Mac formatted ext.HHD to PC

[Fishtalk]

I had all my files backed up, plus a CCC cloned version of my OSX system in two different partitions on an Iomega Firewire ext.HHD.
My trusty old PPC Mac has since died and some one has given me a Dual core PC. Yeeeck !
The Iomega has both USB2 and FW connections
Question ? could I connect the ext HHD via USB 2 to the PC to get my files back
or would it risk damaging the Iomega.... I assume the ext.HHD is formatted MAC. and the PC.... well PC!!!! Just before the Mac died I tried backing up a few files on a memory stick...and have found the most of them wont open on the PC
Or should I just be patient and wait until I can afford a new Mac...
Thanks

 

[spinnerlys]

You can use MacDrive to gain access to HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) formatted volumes via Windows, as Windows is not capable to natively read or write to such volumes.
And you will not damage the HDD by connecting it to a PC running Windows, unless you use Windows to format it.

Some more information about file systems:

FAT32

• Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
• No individual file larger than 4GB.

NTFS

• Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
• Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
• To Read/Write NTFS from Leopard: Install MacFUSEand NTFS-3G. You can install both with NTFS-3Gfor Mac OS X.
• To Read/Write NTFS from Snow Leopard: Guide: Enable native NTFS Read/Write in Snow Leopard
• (Be aware that some are of the opinion that enabling native NTFS in SL is unstable/unreliable, and favor the MacFuse/NTFS-3G method for Snow Leopard)

HFS

• Read/Write HFS from native Mac OS X
• To Read/Write HFS from Windows, Install MacDrive
• To Read HFS (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer

 

[Mikegs]

Excellent guide spinnerlys!

Just want to add, that in order to use Time Machine, the drive (or part hereof) must be Mac formatted. Time Machine won't work on NFTS (or exFat), even if third party software makes the Mac able to read/write NFTS

 

[spinnerlys]

Excellent guide spinnerlys!

Just want to add, that in order to use Time Machine, the drive (or part hereof) must be Mac formatted. Time Machine won't work on NFTS (or exFat), even if third party software makes the Mac able to read/write NFTS

Thanks, but that guide is by GGJstudios, as it is quoted from one of his posts.

 

[Fishtalk]

You can use MacDrive to gain access to HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) formatted volumes via Windows, as Windows is not capable to natively read or write to such volumes.
And you will not damage the HDD by connecting it to a PC running Windows, unless you use Windows to format it.

Some more information about file systems:

Thanks.... MacDrive seems to be what I'm looking for.
Any problems between FW and USB2.... I've always used the FW conect to my ex mac but the PC only has a USB2 conect...I think

 

[spinnerlys]

Thanks.... MacDrive seems to be what I'm looking for.
Any problems between FW and USB2.... I've always used the FW conect to my ex mac but the PC only has a USB2 conect...I think

Not that I know of and have experienced, though not many PCs I encounter even have Firewire, thus I have to use USB.