a hybrid disk (ISO 9660) that is readable by both Macs and PCs. I use Toast by Roxio to do that on my Mac. If you have a program similar to that on your PC you could back up your files to DVD disks and transfer them that way to your new Mac.

Also with the program Virtual PC you were able to move files back and forth between the virtual PC and your Mac. But it does not work on the new Intel Macs. Maybe someone knows if the programs Paralles or Boot Camp, that let you have a Mac and a PC on your Mac, can move files like that.

I just looked at Boot Camp and it will let you see your files on the Windows partition and let you copy them to your Mac disk. Boot Camp is a free dowload from Apple at the following address: http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

Answer 2

If you want to use the external for the Mac and don't need the files that are in there. Reformat it with Disk Utility. Look in Disk Utilities Help menu for erasing a disc.

Answer 3

John, attempt reformatting the stress. danger is, it fairly is pre-formated in NTFS, that's a domicile domicile windows-in uncomplicated words format. Macs can learn this format, yet they might't write advice to it, that is why you have develop into this errors. What you're in a position to desire to do: a million) launch Disk utility. it fairly is placed on your ~purposes/Utilities folder. 2) choose for the exterior complicated stress from the left pane. make advantageous that MACINTOSH HD isn't chosen. 3) click on the Erase tab in the section to the dazzling. 4) in the drop-down menu next to volume format, choose for Mac OS prolonged (Journaled). Optionally, enter a custom call for the stress in the call container. 5) click the Erase button, and click Erase decrease back in the communication container that looks for affirmation. Please remember that this would thoroughly erase any assistance at present day on the stress. in case you have some thing significant on there, be advantageous to make a backup of it in the previous ending up this step. What you in uncomplicated words did is you reformatted the stress to HFS+, a format it incredibly is known by ability of the Mac OS. this would assist you're making complete use of your complicated stress, that's composed of use with Time device in case you're utilising Leopard.

Answer 4

Reformat it with the Mac utiliies. Maybe there is some special software from the maker of the drive.