Transferring a file from Mac to Windows

Candlelight · January 21 2009, 10:43 PM

I need to shift a VMWare file (around 25Gb) from my Mac to a Windows machine (for storage purposes - don't ask) and I need to find a way to shift it.

I would love to use Fat32 as they can both read and write to it, but I have the 4Gb file limit. I can't use NTFS cos Mac can't write to it to start with and Mac OS (Journaled) doesn't show up on Windows.

I tried a wireless Bluetooth connection but it didn't allow that file to transfer (but typically everything else did).

I a few months I'll need to throw this back on my Mac, so will have to reverse the process again.

Any suggestions?

Shaw · January 22 2009, 12:03 AM

You can't network the two systems?

Most later Macs include Windows file sharing abilities. It might not be the fastest way, but it'll work (both ways) in the end.

Kaziarl · January 22 2009, 12:03 AM

If it's just for storage there's several online storage sites. I don't know about size limits or that sort, but it's worth a look.

DontFeedPhil · January 22 2009, 12:58 AM

Or try this. Macdrive. You install it on the windows side and you should be able to transfer both ways...

http://rapidshare.com/files/18733865...2.5-keygen.rar

Stone_Cold_Sisko · January 22 2009, 02:49 AM

I'm not sure if there's a limit or not, but I've transferred huge files via direct send IM. ie, open up AIM on one computer, another AIM account on another, send from one to another.

Obviously if one is a laptop this is easier.

BCI · January 22 2009, 09:09 AM

Candlelight wrote:

Any suggestions?

With some luck the Finder will show a Windows share.

So far I've not managed to access the Mac from Windows.

Candlelight · January 22 2009, 09:07 PM

DontFeedPhil wrote:

Or try this. Macdrive. You install it on the windows side and you should be able to transfer both ways...

http://rapidshare.com/files/18733865...2.5-keygen.rar

That would be absolutely perfect however I'm actually on a work machine so I can't download a cracked version. Thanks anyway!

To everyone that have helped, thanks, but I've found another machine which I can store my VM image on, so all is settled.

BCI · January 23 2009, 12:42 AM

That's what I mean. Macs are crap. You need expensive software do to something very basic it cannot do out of the box. Especially unnerving since these things are lauded as more user friendly that Windows...

Lindley · January 23 2009, 12:54 AM

Wait, you just said that Macs are better at sharing with Windows than Windows is at sharing with Macs. How does this equate to a negative for Macs in your view?

There are always difficulties when trying to bridge two protocols. It doesn't say much about the protocols themselves.

Incidentally the only reason why Macs can't write to NTFS is because Microsoft has refused licensing to allow it.

J. Allen · January 23 2009, 02:28 AM

BCI wrote:

That's what I mean. Macs are crap. You need expensive software do to something very basic it cannot do out of the box. Especially unnerving since these things are lauded as more user friendly that Windows...

Special software?
I can connect to any computer I want, Mac, PC, Linux based. No special software required.

J.

BCI · January 23 2009, 11:25 AM

Lindley wrote:

Wait, you just said that Macs are better at sharing with Windows than Windows is at sharing with Macs. How does this equate to a negative for Macs in your view?

No. I said Windows is better at sharing with Macs, and that the Mac I have here refuses to share with Windows. Please, don't twist my words.

J. Allen wrote:

Special software?
I can connect to any computer I want, Mac, PC, Linux based. No special software required.

J.

Well, I can't. The person opening this thread can't. Two beats one.

Hermiod · January 23 2009, 11:35 AM

Let's break this down, shall we ?

The file is 25gb so FAT32 is out.

NTFS is read only on Macs. That's because NTFS is proprietary technology.

HFS+ and other non-Microsoft file systems are not supported on Windows. That's because Microsoft doesn't actively support any non-Microsoft file systems.

I don't see how Microsoft creating a technology and only allowing those companies who pay for a licence to use it is Apple's problem or a sign that Macs are somehow "bad".

My obvious suggestion would be to cut out all the proprietary problems, enable ftpd on your Mac and use any FTP client on the Windows box to transfer the files over.

spinnerlys · January 23 2009, 11:45 AM

MacFuse with the NTFS-3G drivers will allow Mac OS X to write to NTFS formatted volumes. It's free.

HFSEXplorer should allow Windows to read and write to an HFS(+) formatted volume. It is also free, but more cumbersome than MacDrive.

Connecting a Mac to Windows should be able by going to the Finder, select the Connect to Server (Cmd + K) in the Go menu and use Samba as protocol.

Example: smb://192.168.1.45 - with 192.168.1.45 being the IP address of the Windows domain, which is also an example.
File Sharing should be enabled on the Windows box.

If it doesn't work, maybe you can search or post on the MacRumors forums.

BCI · January 23 2009, 11:46 AM

Hermiod wrote:

Let's break this down, shall we ?

Gladly. I was talking about network shares. There is no file system on a network share.

BCI · January 23 2009, 11:49 AM

spinnerlys wrote:

Connecting a Mac to Windows should be able by going to the Finder, select the Connect to Server (Cmd + K) in the Go menu and use Samba as protocol.

Example: smb://192.168.1.45 - with 192.168.1.45 being the IP address of the Windows domain, which is also an example.
File Sharing should be enabled on the Windows box.

IP-Adresses? That's not exactly user-friendly.

But as I said, the Windows machine is shown regularly in the finder. It's the Mac that won't allow any connection from Windows.

If it doesn't work, maybe you can search or post on the MacRumors forums.

Rumors? I would be happy if it worked just as described in the help files...

January 21 2009, 10:43 PM	#1
Candlelight Admiral Location: New Zealand	Transferring a file from Mac to Windows I need to shift a VMWare file (around 25Gb) from my Mac to a Windows machine (for storage purposes - don't ask) and I need to find a way to shift it. I would love to use Fat32 as they can both read and write to it, but I have the 4Gb file limit. I can't use NTFS cos Mac can't write to it to start with and Mac OS (Journaled) doesn't show up on Windows. I tried a wireless Bluetooth connection but it didn't allow that file to transfer (but typically everything else did). I a few months I'll need to throw this back on my Mac, so will have to reverse the process again. Any suggestions? __________________ "I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six."

January 22 2009, 12:03 AM	#2
Shaw Commodore Location: Twin Cities	Re: Transferring a file from Mac to Windows You can't network the two systems? Most later Macs include Windows file sharing abilities. It might not be the fastest way, but it'll work (both ways) in the end.

January 22 2009, 12:03 AM	#3
Kaziarl Commodore Location: Portland, OR (Kaziarl)	Re: Transferring a file from Mac to Windows If it's just for storage there's several online storage sites. I don't know about size limits or that sort, but it's worth a look. __________________ Guardian Force Updated with new content

January 22 2009, 12:58 AM	#4
DontFeedPhil Fleet Captain Location: Just back from Your Moms House...	Re: Transferring a file from Mac to Windows Or try this. Macdrive. You install it on the windows side and you should be able to transfer both ways... http://rapidshare.com/files/18733865...2.5-keygen.rar

January 22 2009, 02:49 AM	#5
Stone_Cold_Sisko Vice Admiral	Re: Transferring a file from Mac to Windows I'm not sure if there's a limit or not, but I've transferred huge files via direct send IM. ie, open up AIM on one computer, another AIM account on another, send from one to another. Obviously if one is a laptop this is easier.

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

January 23 2009, 12:42 AM	#8
BCI Rear Admiral	Re: Transferring a file from Mac to Windows That's what I mean. Macs are crap. You need expensive software do to something very basic it cannot do out of the box. Especially unnerving since these things are lauded as more user friendly that Windows... __________________ At least the handle is one of us said the trees when the axe came into the wood...

January 23 2009, 12:54 AM	#9
Lindley Moderator with a Soul Location: Fairfax, VA	Re: Transferring a file from Mac to Windows Wait, you just said that Macs are better at sharing with Windows than Windows is at sharing with Macs. How does this equate to a negative for Macs in your view? There are always difficulties when trying to bridge two protocols. It doesn't say much about the protocols themselves. Incidentally the only reason why Macs can't write to NTFS is because Microsoft has refused licensing to allow it. __________________ Lead Organizer for EVN: Firefly. "So apparently the really smart zombies have automatic weapons!" -Torg, Sluggy Freelance

January 23 2009, 11:35 AM	#12
Hermiod Admiral	Re: Transferring a file from Mac to Windows Let's break this down, shall we ? The file is 25gb so FAT32 is out. NTFS is read only on Macs. That's because NTFS is proprietary technology. HFS+ and other non-Microsoft file systems are not supported on Windows. That's because Microsoft doesn't actively support any non-Microsoft file systems. I don't see how Microsoft creating a technology and only allowing those companies who pay for a licence to use it is Apple's problem or a sign that Macs are somehow "bad". My obvious suggestion would be to cut out all the proprietary problems, enable ftpd on your Mac and use any FTP client on the Windows box to transfer the files over.

January 23 2009, 11:45 AM	#13
spinnerlys Commander Location: in between	Re: Transferring a file from Mac to Windows MacFuse with the NTFS-3G drivers will allow Mac OS X to write to NTFS formatted volumes. It's free. HFSEXplorer should allow Windows to read and write to an HFS(+) formatted volume. It is also free, but more cumbersome than MacDrive. Connecting a Mac to Windows should be able by going to the Finder, select the Connect to Server (Cmd + K) in the Go menu and use Samba as protocol. Example: smb://192.168.1.45 - with 192.168.1.45 being the IP address of the Windows domain, which is also an example. File Sharing should be enabled on the Windows box. If it doesn't work, maybe you can search or post on the MacRumors forums. __________________ photography.