HFS+ For Windows 9.0 not read Mac ext HDD

[djjohnnie]

I own PC based laptop with Windows Vista OS. A few days ago I installed the trial version of HFS+ For Windows 9.0 to be able to read an external hard disc drive formatted for Mac OS. At first it worked great. I was able to transfer files into the ext HDD. But when I shut down my laptop, I can no longer read the Mac ext hdd after boot up. I see the drive letter in "My Computer", but when I try to access it, I get a message, "You need to format the disc drive G: before you can use it. Do you want to format it?" Note, I assigned it a G drive during one of my troubleshooting steps. Also, when I right click and view "Properties", the used space and free space are both at 0. In the Disk Management window, I see the drive as RAW, Healthy (Primary Partition) with the right drive capacity. Before the problem, the drive can be seen as HFS. I can't figure out why it changed from HFS to RAW after reboot. I decided to purchase the product to get the "Full Version", but this didn't make a difference. Can someone please help me so my pc to recognize the Mac ext hdd without having to reformat? Thanks.

I just read a post by Me_E with the same problem. I've contacted Paragon support, and awaiting reply.

[chironx]

I had a similar but not so bad experience. I have a macbook pro with OSX and Windows XP on it. I installed HFS+ so I could access the mac partition from windows. When first installed, Paragon worked fine but after shutting down and restarting in Windows, I couldn't access the mac drive and was asked if I wanted to format the drive. I could still boot into Mac though so I'm guessing your Mac drive is probably ok but you just can't read it from windows anymore.
Have you tried uninstalling Paragon and trying another driver?

My problem now is that after uninstalling Paragon, if I look at my mac drive from windows, explorer keeps refreshing the view about once a second so I can't access the files (I used to be able to read them before installing Paragon).

[djjohnnie]

chironx, our problem is the same. I uninstalled/installed the trial version a couple of times, but that didn't work. When I decided to pay for the software, I downloaded the "newer" version and I tried to install that a couple of times as well. I finally contacted Paragon support and got this reply:

Could you please clarify what is the partitioning scheme of the drive GPT, MBR or APM?

The issue you are describing should have been fixed with the latest build of the driver. Please follow the steps below to fix the problem:
1. Uninstall Paragon HFS+ for Windows using Control Panel - Programs and Features - Uninstall
2. Reboot your computer.
3. Download and install the latest version of the driver from the following link:
http://ftp.paragon.eu.com/support/hf...unreleased.msi

Product Key:
Serial Number:

4. Reboot your computer.

Can't figure why the new download link is different from the normal download. I was given a new product key and s/n which I will not display for obvious reasons. I have no idea what partitioning scheme I have. All I know is that it was formatted as Mac OS (Extended Journal). After following the above instructions, it still didn't work. It's been 3 days when I sent my reply, and I still haven't gotten any answer back from Paragon. I tried to phone, but it requires that you have a "paid" support? Very frustrated right now.

Hey chronix, how did you format the drive & what's your partitioning scheme?

[Mech_An]

@ djjohnnie and chironx

Could you please upload backup of Windows registry to the Paragon FTP server using credentials from private message?

To backup registry:
* Go to Start, type "cmd"
* once CMD.exe appears in upper pane , right-click it ans select Run as Administrator
* in Command prompt type:
regedit /E c:\<desired_name>.reg
* find *.reg file in C:\ , zipp it and upload to FTP.

Otherwise you can contact Paragon Support Team directly: https://www.paragon-software.com/my-...endRequest.htm

[djjohnnie]

@Mech_An... done!
Uploaded to my original Support Request Ticket ID #3149400

[Mech_An]

@ djjohnnie,
Thanks. I've "pushed" your request

[djjohnnie]

I don't have a Macbook, so I had to ask a friend to help me. I found my Partitioning Map Scheme is GUID Partition Table. Under First Aid, the Drive was "Verified", and "Repaired". Only then was I able to read the drive in my windows computer. But after shutdown, the Mac drive is got corrupted as berfore. I'm afraid the only way I can read this drive again is to "Repair" under "First Aid" using a Mac. So I made a suggestion to Paragon Support that it may be useful to add a "Repair" option in the HFS+ for Windows.

Here's the latest reply from support:
"Thank you for information. We are trying to figure out the reason for corruption ourselves so I will definitely keep you updated on the implemented imrovements as soon as we will be able to offer any."

And I will post here as soon as I hear anything new. Meantime, purchase HFS+ For Windows at your own risk unless you have a Mac to repair any errors!

[djjohnnie]

Paragon had me download a repair program that I could not run. It seems Paragon has no fix for this problem. I decided to download a trial version of Macdrive 9 from Mediafour. Wouldn't you know it, it works flawlessly! My PC laptop can fully read mac formatted external HDD without issues. I can dismount and mount the drive without errors. Their quick start window even has options like creating/formatting mac discs and disk repair among other things. The bad part is it is more expensive than Paragon. Oh well, at least it works. Come on Paragon fix your software!

[ktjensen]

Originally Posted by djjohnnie

Paragon had me download a repair program that I could not run. It seems Paragon has no fix for this problem. I decided to download a trial version of Macdrive 9 from Mediafour. Wouldn't you know it, it works flawlessly! My PC laptop can fully read mac formatted external HDD without issues. I can dismount and mount the drive without errors. Their quick start window even has options like creating/formatting mac discs and disk repair among other things. The bad part is it is more expensive than Paragon. Oh well, at least it works. Come on Paragon fix your software!

Is this now fixed? Just bought this application, but am experiencing the same problems that others have experienced.

[djjohnnie]

Originally Posted by ktjensen

Is this now fixed? Just bought this application, but am experiencing the same problems that others have experienced.

No, it still doesn't work. I ended up purchasing MacDrive 9 by MediaFour (http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive). It is more expensive, but at least it works.

[ktjensen]

Originally Posted by djjohnnie

No, it still doesn't work. I ended up purchasing MacDrive 9 by MediaFour (http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive). It is more expensive, but at least it works.

After doing some reading about MACDRIVE have seen less complaints. But still there are complaints about drive connection failures.


Am rethinking this direction and considering alternatives.