03.06.2003

MacOSX and external hard-disk

Have you ever tried using an 160GB external hard-disk (USB or Firewire) with MacOSX? If you ever want to try it, read the following, because it can safe you some time. First, yes it's possible to run big hard-disks with MacOSX - it took me only several days to get it working...here is a short summary: The documentation told me that I don't need any additional drivers for MacOSX, so I simply plugged the hard-disk into my Powerbook and...nothing happened. Ok, rereading the docs, searching a little bit in the internet revealed: you have to install the provided drivers and backup software. Ok, drivers and software installed, reboot, plugging in the hard-disk...again nothing...hmm, going back into the internet searching a little bit: ah, you have to install the updates for the drivers and the software. Updates applied, reboot, connecting hard-disk...nothing happened. Now, when you are at this stage you have two choices: throw everything out of the window or DON'T GIVE UP. So, I threw everything out of the window...no, just a joke...of course I went into the net again and found out: MacOSX has a bug which prevents you from using partitions that are larger than 120 (or 128?) GB. Aha, the solution is simple: create partitions where every partition is not larger than 120 GB. As I wanted to use the hard-disk with Windows and MacOSX as well, I have to format the partitions using FAT32. Sounds simple: Booting PC with WindowsXP, entering the disk utility, deleting old partition, creating a new one with 80GB and...hey, why can't I choose FAT32? I can only select NTFS. Hmmm. Perhaps a bug in the GUI app? Who knows. So, let's use the commandline. Doesn't work either. So, I went to the knowledge base and found that starting with Windows2000, MS does not allow to format FAT32 partitions that are larger than 32GB (or was it 20?). They do this in order to get people start using NTFS and forget about FAT32. Great!! Fortunately, I have an old notebook with USB port which has still Windows98 installed. So, booting up the notebook, installing the drivers, reboot, connecting hard-disk and yuppi, I could finally create the partitions and format them using FAT 32 - ok, formatting them took only one hour, the notebook crashed the first time etc. But nothing that can prevent you from reaching your aim. And then the moment arrived: connecting this hard-disk with the two partitions to the powerbook. And what should I say, I threw everything out of the window...ok, again a joke, I would never do that! Instead, the partitions simply arrived on the MacOSX desktop without a sound, without a big bang. Very disappointing :( But it works now perfectly. What do we learn from this: do it or don't do it - there is no trying. If you want to have something working, never give up, there is always a way! 12:54:19 PM