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    How does Mac OS X handle files >4.3 GB?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by titaniummd, Jan 21, 2009.

  1. titaniummd

    titaniummd Notebook Deity

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    I used a Windows laptop and I needed to format in NTFS to transfer files >4.3 GB. What does Mac OS X need to do?

    The reason I ask is because I just got a hard drive that I formatted in MS DOS FAT (so that Windows and Mac can read the drive).
     
    titaniummd, Jan 21, 2009
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  2. enter260

    enter260 Notebook Consultant

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    it can read it just fine
     
    enter260, Jan 21, 2009
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  3. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    File size limitation is due to the format of the drive. FAT32 is limited to 4GB file size. NTFS and HFS+ (the Mac native file system) are not. If you format a drive FAT32 you will run into the 4GB limitation regardless of Windows or Mac.

    If you need cross-platform support with 4GB+ file sizes you can either format NTFS and use Paragon NTFS or MacFuse with NTFS-3G which are read/write NTFS drivers for OS X or format in HFS+ and use MacDrive which is a HFS+ read/write driver for Windows.
     
    ltcommander_data, Jan 21, 2009
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  4. moko

    moko Notebook Consultant

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    Never tried macfuse, but paragon corrupted at least half of my files (pics, music, photos)..all the defect went away after I uninstalled paragon.
     
    moko, Jan 21, 2009
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  5. cdnalsi

    cdnalsi Food for the funky people

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    Or to make it simpler:

    In OS X: FAT32 read+write (4GB file cap), NTFS read only, HFS+ read+write(mac native)
    In Windows = FAT32 = read+write (4GB file cap), NTFS read+write, HFS+ nothing (can't even see the partition in Windows).

    Software: MacFuse with NTFS-3G for OS X to be able to read+write NTFS
    MacDrive for Windows to be able to read+write HFS+
     
    cdnalsi, Jan 21, 2009
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  6. times

    times Notebook Evangelist

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    yeah,it can read no prob buy dont try and play 4+ files unless you use that macfuse. i tried macfuse but didnt work for some reason,thats okay cause i wouldnt trust the software in case it messes up the hdd and all them hd movies will be gone lol. use bootcamp and parallels if ur gonna or need to download large files,you can transfer the files while in parallels. i tried it and it workt with a large hdmkv.
     
    times, Jan 21, 2009
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