Backing up to NTFS partitioned USB

**RugbyPete** · 02-09-2011 12:11 PM

ok, so Im moving from windows, with NTFS.

I have backed all my data up to NTFS usb external drive (required for 4gb+ files)

I need to get my dat OFF this drive, onto my mac OS data drive

currently its READ only in OSX.

I want to copy it to my OSX drive BUT i want to keep a copy on my usb drive in case I find in the future the transfer was corrupt.

The problem comes when I want to backup to the USB drive along side my ntfs backup, I cant write to it with Time machine, LaCie, super Duper.

What is the wrokaround? Can I use my windows App to shrink the ntfs and install a new partion to backup to? will OSX backups mind this?

I dont want to delete my drive and handover the whole usb drive to Time machine etc.

**Olethros** · 02-09-2011 12:36 PM

The cheapest way to do this is to boot a linux dvd which includes ntfsresize - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia or GParted - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**RugbyPete** · 02-09-2011 12:48 PM

So, Mac backup programs wont need my whole drive? They can use just a partition on a usb drive?

If so, i can shrink it with partition wizard in windows.

One problem - how do I create the new Journaled osx partitions - DiskUtility is read only as the drive was created by windows - I need a mac partition on my local hard drive too (for my new data drive) so this would be useful.

**Olethros** · 02-09-2011 01:10 PM

Ahh.. you may have a difficulty because the partition table is likely MBR, disk utility probably wants GPT

Again, several linux utilities might help you.

GPT fdisk | Download GPT fdisk software for free at SourceForge.net
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=62984

Just a warning, the risk of getting this wrong is simply that you lose your data.

**RugbyPete** · 02-09-2011 01:22 PM

I think, as im not familiar with those tools, I copy my data to a windows box, create the partitions on the mac, copy it back.

**RugbyPete** · 02-09-2011 06:59 PM

What do you recommend I use to create the data drives on my MBR created disc? OSX instaall made one somehow?
Hmm, in fact I might have made the original one with Ubuntu as linux was on there.. could possibly do that

**Olethros** · 02-11-2011 08:14 AM

Use Disk utility to partition the drive, it includes an option to switch from MBR to GPT.

Unless you need to access your data on an ancient windows system, forget MBR. GPT is the future.