Which HDD format ?

Ry@n · 11 Jul 2008 at 14:49

I have a 1TB external hdd now to backup stuff and it has come pre-formatted as FAT32.

I would like both OSX and XP to be able to read and write to it with no issues at all. Is FAT32 my only option ?

Also, if i have to use FAT32, what are the disadvantages apart from the maximum file size of 4GB?

Thanks

iraiguana · 11 Jul 2008 at 15:38

FAT32 is your only option in my understanding and the max file size is the only problem I hear about it.

platypus · 11 Jul 2008 at 15:48

Well, FAT32 is not a journalled file system and shouldn't be used for storing anything important as your data is at greater risk.

Then theres more wasted space per stored data with the FAT system, although the improvement in cluster size with FAT32 means less is wasted then previous versions.

Other then that, watch out for the 8TB maximum partition size..

Rambaud · 12 Jul 2008 at 11:41

iraiguana said:
FAT32 is your only option in my understanding and the max file size is the only problem I hear about it.

NTFS is an option (I use it), but you need MacFuse and the NTFS-3G driver.

This allows read & write to NTFS drives.

Ry@n · 12 Jul 2008 at 11:48

Rambaud said:
NTFS is an option (I use it), but you need MacFuse and the NTFS-3G driver.

This allows read & write to NTFS drives.

Thanks, but is this a reliable method ? Can anyone use it hassle free?

Sounds like NTFS is a possibility afterall.

Rambaud · 12 Jul 2008 at 13:33

Not had any problems with it.

You need to remember to "remove" the drive before exiting Windows.