Windows' default NTFS is read-only on OS X, not read-and-write, and Windows computers can't even read Mac-formatted HFS+ drives. FAT32 works for both OSes, but has a 4GB size limit per file, so it. Hard drives advertised as being compatible with Windows and Mac OS may have misled you into thinking you could actually use one hard drive for both computers. You can, but not out of the box.
I have a Lacie d2 Quadra 1tb External Hard Drive. I had it for years on a Mac. But unfortunately it bit the dust and I decided to get a PC. Now either because of time, corruption or because it may have been formatted for a Mac when I plug it into my PC I cant access it. I can find it under Device Manager and Disk Management but that's it. But the PC does see the shortcut button when I plug it in I get a notice saying it sees it.
So I have come here to this community of bright individuals to seek guidance. I know very little about reformatting (possible nothing) so I don't want to mess it up. So here are my two question: 1.
After reformatting will I get all of the 1tb of space I had before? How do I do it. I would like to thank everyone for their assistance.
How to format your hard drive Seagate branded external drives come preformatted, some for PCs, some for Macs, and some of them have special utilities allowing them to work between both without formatting. Seagate internal drives must be formatted before use. Drives that will be bootable are formatted during the process of installing the operating system (ie, Windows or MacOS). Drives that will be used for storage can be formatted according to the instructions below. Or, if you have a drive that is formatted for a different type of computer or a drive that is not preformatted, you will need to format the drive before you can use it.
Formatting erases all data on the drive. So if you are formatting a drive that has already been used, be sure to copy any files you will ever want to see again onto a computer or backup drive. For instructions on how to format your hard drive on a Mac, please reference the following links: Formatting your drive in Windows.
To open the Disk Management press and hold the Windows key ( ) + ( R ). Type compmgmt.msc.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. In the pane on the left, under Storage, click Disk Management. If the drive is secondary storage and hasn't been initialized previously you may be prompted to initialize the disk first. Note: MBR for drives under 2TB and GPT for drives over 2TB. The drive should say unallocated Note: If it does not you will need to right-click and delete the volume first.
If the external hard drive is pre formatted for Mac, Disk Management will list 3 partitions and you will not be able to delete the 'Health (EFI System Partition)' because it's a protected partition. To delete this partition you have to use Microsoft Diskpart Erase utility. Please see the instructions. Right-click and select new simple volume. Click next 3 times.
Type the name of the drive in “Volume Label”. Make sure quick format is selected.
Click next then finished See more information at the.