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Can PC software can be used on new iMacs?
- Thread starter knights
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You cannot run Windows software on Mac OSX (at the moment). Windows software targets the Windows API (Application Programming Interface, a massive set of methods that a programmer calls to get stuff done). OSX implements it's own API that is totally different to the Windows one.
If your old hard drive is formatted NTFS a Mac will be able to read from it, but not write to it. If it's FAT then the Mac will be able to read and write.
If your old hard drive is formatted NTFS a Mac will be able to read from it, but not write to it. If it's FAT then the Mac will be able to read and write.
cube said:
So it can be reformatted if it's either FAT or NTSC? Is this easy to do? How much does that slow your computer down when using an external as opposed to an internal hard drive?
Sorry to throw all these questions at you. I just don't know what to do. But the software defenitely won't work right?
Reformatting in Mac OS X is handled with a program called Disk Utility.knights said:
If you opt to leave your drive FAT32 you shouldn't suffer a performance penalty at all. Internal vs. External makes little difference where FAT32/NTFS/HFS Plus are concerned. The primary factor is the speed of the drive's interface to the computer.
Yes, the software will NOT work.
If you are going to use your external hard drive with a (non-Intel) Mac then it's best to format it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled), which is also known as HFS extended. This is the default format in Disk Utility. (Click on the drive in Disk Utility panel on the left, select the Erase tab and then the erase button).
You will then be able to make a bootable clone of your Mac's internal HD on the external. The donationware app CarbonCopyCloner is your best friend here.
If you are going to use it just for data storage and will be connecting it to both Macs and PCs then go FAT32 format. As wrldwzrd89 said it will work fine and your Mac will be able to read from and write to it. Only downside is that it will not be bootable.
You will then be able to make a bootable clone of your Mac's internal HD on the external. The donationware app CarbonCopyCloner is your best friend here.
If you are going to use it just for data storage and will be connecting it to both Macs and PCs then go FAT32 format. As wrldwzrd89 said it will work fine and your Mac will be able to read from and write to it. Only downside is that it will not be bootable.
deebster said:
One more downside. FAT32 does not allow file ownership and permissions so if you share the computer everyone will be able to get at each other's files.
I would stay away from NTSC. Try PAL or SECAM. They are much higher quality.knights said:
Sorry, bad joke.