Why doesn't my external drive accept any files that are larger than 4 or 5 GB?

[johnbro23]

If I try to use my external for any large files (say with HD video), it stops writing after any file gets to be around 4 or 5 gigs (its hard to tell exactly). Any idea what this problem is? If its a formatting issue, is there a way to reformat while keeping the files on the drive?

[swiftaw]

Is you drive formatted as FAT32?

If so, it is a file size limit of FAT32, which is around 4GB I think.

[johnbro23]

You must be right, since it is FAT32. Can I reformat without having to move data to another drive? I don't think I can find any more space to do that on my other drive. Also, if I reformat, will I be able to use the drive with a PC? With Parallels?

[CanadaRAM]

Reformatting = destroying all files on the drive.

Your choices are limited. If you format NTFS from within Windows, the Mac OS will not be able to write to it.

If you format HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) then Windows will not be able to read or write.

If you format FAT32, you can.t have files larger than 4 Gb.

[johnbro23]

Well that sucks. What is wrong with these programmers that they can't decide on a standard format for a drive? Seems like a pretty basic decision to me.

[jeremy.king]

f you format NTFS from within Windows, the Mac OS will not be able to write to it.
You can with MacFuse and NTFS-3G


If you format HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) then Windows will not be able to read or write.


You mean for free. You can, however, invest in MacDrive and read/write HFS+ drives.

If its a formatting issue, is there a way to reformat while keeping the files on the drive?
You can convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing files from a Windows machine. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881