Can you totally format a 3tb drive

Using the default cluster size of 4 kB, the maximum NTFS volume size is 16 TB minus 4 kB. (Both of these are vastly higher than the 128 GB limit lifted in Windows XP SP1.) Because partition tables on master boot record (MBR) disks only support partition sizes up to 2 TB, dynamic or GPT volumes must be used to create NTFS volumes over 2 TB. Booting from a GPT volume to a Windows environment requires a system with UEFI and 64-bit support.[64]

from wikipedia.
 
cos backing up would be a painfully slow,, as I have my OS,apps and docs on a 90gb ssd and all my other rubbish on a 640gb hdd. So when I backup my main OS ssd every few weeks, it backs up nice and fast, cos atm Im only 29gb full. My 640gb doesn't change much so dont have to back it up that often.

But thinking about getting a 2 - 3tb drive in the near future to replace my 1tb hdd that stores my shared media around the house as Im almost out of space

image2ljz.jpg


I did think about buying a NAS for my shared hdd, but it would use more power in the long run, as I dont have my pc on 24/7, only when needed, and I got the other computers to turn on my main pc automatically when needed to access my shared drive.
 
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cos backing up would be a painfully slow,, as I have my OS,apps and docs on a 90gb ssd and all my other rubbish on a 640gb hdd. So when I backup my main OS ssd every few weeks, it backs up nice and fast, cos atm Im only 29gb full. My 640gb doesn't change much so dont have to back it up that often.

But thinking about getting a 2 - 3tb drive in the near future to replace my 1tb hdd that stores my shared media around the house as Im almost out of space

image2ljz.jpg


I did think about buying a NAS for my shared hdd, but it would use more power in the long run, as I dont have my pc on 24/7, only when needed, and I got the other computers to turn on my main pc automatically when needed to access my shared drive.

Why backup the whole drive? I backup my photos and code using Dropbox / Flickr, everything else can be reinstalled if required.
 
Why backup the whole drive? I backup my photos and code using Dropbox / Flickr, everything else can be reinstalled if required.

I do that that you say for my storage drive but onto another hdd. But if my OS drive failed, it would take my a few days of reinstalling and getting things back to how they were. But if I back up the whole drive, I can have it back up and running in a matter of minutes of having the replacement drive

Edit: Or I maybe just lazy:eek:
 
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I do that that you say for my storage drive but onto another hdd. But if my OS drive failed, it would take my a few days of reinstalling and getting things back to how they were. But if I back up the whole drive, I can have it back up and running in a matter of minutes of having the replacement drive

Edit: Or I maybe just lazy:eek:

Just speaking from personal experience, but I've only had 1 drive fail since about 1990! The hassle of requiring full/delta backups for me would outweigh the convenience of being able to restore in minutes.
 
Just speaking from personal experience, but I've only had 1 drive fail since about 1990! The hassle of requiring full/delta backups for me would outweigh the convenience of being able to restore in minutes.

Yeah I haven't had any drives fail on me either. but its nice to know if you do, you have no need to wrorry.

Atm I have my shared hdd backed up on a 750gb drive, but once Ive filled the shared hdd passed the 750gb it wont then be backed up anymore. I would buy another 2-3tb hdd when I upgrade my shared hdd, but im not sure:confused:

Do i risk it and dont bother with a backup drive for this shared hdd as 9 out of 10 chances say i will never need it. Or do I spend another £100+ on a backup drive?
 
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