Reformatting External HD for PC use

[SKIPofWELOOSE]

Recently my friend took our External USB Hard drive and reformatted it to work on Apple (MAC) computers. Once we realized how dumb that was on his part (we all have PCs) we want our external back, but now the PC won't recognize it to even format it back to PC. Would we have to take it to an apple computer to reformat it, or is there a way we can format it back to PC on the PC?? thanks....

[rkwyent]

Recently my friend took our External USB Hard drive and reformatted it to work on Apple (MAC) computers. Once we realized how dumb that was on his part (we all have PCs) we want our external back, but now the PC won't recognize it to even format it back to PC. Would we have to take it to an apple computer to reformat it, or is there a way we can format it back to PC on the PC?? thanks....

What up Pimping! Im in the 305 too.

Here is your answer. Back up the Data on the hard drive format the hard drive as FAT32 that way Pcs and MACs can read and write to the drive. That is how I have my external drives setup. I use PC but work at alot of studios with MACs.

[Togglehead]

Ouch...its USB external? Damn...

I dont remember if that shows up in the Computer Management section of Administrative tools. Heres the chain if it does...

Control panel ----> Admin tools ---> computer mngt.

In that window double click on "storage" and pray its listed as a drive "unformatted." If so...right click and format.

Me thinks it wont be there. Typically, macs (and unix boxes) can read PC stuff...but not the other way around. This might be a job for fdisk...

And yes...format to FAT32 so both can read...=]

[rkwyent]

FAT 32 can be read by almost all OSes.

Linux, Unix, Mac OS and Windows, DOS the list goes on. The only issue is you may run into problems formatting disks larger than 320 gigs.

[Togglehead]

FAT 32 can be read by almost all OSes.

Linux, Unix, Mac OS and Windows, DOS the list goes on. The only issue is you may run into problems formatting disks larger than 320 gigs.


right...and isnt there a filename length issue too? or was that only with 16...

[rkwyent]

right...and isnt there a filename length issue too? or was that only with 16...

yes there is a file length issue but it is not as restrictive as the one in FAT16. The only other problems i have with file names is that sometimes the MACs save files with wierd characters the PC doesn't recognized but a quick rename always fixes the problem.

[SKIPofWELOOSE]

Ill try this that chain

Control panel ----> Admin tools ---> computer mngt

and hope it works