Need tech help formatting new HDD for both Mac and Windows

krank · Post by **krank** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:45 pm

As far as I can tell, if I want to both read and write from my external HDD when using both OSX and Windows, I need to either format as FAT32 or buy MacDrive for Windows or a similar application for OSX.

First question: are there any cons of having a 250 GB external drive formatted as FAT32? I know Windows can't do the formatting, but the drive's own software should be able to.

bgc · Post by **bgc** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:09 pm

I dont' think Fat32 will work with partition sizes over 4GB.

You might try using the NTFS file system, and installing this on your Mac:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifeha ... -os-x.html

I had this in place and it seemed to be working fine, had two partitions on my external, one HFS and one NTFS. I could mount both filesystems on the Mac.

misteron · Post by **misteron** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:12 pm

FAT32 partitions must be under 32 GB in size.
So such a hard drive would end uo with lots of partitions.
That's not the best use of your space and can be awkward if, say, a library alone is over 32 GB, as is often the case.

So yeah, MacDrive or similar is prob best option

ewistrand · Post by **ewistrand** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:20 pm

Actually, they can be larger than 32 GB. The maximum under 98/SE/ME was 127 GB. The max file size is 4 GB.

The maximum for w2k and later's 32 GB- true. That's a MS imposed restriction, however...theoretically, the max is 8 TB.

http://www.pandorarecovery.com/knowledg ... /fat32.php

ew

misteron · Post by **misteron** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:24 pm

ewistrand wrote:That's a MS imposed restriction, however...theoretically, the max is 8 TB.

Waow... very interesting.
So in OS X it would be possible to create and use a FAT32 partition of say, 300 GB and read from it and write to it?
So what would happen if that partition was then viewed from xp (on bootcamp)?
Would Xp simply not recognise it ie it wouldn't show up in MyComputer?
Or...?

MartinOM28V · Post by **MartinOM28V** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:41 am

You shouldn't need to buy anything extra if you have OSX Leopard. Just set up the HDD using BootCamp and follow the instructions. You'll end up with two partitions, one for OSX and the other for Windows. The only caveat is the "foreign" drive will still show up but it may say "Unknown Volume" or something like that--just know that thats the other OS and don't delete it or mess with it.

fishmonkey · Post by **fishmonkey** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:55 am

MartinOM28V wrote:You shouldn't need to buy anything extra if you have OSX Leopard.

the OP was talking about an external drive, which is another matter entirely...

Saxer · Post by **Saxer** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:18 am

fat32 is ok to backup things under OSX or to swap between mac and pc, but makes problems on mac for HD-recording. for the daily use you should have a special HD which is formated to Mac OS extended oder Mac OS extended (journaled).

Lo-Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo-Fi Massahkah** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:53 am

Hi Krank,

You can format your drive to Fat32 from OSX for example. You can do one 250gig partition - no problem.

Apart from Fat32 being slower than NTSF or Mac OS Extended, I don't think you'll have any problems.

.m

krank · Post by **krank** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:17 am

Lo-Fi Massahkah wrote:Hi Krank,

You can format your drive to Fat32 from OSX for example. You can do one 250gig partition - no problem.

Apart from Fat32 being slower than NTSF or Mac OS Extended, I don't think you'll have any problems.

.m

Okay, thanks a lot.

But just *how* much slower is it, compared to using NFTS with MacDrive? Or this one (working the opposite way): http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/

What would you do?

It's also of some relevance as to whether or not to format the Windows partition on my new MacBook as FAT32 or NFTS. I take it the FAT32 limit is still 32GB when installing Windows with Bootcamp?

Lo-Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo-Fi Massahkah** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:40 am

I formated my external as Fat32. But that was just used for transfer between systems and backup. I don't like installing apps running in the background that's why I went with the Fat32.

Does the app make it possible to both read & write?

.m

krank · Post by **krank** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:03 pm

Lo-Fi Massahkah wrote:I formated my external as Fat32. But that was just used for transfer between systems and backup. I don't like installing apps running in the background that's why I went with the Fat32.

Does the app make it possible to both read & write?

.m

Yes, both the above mentioned apps should enable read/write.

Stability is actually my main concern, not speed. I've had a ton of problems with my earlier Bottcamp'd Windows install, maybe it had to do with it being FAT32. On the other hand, I agree it's not ideal to have to rely on a third party application for basic file management.