Hard drive can't be read on Mac

WD External Drives External Drives for PC
1

Hello, I’m really confused about how this is supposed to work. I acquired a WD 1TB Passport drive recently.

I’ve stored some files on it using a Windows PC. However, when I tried storing more files on it using a Mac, the drive appears to be read-only. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do so I can store files on it using a Mac.

I’ve read around and it’s only confusing me more - do I have to reformat my drive for a Mac? Will this erase all existing files? Does this mean that my drive can only be read by either a Mac or a Windows PC at a time, and not both?

Thanks in advance.

2

A drive formatted NTFS for Windows is read only on a Mac. To read the drive on Windows and Mac It can be formatted FAT32 but the largest file size is 4 gig. There is software that will work also http://community.wdc.com/t5/WD-Portable-Drives/unwritable-drive/td-p/435872 see post 6.

Joe

3

Hello Joe_S,

Thanks for the reply. 

Thanks for the advice. I will try the software in the link provided. However, what do you mean by the largest file size is 4 gig if I format FAT32?

4

Yes 4 gig is the largest file that FAT32 wil handle. Also remember reformatting the drive will wipe out the data now stored on it.

Joe

1 Like
5

Is there a way to make the drive readable by both Windows and Mac, without having to reformat it?

6

Check out NTFS-3G http://www.tuxera.com/community/ntfs-3g-download/

Joe

1 Like