LaCie Rugged Triple 1TB

[Ally77]

Hi All,

I have a LaCie Rugged Triple 1TB that I need to use, but am fearful because of one step. I'm not a techie, so thanks for 'holding my hand' on this one.

When I plug it into my MBP, it asks me to ERASE. I purchased the HD new from the local apple store, so the idea of erasing anything plugged into my MBP scares me since I don't want to accidentally erase my MBP HD. But, why am I being asked to erase something on a brand new HD? Is the content on my MBP HD in any danger of being erased?

I thought it would be as easy as just connecting, and drag/drop my content ... ?!

And, will I be able to use this same LaCie Triple (USB 3.0, USB 2.0, 2x FireWire 800) on a mid-2017 iMac 21.5"?

I also found these directions on their website:
Mac

1. Make sure the storage device is connected to and mounted on the computer.
2. Select Go > Utilities in the Finder menu bar.
3. In the Utilities folder, double-click Disk Utility. 
All connected storage devices, partitions or disk images are displayed in the left column.
4. Select the LaCie hard drive in the left column.
5. Click the Erase tab.
6. Choose a format from the drop-down window.
7. Enter a name for the volume.
8. Click Erase and confirm your selection in the pop-up window.

https://www.lacie.com/manuals/rugged/usbc/optional-formatting-partitioning/

Thank you so much for any assistance/insight you can offer me!

 

[chscag]

The LaCie drive is likely formatted to NTFS (Windows format) and must be erased and reformatted in order to use it with your MacBook Pro. You can not erase the drive in your MBP when you're booted from it. The system will not allow it so there is no fear there. Be sure to format the LaCie to Mac OS Extended (HFS+) using the GUID scheme. It should default to that.

As for using the LaCie with your Mid 2017 21.5" iMac, you will only be able to use the USB 3.0 connection since your iMac does not have Firewire or USB 2.

 

[Juicy Box]

The LaCie drive is likely formatted to NTFS (Windows format) and must be erased and reformatted in order to use it with your MacBook Pro. You can not erase the drive in your MBP when you're booted from it. The system will not allow it so there is no fear there. Be sure to format the LaCie to Mac OS Extended (HFS+) using the GUID scheme. It should default to that.

As for using the LaCie with your Mid 2017 21.5" iMac, you will only be able to use the USB 3.0 connection since your iMac does not have Firewire or USB 2.

Well said..

I will add that if you plan on ever using the drive with Windows, the HFS won't work with Windows. You can choose FAT32 or EXFAT, as both Mac and Windows can read and Write with those file systems.

If you know you won't use Windows, then go with the preferred HFS+, which is defaulted when you erase a drive in Disk Utility.

 

[Fishrrman]

As explained above, you have to erase it and re-initialize it into Mac format.
You want "Mac OS Extended with journaling enabled".

I -WOULD NOT- use a "cross platform format" (i.e., exFat) on a drive that will hold important Mac files. Use "Mac format for Mac files". Things just go better that way.

If you need to exchange data with a Windows PC, get a USB3 flash drive of sufficient capacity and speed. Use that as your "cross-platform" drive instead.

 

[Ally77]

chscag, vertical smile, Fishrrman, thank you, thank you, thank you! That is all very helpful. And no PC for me, so hopefully, that keeps things simple!