Mac to PC, disc file system, Ethernet cable

[PrincessYoga]

Hi guys. I think I might be a little confused and hope you might be able to clarify my understandings. So I'm attempting to move all my pictures from a Macbpook Pro onto a desktop PC. Someone mentioned that I could use an Ethernet cable to move files directly. Previously, I've used an external hard drive to move files from one PC to another. However, with Macs, isn't there a different disc file system used that makes that method I incompatible? HFS+ vs NFTS? And wouldn't that also be similar to using an Ethernet cable? Am I missing something?

My searches came up short. Maybe I'm using the incorrect terms.

 

[lxskllr]

I believe you'd need an ethernet crossover cable. An external hd will work fine. It just needs to be formatted in a file system both computers can read. I don't know what Apple does, but I'd be surprised if it couldn't read ntfs or some version of fat.

 

[PrincessYoga]

I believe you'd need an ethernet crossover cable. An external hd will work fine. It just needs to be formatted in a file system both computers can read. I don't know what Apple does, but I'd be surprised if it couldn't read ntfs or some version of fat.

I guess I must be having trouble understanding what exactly a file system is. I understand there are different ones but even when you use an Ethernet crossover cable, don't you have to account for the different file systems?

 

[master_shake_]

if both computers have a gigabit nic you don't need a crossover cable

it's built in to the spec.

see if you can share a folder on your windows pc over the network and try to connect to it on the mac.

file system doesn't matter.

 

[lxskllr]

I guess I must be having trouble understanding what exactly a file system is. I understand there are different ones but even when you use an Ethernet crossover cable, don't you have to account for the different file systems?

The file system is irrelevant as long as it's recognized. The o/s only needs to know how the bits are organized on the drive. If you plug a drive into your Apple, and it's recognized as a valid drive, and the same is true of Windows, you can use that drive to copy your data. The file system isn't a concern.

Using a crossover cable is networking. I've never done it, but it likely isn't as easy as using an external drive.

 

[OlyAR15]

If you want to use an external drive, then you should format it as FAT32 or exFAT, which the Mac, as long as it has an up to date OS, should be able to write to. The Mac can read an NTFS drive, but cannot write to it. Windows cannot natively read a HFS drive. Of course there are third party software that can overcome this.

Other option is through the network. Assuming both the PC and Mac are connected to the same network, just create a shared drive/folder on the PC, then connect to that folder on the Mac and copy the files over. The file format is irrelevant when sending data over a network.

 

[JackMDS]

There is actually software that make OSX NTFS capable too.

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/

That said, if a MAC and Windows computers are Networked you might not be be able to use Save As and save from inside App through the Network to NTFS Drive or vice versa (like you can do between two computer of the same OS)

However, standard format files already saved on each computer can be copied between the two computers via Ethernet Network provided that both Windows and Mac file sharing is correctly configured.



😎

 

[LPCTech]

Buy external usb HDD
Format to FAT32
plug into mac
transfer files onto HDD and unplug
plug into windows machine
transfer files onto it and unplug
thats all

networking a mac and windows pc for one file transfer isnt worth it.