seeing mac files in windows xp

[batemantech]

I have a customer with a portable hard drive that failed on their pc and has mac files on it needing saved. I can see the hard drive in xp under disk management but not under my computer. I know if my system is ntfs and not fat32 and probably why I am not seeing the files. Is there another way of doing this or software to use without converting my drive to fat 32 or do I need to hook it up to a fat32 system. I know hook it up to another mac system but dont have one. Thanks for any help

[seedubya]

Your filesystem makes absolutely no difference. It's the filesystem of the portable drive that's important and whether or not your OS can read that. Since the drive seems to have been used previously on both a PC and a Mac then it was probably FAT32. Therefore, the most likely reason you can't see it is that the drive's partition is hosed. You'll probably need to run some kind of partition/data recovery software on it.

"The following is not intended to constitute flaming".

This is really basic tech. stuff. I wouldn't hire a tech if he didn't know how to do this. If you know this little about it perhaps you should hire a tech rather than put this person's files at risk through inexperience?

[batemantech]

I havent done anything with the drive just plugged it in to see what was up. I knew the girl only used mac so thats what made me think about the file systems. Thanks pyramid for your help.

Seedubya no matter what ya say to me it is still a flame cause you are saying something negative about me asking for help and for that this board can go screw itself cause Im tired of the ego maniacal people that think they can bash people cause you may know more than others. I dont down your or anyone else around here I just come on here for help.

I will find another board that is understanding of techs learning in the field and promote their site.

And for any other flamers that want to jump on this go ahead cause myself and others on here that you bash are ones taking your jobs and I will undercut people all day long like you just to take your business. I gain customers cause I get the job done and treat my customer with respect and from the way I see some people act on here you can tell they treat their customer the same way and thats why you are losing business.

Thanks for ruining a helpful board like this. PEACE OUT!

[seedubya]

Batemantech. That's a genuine piece of advice. I'd be interested to know how you would tell me phrase that so that you didn't perceive it as flaming and still get my message across. You don't even operate on the same continent as me. I really don't care what you do to be honest. However, you asked for advice. My advice is get someone who knows a bit about data recovery to do this job. Data recovery should not be learned at someone else's expense. Stick to fixing other stuff until you learn how to do it.

[angry_geek]

You know I have helped you out in the past without flaming or attacking you. No one did that to you on this thread. You simply came out of left field with that one. I don't worry about you or anyone else undercutting me or taking business. The reason is because of this thread. You're attempting to do something you have no idea how to do. Instead of looking for someone who does know, you're going to put your customer's data at risk. Eventually, this kind of business practice will catch up to you. You'll be sued, or the bad word of mouth will put you into a category in your area with shady roofers and mechanics. You may still be around, but you'll be considered a joke in your town. Good luck to you in your endeavors. Your ego has caused you to move from my friends list to my ignore list. "You are the weakest link! Good bye.";)

[batemantech]

I am going to man up and apologize to all I offended. It was a bad day and it rubbed me the wrong way. I admit I talked out my a** on that. As for the undercutting that was the one thing I could say that would be a defense for me. To all the pros I know you are running a business and this has been your life for a long time. I am a tech who is still learning. In my town there are only 2 of us and he doesnt have as much skills and is also not a people person and that is where I am different as far as customer service.

I do want to make something clear. I do not do any changes or fixes to a customer computer unless I have done it on one of my test pcs and I know how to do it. As for this customer I have not touched anything except just to plug to see if I can read the files that is all.

I am a tech who is still learning. I do know quite a bit but then again I dont know quite a bit and that is why I come on here.

Again sorry to anyone I offended.

[seedubya]

Dude, everyone has bad days. Hope tomorrow's better.

[batemantech]

Thanks and I do understand where you are coming from as far as customers and their equipment. By the way I was able to recover the data. Thanks for all your help and again sorry for the mishap.