Problem with the External HardDisk on iMac

[soamz]

Hi..
I just bought this [500GB WD Elements Portable],
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=480

Cover says, for using on MAC, we have to format it on MAC.
So, I went to Disk Utility and erased the Drive using MAC OS JOURNALED and CASE SENSITIVE (Though I dont know the meaning).

Then I was able to move files to it.

But when Im connecting the same drive to my windows machine for copying files from it, windows doesnt even show this drive .

Dont know, whats wrong.
Im sure, its something with the formatting. Anyways, I need it to work on both windows and OS X.
Whats the right way to use such portable hard drives for that reason ?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Read below about the different file systems.

FAT32 (File Allocation Table)

• Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
• Maximum file size: 4GB.
• Maximum volume size: 2TB

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: Install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X (free)
• Some have reported problems using Tuxera (approx 33USD).
• Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard, 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

HFS+ (Hierarchical File System, a.k.a. Mac OS Extended)

• Read/Write HFS+ from native Mac OS X
• Required for Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner backups of Mac internal hard drive.
• To Read/Write HFS+ from Windows, Install MacDrive
• To Read HFS+ (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer
• Maximum file size: 8EiB
• Maximum volume size: 8EiB

exFAT (FAT64)

• Supported in Mac OS X only in 10.6.5 or later.
• exFAT partitions created with OS X 10.6.5 are inaccessible from Windows 7
• Not all Windows versions support exFAT. See disadvantages.
• 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

 

[soamz]

So, what should I be doing now ?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

So, what should I be doing now ?

Decide which file system you want to use.
I don't want to repeat the FAQ posted above, but if you primarily use the HDD with Windows, use NTFS. Then follow the options shown in the FAQ.
If you primarily use the HDD with Mac OS X and have extra money to spend, use HFS+ and MacDrive.
If you don't have files bigger than 4GB use FAT32.
If your OSs comply with exFAT, use exFAT.

You could also partition your HDD though.

 

[soamz]

Ok, I want it to work READ/WRITE with both windows and mac.
And it will be used mostly on windows system.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Ok, I want it to work READ/WRITE with both windows and mac.
And it will be used mostly on windows system.

Then NTFS it is.
But know, that another formatting will delete all the data, therefore you need to backup the data already stored on the external HDD.

 

[soamz]

Ok will take the drive to windows system and format it using NTFS.
So, I will be able to read/write while its attached to OS X also, right ?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

So, I will be able to read/write while its attached to OS X also, right ?

Yes, but Mac OS X is not natively capable to write to NTFS formatted volumes, but please read the FAQ I posted, as it answers your question and provides the solution.

 

[soamz]

Ok thanks. Let me try now.

 

[maccompaq]

For myself, I prefer formatting as FAT32. I do not transfer files over 4GB in size.

 

[RedTomato]

Guys, use your judgement. How much technical knowledge do you think the OP has? I seriously wouldn't start talking about Macdrive, NTFS-3G etc.

To Soamz, here's a simple answer: Use FAT32. Then it'll work with every computer on the market. No drivers needed, no third party software needed.

BTW your thread title is incorrect. You're not having any problems with the external harddisk on your iMac. It's working fine. It's Windows that can't read it.