Prev: Replaced iMac HD - now fans constantly on
Next: Email reply address (using Sky and Apple Mail)
From: David Baxter on 25 Mar 2010 05:23
Roger Darlington wrote:

>>> Why should I buy a drive that I cannot write to?

If you check the FAQ's on the Expansion pages on Seagate's website,
there's a section that says you may need to format the drive for use
with a Mac. I'd imagine there's something similar in the paperwork they
stick in the box.

>>> It has two files on it, both /exe files, which dont seem to run on the
>>> iMac.

They won't. EXE files are executable programs for Windows/DOS. Probably
free backup software bundled with the drive.

>>> Also bear in mind that I wish to download AVCHD movies onto it from a
>>> Panasonic HD camcorder. Naturally, I don't wish to limit my viewing of
>>> the AVCHD files to my iMac, but would also like to play them back via
>>> a Panasonic Blu-Ray recorder (not bought yet) onto the Panasonic TV.

Sounds like you'll need FAT32. If you're downloading straight to the
hard drive (ie, bypassing your Mac), then check the camcorder's manual,
it may give a list of supported filesystems. If not then you'll only
need to see what file systems the Blu-Ray recorder supports.

As said, FAT32 unfortunately isn't the most efficient file system but
it's one of the most widely supported. See how it goes, I guess.

Dave
--
(remove spamblock or reply to group)
From: Woody on 25 Mar 2010 05:51
Roger Darlington <rogerarm(a)freeuk.com> wrote:

> On 24 Mar 2010, Chris Ridd wrote:
> > On 2010-03-24 17:30:45 +0000, Roger Darlington said:
> >
> >> I have just bought a Seagate 2TB "Expansion Drive".
> >>
> >> On the iMac it says it is Windows NT format, and says it is 'Read
> >> Only'!!
> >>
> >> Huh?
> >>
> >> What?
> >>
> >> Why should I buy a drive that I cannot write to?
> >>
> >> It has two files on it, both /exe files, which dont seem to run on the
> >> iMac.
> >>
> >> I assume Windows NT format is in-compatible with iMac?
> >
> > For writing, yes. Unless you buy the NTFS driver from Paragon.
>
> Something reminds me here of "Not fit for purpose"...
> How remiss of Seagate not to include free drivers...

Its a hard drive, they format it for you as a convenience, and as most
buyers will be windows users they format it in NTFS. Your mac doesn't do
NTFS so you have to reformat it as HFS+.

> >> Are there any disadvantages to formatting it to FAT32?
> >
> > For starters it can't store big files and it is inefficient. I don't
> > think it can support 2TB volume sizes either, but since Wikipedia seems
> > to be down at the moment I can't check.
>
> Just checked, up to 2TB (4TB under unusual conditions that I probably
> dont have, and the disc isn't 4TB anyway).
>
> I think I'll format it to FAT32, at least there's a slight chance it
> might also work on a BluRay recorder.
>
> I'll also send a letter to Seagate reminding them of the "not fit for
> purpose" law we have!

It is perfectly fit for purpose. If you format it it will work fine.
what does it say about it in the manual? I am guessing if it mentions it
works on OSX, it will say in the manual how to make it so.

Looking on the website it says it is 'instantly recognizable by the
windows operating system'

--
Woody
First  |  Prev  | 
Pages: 1 2
Prev: Replaced iMac HD - now fans constantly on
Next: Email reply address (using Sky and Apple Mail)