I tried to move a large file (larger than 4.7GB) from Mac OS to Vista. It was so painful that I just gave up.
Attempt: Burn file to a dual-layer DVD.
Problem: My MacBook only has a single-layer DVD burner.
Attempt: Mount a NTFS-formatted USB drive to Mac and copy the file directly.
Problem: Mac OS cannot write to NTFS.
Attempt: Format the USB drive to FAT32.
Problem: FAT32 does not support files larger than 4GB.
Attempt: Format the USB drive to HFS+.
Problem: Vista does not read HFS+. MacDrive trial failed to install, throwing “MacDrive 7 Setup could not be completed because an error occurred.”
Attempt: Copy the file over network file sharing.
Problem: Slow. Would have taken 6+ hours over WiFi.
Idea: Break the big file into smaller pieces, using a cross-platform protocol like RAR.
Problem: Laziness.
I know there are other solutions that might work, for example 1) use an external DL DVD burner, 2) connect the computers using wired networking, or 3) toss the MacBook into the dumpster. Sadly I am missing either the required computer peripherals or the guts to throw away $1000.
Posted by motor98 on January 31, 2008 at 8:32 pm
It’s easy. Using an USB harddisk, you should be able to do it.
1. make a linux live CD.
2. boot the live CD in PC, format the usb disk into ext3 file system.
3. insert the usb disk into mac, mac should be able to mount it. Last time I tried it on 10.4.3 and it worked.
4. copy the big file to usb disk.
5. boot the live CD in PC, and mount the ntfs disks, also attach the usb disk.
6. copy usb disk content to ntfs.
It has to be an ntfs file system, otherwise it can’t go beyond 4.7G either.
Posted by Gadget Dude on January 31, 2008 at 10:39 pm
That’s a nice way to move files around. Funny how we must bring Linux into the picture.
Actually, do you have an external DL DVD burner I can borrow? This would solve all problems.
Posted by motor98 on February 1, 2008 at 11:57 pm
惭愧，don’t even have a single layer external one.
Posted by Gadget Dude on February 2, 2008 at 12:21 am
哎，怎么朋友都靠不住呢？
Posted by steve on August 25, 2008 at 8:56 am
could have used ‘paragon ntfs for mac’ or Macdrive 7
Posted by Gadget Dude on August 25, 2008 at 12:28 pm
At the time I didn’t feel like paying for a product that I was only going to use once.
Posted by steve on September 8, 2008 at 6:31 am
i recently purchased a 32gb usb stick for stuff like this, it was £20 from hong kong, im still not sure how useful its going to be haha.
Posted by Gadget Dude on September 8, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I have since sold the MacBook, so no more cross os pain for me.