Formatting External Drives

[Leftus]

As a newly migrated Mac user, I tried to format my external HDD (40gb Cutie) which I have had for a few years. It was previously formatted in XP (fat32). I could load to my MBP (15" Rev D) but not from the MBP to the external HDD. So I tried reformatting using the beginners guide here. It went well until it hung-up. Since then the MBP and PCs do not recognise the external drive. Bringing up the Disk Utility I can see it but any attempt to use or format just has the MBP hang and I have to Force Quit.
Any assitance would be appreciated.

 

[Eraserhead]

Macs can read and write to FAT32 just fine, and can read NTFS (Microsoft's other format), so you shouldn't be having too many problems.

I think its a coincidental hardware failure. There shouldn't have been any problems and if there were both the Mac and PC should have let you format it.

 

[Leftus]

Macs can read and write to FAT32 just fine, and can read NTFS (Microsoft's other format), so you shouldn't be having too many problems.

I think its a coincidental hardware failure. There shouldn't have been any problems and if there were both the Mac and PC should have let you format it.

Thanks Eraserhead, I was hoping for something less costly, like try this** etc. But you maybe right. Thanks for your rep. Anyone else with some ideas?

 

[DouglasP]

You know, I had this same thing happen several times. I ended up formatting the external hard drive so only a Mac can read it, and have no more issues ever.

 

[Leftus]

Thanks douglasP.
Any chance of telling which format etc and how long it takes?
I have tried another format but it just hangs.......and I force quit.
Maybe I'm using the wrong format?
Cheers

 

[Neil321]

Thanks douglasP.
Any chance of telling which format etc and how long it takes?
I have tried another format but it just hangs.......and I force quit.
Maybe I'm using the wrong format?
Cheers

Mac OS extended journaled ( HFS+)

 

[MacBookProJoe]

Ive got a WD Passport 320G external that I formated NTS and used to store PC data on. I tried copying TO it from my mac and the message was that the Passport couldn't be modified. I can take FROM it but I cant write TO it.

Any thoughts?


Tom