I have a seagate hard disk and i hv been using it with windows vista will it run mac?

Question

I have heard people saying that a hard disk which is first put in windows cannot be used with a mac as it has different file format.I just recently bought a mac so i hv to transfer files can i use it? and by the way when i insert it in my mac it shows the content just scared to transfer.

Answer 1

To make this clear, if you can see the content then you can read the disk and can therefore transfer the files. You will probably not be able to write to the disk from your Mac because the disk is in ntfs format and Mac cannot write to ntfs unless you install an application/drivers that let you.





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You must format the hard disk to a Mac friendly format to use it. This can be done but any data will be destroyed. Also I've heard newer Macs can have proprietary connectors that will prevent you from using non "Mac" drives in a Mac computer. Using any non Mac parts including RAM will void your warranty. If the drive is external USB or eSATA and you have the port for it then you're good as long as the drive is in a format that the Mac can read, for data transfer from NTFS format I think it will work, I don't think you will be able to write to the disk from Mac though, at least not with out a special program to write to NTFS.

Answer 2

"I just recently bought a mac"

Oh, that is almost useless info. Tell the exact computer AND the OS version.



Don't be scared. Just copy (You say "transfer", I say "copy").

Mac OS X can mount all drive formats.

-- Mac OS X Can read-write to Mac format.

-- Mac OS X Can read-write to FAT formats (but don't use FAT format for a large drive--efficiency will be bad.

-- Mac OS X Can read but not write to NTFS format.

-- Windows cannot mount any Mac formatted drive unless you install special software.



Links below offer solutions.

Answer 3

Yes you can transfer your files because a Mac will see windows files.





Thanks.

Answer 4

Yes, you can use it.

Short answer Yes.