Temporarily accessing my mini's media files on a pc

[gibmini]

Hi all,

Not sure where to post this, but I'll try here:

For various tedious reasons that I won't bore you with, I have to go away from my apple-only home environment for a couple of weeks. I will have only access to a windows7 laptop and a vista desktop machine (yes, I know, it sucks). I was wondering if I could bring along one of my harddrives I store movies on (that I watch normally via the mini or my atv) and plug it into the w7 or vista machine and watch them on itunes on the pc?

I will have a slow, broadband connection, and need a simple way to get through the next couple of weeks watching my movies. When I return home, I will simply plug the harddrive back into my, by then, much missed mini.

Any advice is most welcome.

GM
_________________
Loving my mini's, hating what Apple has become.

iPhone 4S
2.3GHz latest gen macbook pro, 2.4GHz latest gen Mini, 1.83GHz Mini, 2.0GHz Macbook
160Gb 1st gen ATV & 2nd gen ATV
1 of every gen of Nano
iPhone 4S
30" apple cinema display

[Cypher]

What format is the Hard drive using ?

Windows will prefer to use FAT32 or NTFS
The Mac will prefer Mac OS Extended Journaled (HFS+) or FAT32

So ideally you'd be looking at FAT32 to be totally compatible with both systems.

You can also add some third party apps to Windows to allow it to be able to see Mac volumes.
_________________
Phil

Mac Mini 2.53GHz - iMac 2.0Ghz - Macbook Pro 2.4GHz - iPad 1 32GB 3G
6TB Netgear Ready NAS NV+ - 6TB Drobo S

[Cypher]

BTW As its a mini your using can you not take the mini with you ?
_________________
Phil

Mac Mini 2.53GHz - iMac 2.0Ghz - Macbook Pro 2.4GHz - iPad 1 32GB 3G
6TB Netgear Ready NAS NV+ - 6TB Drobo S

[gibmini]

HFS as i never intended to use them with a pc.

I'd love to take my mini along, but I can't sadly as it is required by my other half while I am away.

What are the apps you mention that woudl enable me to use the drive with a pc?

Thanks for your help!
_________________
Loving my mini's, hating what Apple has become.

iPhone 4S
2.3GHz latest gen macbook pro, 2.4GHz latest gen Mini, 1.83GHz Mini, 2.0GHz Macbook
160Gb 1st gen ATV & 2nd gen ATV
1 of every gen of Nano
iPhone 4S
30" apple cinema display

[Cypher]

Macdrive - http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive/
HFS+ for Windows - http://www.paragon-software.com/home/hfs-windows/

there is also a Free option
HFSExplorer - http://hem.bredband.net/catacombae/hfsx.html

there are probably others as well.

I've never tried any of these so I can't give you any opinions on which is best to try
_________________
Phil

Mac Mini 2.53GHz - iMac 2.0Ghz - Macbook Pro 2.4GHz - iPad 1 32GB 3G
6TB Netgear Ready NAS NV+ - 6TB Drobo S