Windows Vista How do I read a CD that has a MFS+ format

How do I read a CD that has been formated for both MAC and WINDOWS with a HFS+ format. This particular CD is the Turbotax 2009 CD with is suppose to be able to be read on MAC and Windows. Apparently, windows does not have native support for reading the HFS formatted CD's.


I can read it on my Vista 64-bit but not any of my Vist 32-bit machines.

I have seen somesfoteware packages for around $50 that claim to do the job. But it does not seem like I should have to put out $50 to do that. Especially, when my Vista 64-bit machine read it just fine.

 

You might want to check this web site:
http://www.macrumors.com/2009/05/06/snow-leopards-boot-camp-includes-hfs-windows-drivers/

It may be what you are looking for.

Also I think that Magic ISO will convert HFS format to ISO format so it can be read on Windows.

 

SP3851, thanks for the reply.

But I am confused as to why it is only the VISTA 32-bit OS that won't read the MAC&Win formatted drive. Neither my brother's Vista 32-bit nor my Vista 32-bit will read the HFS+ formatted CD.

I recently re-install Window XP PRO on a laptop and have not added applications as yet. It reads the HFS+ formatted disk with no problems.

My VISTA 64-bit Reads the HFS+ formatted drive as well. However, I have an ISOburner software package installed on that machine.

Is it possible Windows VISTA 32-bit has a problem or did they deliberately drop the HFS+ support out of Windows.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Kermit

 

Kermitp,

You may want to read this web site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HFS_Plus

It give some insight on HFS+ format

 

Thanks again, for responsing on my situation. The information is very helpful in understanding the format.

I understand what the HFS+ format is and I realize that by using it media producers can reduce their cost. They only have to create single formatted disk rather than 2 disk. I'm all for it. Would be great if the industry could actually have some standards and not have vendors creating their own.

By the way, I spent years working on standards committes in the computer industry and in spite of our efforts. Vendors go off the standards because it gives them a marketing edge. That's if you are big enough like Apple, IBM and Microsoft.

As usual there are a lot of people out there profiting from this situation by selling $50 software.

Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox and just say thanks for helping. Your responses have been usual and I do appreciate them. However, I am still at a loss to explain why the VISTA 32-bit system seems to be the only Microsoft system product that won't read the HFS+ disk. Apparently, there is a particular driver that is missing from the VISTA 32-bit system. I just have not been able to find it.



Kermit

 

because vendors create daul mode CD to ship their products

This is the exact attitude that makes it so difficult for creating user friendily products.
The answer to your question is:

Because vendors are creating their product CDs in the HFS+ format for MAC and Windows systems. More and more vendors seem to be taking this approach because it saves them money.

I read the article in Wikipedia. I tried the HFSExplorer and it failed to install properly.

I'd still like an answer as to why VISTA 32-bit seems to be the only Windows OS that does not support the HFS+ format.

By the way, I got it working by installing an ISOburner software package. It is available at
http://www.soft82.com/download/Windows/IsoBuster