external hdd

[maremalin]

Hello,
Just got new mac yesterday yeeahhhh
I have got small problem - there is external hdd (usb) and there is lots of my stuff - some pictures some documents etc.
when i connect disk with computer - there is info: disk insertion the disk you inserted was not...
i can not use any of my files
can You pls help me

Marek

 

[thewhitehart]

If it is NTFS formatted, your mac will be able to read it but not write to it. You may have to reformat the drive using OS X's Disk Utility program, but keep in mind you will lose your data so backup first. By formatting in FAT32 (MS-DOS mode) the drive can be read and written to by both macs and windows pcs.

 

[CDailey]

When formatted under FAT32, I heard about a "4GB" limit. Is this file size, or total disk size?

 

[heehee]

When formatted under FAT32, I heard about a "4GB" limit. Is this file size, or total disk size?

It's file size.

 

[CDailey]

Gotcha, thank you.

 

[maremalin]

If it is NTFS formatted, your mac will be able to read it but not write to it. You may have to reformat the drive using OS X's Disk Utility program, but keep in mind you will lose your data so backup first. By formatting in FAT32 (MS-DOS mode) the drive can be read and written to by both macs and windows pcs.

I think is fat16 now.
I need to format in fat32 - ok
I understand i have to use windows to do backup first?
There is no way i can use only mac to backup and format?

marek