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[12345]

The problem is you are using a mac to try and write to an NTFS file system.  Natively, macs have read only access to this drive format.  You can get a driver, however, that can enable read/write access at this website.  http://www.ntfs-3g.org/

[usmcc2000]

I have solved this problem.  I am using vista and when looking at the properties for the drive, it lists many users on the security/permissions tab.  I deleted them all, and then added "full access" permissions to the "Everybody" user.  I did this at home last night and am now at working accessing all my files with full access.

Hope this help.

[BartyJnr]

Its a bit more difficult when you bought a mac because the PC you had was broken!!! 

[wirenaught · Accepted solution]

get an administrator CMD prompt

type "diskpart" 

type "list volume" 

type "select volume x" where x is the locked drive

type "attributes disk" - see if readonly 

  if true, type "attributes disk clear readonly" 

type "attributes volume" - see if readonly 

  if true, type "attributes volume clear readonly"

I didn't have to reboot or anything and it worked for me.

[dianalward]

Thanks for this, it saved my bacon.

[VivienneTrancy]

Hi, I had the exact same probem when i first stared using this drive and fixed it by erasing completely with disk utitlity and reformatting. It was a complete pain in the **bleep**, not to mention that the drive disconnects every time I just accidnetally nudge it while its connected to my USB port. gosh darn. Now suddenly it became completely read-only and I cant even over ride it with terminal's sudo chmod or -R or anything, I even tried Batchmod and FileXaminer. This Seragate goflex 500gb is a piece of crud thats really getting me very fustrated. Expecially becasue I found that one of my very important folders (at least 2GB) has been lost/corrupted beyond help. VERY FUSTRATED. Not only that, 2 of my picture folders are also unrecoverable. Very tempted to use the F word here. Dont buy this product.

[Cantbecanit]

Look in the drives security tab and make sure you have the correct permissions. Viv.

[tommie-b]

I had the same issue. wheter on pc or mac... Great read, thanks for all the info guys.

[deliberations]

I'm sorry, but how do you "get an administrator CMD prompt"? I opened a Terminal window, but it said command not found in response to typing what you suggested, so I don't think I'm in the right program or something. I only have one account for logging in, so I assume it's the admin account.

[deliberations]

After trying some of the easier fixes that worked for some people, the only thing I found that worked was:

• Move the data on the drive to another drive for now
• Go into Disk Utilities and follow instructions here to erase and then reformat in Mac format http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=1075
• Disk is now read/write, and I'm moving the files back over

Still never buying Seagate again. I never used this drive on anything but a Mac. It worked fine several times, then suddenly it was read only. I'm just hoping it won't do that again. Either this drive is Mac compatible or it's not, and I don't think needing to be reformatted in the Mac format really qualifies as "compatible." At the very least, this should all be explained on the packaging so you know what you're getting into when you decide to buy it.