Transfering files between a Mac and PC

[DVinci]

The last time I used a Mac was about four years ago. I remember when I burnt some files to a CD with it, then ran the CD on a PC, the files lost their extensions, eg: the ".txt" from readme.txt. I think it was a G4 system back then, I can't remember.

Anyway, soon I will be getting a Mini Mac, and I am wondering if the same thing will happen when I burn a CD or move files from the Mac to an external hd (that is Mac-compatible btw) - will the files (incl. the ones already on the hd) lose their extensions, will I get any dodge surprises transfering files between OS', including video files? I don't want to lose data on the hd...

[Ai Haibara]

The PC you were using to test probably had Windows set to hide file extensions for 'known file types.' (.txt does happen to be one of those.) The setting varies between versions of Windows (at least 9X/ME <> 2K/XP, I think.)

I transfer files all the time across the wireless network (using Samba) and using CDs/DVDs between my G3 iBook and various Windows systems in the house (which range from Win98 to XP), with no problems.

(Personally, the 'hide file extensions' settings in Windows is usually one of the first things I turn off, if I have a chance - I don't really see much use for it, but that may be just me.)

[Frobozz]

I agree with the above post. The extensions from Mac files don't normally disappear when files are transferred to a PC.

There are some Mac applications that have a check box in the Save dialog window as to whether or not you want the extension to be added to the File name. Macs work pretty well without the extension but I always choose to include it except for documents that are Mac-only.

In the Get Info window you can choose to have the Mac hide a file's extension if one is present. You also can choose the default application for use with that file and - if you want - for any files with the same creator type. Control-clicking on a file presents a contextual menu that includes "Open with..." which lists all available applications that can open that file type.

[DVinci]

Thanks good, thanks.

[Ai Haibara]

Note, however, that PCs and Windows won't know offhand what to do with a file that actually doesn't have an extension, so if you create a file without an extension and send it to a PC, Windows will complain.

[DVinci]

I just learnt today that to be able to write data to an ext. hd, from a Mac, it needs to be FAT32, not NTFS. If it's NTFS, then data can only be read off it.