Skip to main content

Model A1181: 1.83, 2, 2.1, 2.13, 2.16, 2.2, or 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

1203 Questions View all

Formatting a drive for a Dell using my MacBook?

Ok, a friend of mine who is even less technically savy than I am asked me to help her install a new hard drive on her Dell Dimensions 4600 Desktop. Being that her Dell wont boot into her old drive, which is completely useless by the way, I was wondering if I can use my MacBook to format her new drive? If so, how should i proceed? If that isnt possible, how can I format the new drive using her Dell?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Score -1
Add a comment

2 Answers

Chosen Solution

I would try using an external disk enclosure to connect it to the MacBook, since the dimension 4600 uses 3.5" IDE or SATA Drives (we used to have a Dimension 4600) then use Disk Utility to format it in the FAT, or NTFS filesystems. (Depending on what you want to do with it, FAT is more mac-compatible, but doesn't support files above 4GB in size, and NTFS is faster and supports larger files, but in Mac OS X it's read-only)

Was this answer helpful?

Score 2

5 Comments:

Thanx Chris. Well, the Machine is in her business and it's only for Windows use. Can u Explain a litle bit further what I would have to do.

by

I mean as far as installing The OS on the drive.

by

Go with NTFS, FAT is older and with limitations, although NTFS is read-only for Mac's, there are ways to enable read/write capabilities.

by

Once you format the drive, you can put it in the computer and boot of of the operating system CD. You may want to go into the computer's BIOS and turn on "OS Install Mode" I've never used it, but it probably makes it easier to install the OS in some way. Once the computer boots into the OS install menu, it will guide you to what you want to do.

Also, I wouldn't recommend putting Windows 7 or Vista on it. I ran windows 7 on ours for about a week, before realizing that it was way to slow. Even with 1.5GB of RAM, and a 2.8Ghz P4, it wouldn't run fast at all.

by

Also, the OS install disk can format the drive too, you might not even need to format it on the MacBook

by

Add a comment

Here is a link to a Microsoft site on installing operating systems. Hope it helps. Ralph

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windo...

Was this answer helpful?

Score 1

1 Comment:

Thanks Ralph.

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Majesty will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 421