How to Use a Mac HD in a PC
Both Mac and PC computers use the same type of hard drives, although each computer uses a different format. You can use a Mac hard drive in a PC once a Mac drive program has been installed on the PC's operating system. There are a few of these programs commercially available for the PC. Once installed into the PC's operating system, the Mac HD can be accessed as if it was a PC hard drive.
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Instructions
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1
Hold the Mac HD in one hand with the back facing you. Using the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver, push the white switch on the back of the Mac HD to the "Slave" position.
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2
Unplug the power cord from the PC desktop or tower. Remove the screws from the side panel or the back panel with the Phillips screwdriver. Place the side panel or the back panel aside.
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3
Remove the two screws at the side of an empty hard drive bay with the Phillips screwdriver. Pull the hard drive tray from the empty hard drive bay.
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Remove the screws from the sides of the hard drive tray with the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver. Slide the Mac HD into the slot of the hard drive tray with the connectors facing outward. Attach the screws to the sides of the hard drive tray with the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver.
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5
Pull the two plugs out of the empty drive bay with your fingers. Attach the two plugs to the appropriate connectors on the back of the Mac HD. Push the hard drive tray back into the hard drive bay. Reattach the two screws.
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Place the side panel or the back panel on the PC desktop or tower. Reattach the screws. Plug the power cord back in.
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Turn on the PC. Wait for the desktop to appear. Download a Mac drive program to the PC's desktop, for example the MacDrive 8 program (see Resources).
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Double-click on the file once it has downloaded. Follow the menu commands to install the program into the computer's operating system. Restart the PC after the installation is done.
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Go to "start," "My Computer," "Devices." Click on the icon of the Mac HD that is in the left column of the window that has appeared on the screen.
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Select a file to view from the list presented in the column to the right or drag a file from out of the window onto the desktop to copy it to the PC's hard drive.
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Tips & Warnings
You can format the Mac HD to be fully compatible with a PC, but all of the data on it will be lost.
An anti-static strap worn on the wrist will keep static electricity from damaging the exposed connectors of the Mac HD during installation.
Mac programs on the Mac HD will not run on a PC.
