# PC to Mac data CDs

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-mac-data-cds/153489>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 7, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-mac-data-cds/153489 "2003-02-07T16:32:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-mac-data-cds/153489/1 "2003-02-07T16:32:56Z")

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I have to transfer data (specifically an eps file) from a PC where it was created to a Mac on a CD. So far I have had no luck burning a CD which can be read by a Mac. Would some gentle Doper please take pity on a man who has reached the outer limits of his computer literacy and explain what I’m doing wrong?

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**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-mac-data-cds/153489/2 "2003-02-07T17:06:34Z")

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Macs _should_ be able to read any PC data CD. I’m going to guess that the Mac you’re using is not on OSX, but still in OS9 or less. If I’m correct, open up the Mac’s Extension Manager control panel. Then make sure the files “Foreign File Access” and “ISO 9660 File Access” are selected, then reboot the computer. Should work then.

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**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-mac-data-cds/153489/3 "2003-02-07T17:33:02Z")

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From the [CDR FAQ](http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq03.html#S3-35).

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**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-mac-data-cds/153489/4 "2003-02-07T17:48:21Z")

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The mac needs Joilet file access

[http://www.tempel.org/joilet/](http://www.tempel.org/joilet/)

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**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-mac-data-cds/153489/5 "2003-02-08T06:50:28Z")

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Even without the Joliet extension, the Mac should mount the CD and display its files (albeit with foreshortened file names).

Be wary of using CD-RW media on the PC (use CD-R instead) because CD-RW is glitchier about being universally accessible; do not use any of the proprietary formats that let you drag files to the CD and burn them in a series of separate “sessions” (these are not ver compatible either). Burn a CD all in one shot, specifically as an ISO-9660 formatted data CD.