Transferring a file from Mac to Windows

[Candlelight]

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]

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]

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]

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

http://rapidshare.com/files/187338659/MacDrive7.2.5-keygen.rar

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

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]

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]

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

http://rapidshare.com/files/187338659/MacDrive7.2.5-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]

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]

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.

 

[Amaris]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

Let's break this down, shall we ?

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

 

[BCI]

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...

 

[Hermiod]

^He suggested MacRumours' forums because they have a large number of expert Mac users who will be able to help you. Nothing to do with the main content of the site.

 

[BCI]

I'm checking it out. I do like a good puzzle from time to time, but mostly the computer is supposed to work and not to prevent me from working.

 

[spinnerlys]

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.

Have you enabled File Sharing in the Sharing Preference Pane?
And did you tried it with AFP or SMB + Mac IP in Explorer's address bar?

IPs might be not as user friendly, but it works, and it is even described in the File Sharing section of Mac OS X's Sharing Preference Pane.

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

MacRumours has quite a large community, and help can be given in less than a minute sometimes. Faster than this board, except Lost or Battlestar Galactica is on of course.

 

[Rii]

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

Like OSX?

 

[Lindley]

A quick search through Mac Help says you need to turn on an "SMB" option in File Sharing. Have you done this?

And incidentally, I'd interpret an ability to connect on one side but not the other as a plus for the side that *can* connect. Hence my previous statement. It's equally valid to put the onus on the sharing side, I suppose, but it just seems easier to listen for multiple protocols than to advertise on multiple protocols.