Mac reading windows

[R2D2]

I know zero point zero about Mac computers but a friend has a Mac Laptop but had a windows based dell before. If the hard drive from the dell is put in a USB enclosure will the Mac be able to find docs and photos on the hard drive? Sorry if this is dim

 

[spinaltap]

Simple answer: yes.

Even simpler answer: Belkin produce a PC to Mac cable to facilitate all your data transfer requirements (without butchering the Dell) - http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=459781

Another simple answer: transfer required files to a USB flash drive from the Dell - and then insert into the Mac. All your docs will be read by the relevant Mac application (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, iWork etc), and your photos will easily be read by iPhoto on the Mac.

 

[Dryce]

I know zero point zero about Mac computers but a friend has a Mac Laptop but had a windows based dell before. If the hard drive from the dell is put in a USB enclosure will the Mac be able to find docs and photos on the hard drive? Sorry if this is dim

If the drive is formatted as FAT or FAT32 then it should work fine.

I haven't tried a NTFS formatted drive with MacOS but I believe it should work with 10.4 or later. (read only).

 

[R2D2]

Cheers guys! So basically it isn't a problem. I presume that it would be possible to, having removed the hard drive from the dell, let the Mac format it as a USB hard drive and then the Mac can back up to it....

 

[bolide]

Yes - a Mac doesn't care where the disk came from so long as it has a format it can read. And they are happy reading all the main PC formats

Disk Utility will reformat the drive OK. But bear in mind that laptop drives are a fair bit slower than ordinary 5.25" drives

Nick Froome
www.pvision.co.uk

 

[Dryce]

ordinary 5.25" drives

Bit of age showing there methinks

 

[crockers]

What about reel to reel tape or punch cards......

 

[bolide]

Sorry, yes, I meant to say 8" floppy!

Nick Froome
www.pvision.co.uk