External Harddrive Problems

[mikewitzel]

When i open my external hardrive in Finder there seems to be no files on it, but when i open up "Get Info" it says that there is almost 90gb of files on it. Any idea of how to get my files back?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Have you checked Finder > select external HDD >> GET INFO >>> Format and Sharing & Permissions yet?

 

[mikewitzel]

it says "you can only read"

 

[simsaladimbamba]

it says "you can only read"

What does it say under FORMAT?

 

[mikewitzel]

it says "windows nt file system" i recently switched over to an imac when my pc crashed

 

[simsaladimbamba]

it says "windows nt file system" i recently switched over to an imac when my pc crashed

That is also called NTFS, and it can be read by Mac OS X.
Can you make a screenshot of the empty Finder window and the Get Info window (CMD+SHIFT+4 > SPACEBAR) and attach them to your next post?

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.
• 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

 

[mikewitzel]

here are the screen shots

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Then try this: Mac OS X – Show / Hide Hidden Files in Finder

Are the files still invisible?
What is that "WD Sm..." above the HDD's icon?

 

[mikewitzel]

i tried to install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X but it wouldnt work, the files are still invisible. the file above the external hardrive is just a setup driver for the external harddrive.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

i tried to install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X but it wouldnt work, the files are still invisible. the file above the external hardrive is just a setup driver for the external harddrive.

NTFS-3G is not needed to READ NTFS formatted HDDs.
What about the Terminal trick? Do you have access to another Mac or Windows PC?

 

[mikewitzel]

what is this Terminal Trick you speak of? I tried to open on my brother's PC aswell, it said there was 90gb of used space but nothing was showing in the actual file.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

what is this Terminal Trick you speak of? I tried to open on my brother's PC aswell, it said there was 90gb of used space but nothing was showing in the actual file.

THIS:

Then try this: Mac OS X – Show / Hide Hidden Files in Finder

Are the files still invisible?
What is that "WD Sm..." above the HDD's icon?

And where there files on that HDD?