• • Part 1: Format FAT32 Drive on Mac First, let us look on how to format FAT32 drive on Mac (). You could be wondering what FAT32 is.

It is a file system in Windows 95, 98, and windows Millennium Edition. Java 1.6 download for windows. One major advantage about this file system is that nearly all the operating systems can read and write from it. On the contrary, it just accommodates files less than 4GB. So if you have a drive that you want to format ensure it is smaller size. Nevertheless, if you have a drive that is more than 4GB, you can download software known as Swissknife.

You can use LaCie Setup Assistant to format your LaCie hard drive when it is first connected to a. Mac OS Extended refers to the file system used by Mac OS X. For instance, Windows retrieves, stores and formats any flash drive or external hard disk using its default format, that is: NTFS (New Technology File System). The thing is, although Apple largely has support for NTFS and other Windows formats, write support to NTFS drives is disabled in OS X.

After installing it, it will be much easier to format large files. How to format FAT32 drive on Mac Step 1. Now here is how to format your FAT32 external drive on Mac.

Go finder window on you Mac then click on Applications the image right. From there, you need to open disk utility. Therefore, scroll down until you see a folder Utilities Double click on it. What you have to do is scroll down through the icons until you find an icon labelled Disk Utility again double click on it.

When it opens at the centre, it will command you to select a disk, volume, image that you want to format. From there, you need to open disk utility. Therefore, scroll down until you see a folder Utilities Double click on it. Move the cursor to the top left and choose the disk you want to format. To achieve this you have to double click on your external drive and click the Erase icon, which is at the top of your Mac screen.

After doing so, a command dialog box will be displayed that give you options of formatting your drive. Your problem is almost getting a solution if you still keeping track to these steps. Next, go to Format at the centre of the screen and select MS-DOS (Fat) file format system that allows compatibility with your windows drive. Below that, you will see Name this allows you to change the name of your external drive if you wish to. From there, click Erase at the bottom of the screen. Immediately you will get a warning but go ahead and click, Erase. When you here just relax and wait until the process is over before you remove the drive.

When reformatting process is over your drive will beFAT32 and you can now use it. Part 2: Format NTFS Drive on Mac The second task is how to format NTFS drive on Mac. NTFS is built for windows operating system therefore it is not supported by Mac. For this case, it is advisable to install programs called NTFS 3G, which works in, handy with MacFuse.

Both of these are first installed in the computer. It is easier and faster to install despite having using some cash to purchase these NTFS apps such as Tuxera or Paragon NTFS. When both are installed to the PC, they will enable the user to read and write on the drive that is after following these steps. How to format NTFS drive on Mac Step 1. Follow the similar procedure that is used in formatting the FAT32 above. Go to finder window in your Mac, and then click on Applications at the left hand side of your screen.

Then double click on Utilities icon, which will appear at the screen along other applications you have installed in your computer. Next, click on Disk Utility. As the NTFS 3G is free program most users have noted bugs despite of its success. Since you had inserted your external drive, hence it will pop up at the top right of your screen.

Select that drive you want to format by first choosing the NTFS 3G format that will be displayed. You can also opt to rename your drive if you wish. Once again at the bottom of your screen to the right you will see Erase option. A warning will be displayed to you that require you simply click Erase.Be patient as the drive is formatted when it is done you are good to go.

You can now read and copy paste items on your drive. Best apple mac for video editing. Another alternative to Tuxera is Paragon NTFS. This program gives a user a room for modification and deletion of items on windows NTFS. As you have seen the NTFS formatted drives should not worry since you have a way out.

You may have encountered a case where you insert an external drive in your Mac and you cannot copy items on your Mac but you can read them. It is because your drive is using the NTFS windows system. Therefore, this leads to our third point of discussion on how to format any drive on your Mac.