Western Digital and formatting

melow71 · melow71 #1 (**permalink**)

07-10-2008, 07:28 PM

I just bought a WD and I want format it for my mac, but I want it to remain compatible for windows, is there a way to keep it compatible for both at the same time, or will I have to switch back and forth? Also, which option do i choose, macos extended, or macosjournaled?? a bit confused..

thnks all..

Noels · Noels #2 (**permalink**)

07-10-2008, 09:00 PM

melow71,

Depends on what you want to use it for... FAT32 can be read and written to by Mac. But if you want to use the drive for backup, you'll have to format it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Maybe partition it 50/50 (or whatever) and you can use part for backup and part for Windows.

Noel

Eric559 · Eric559 #3 (**permalink**)

07-10-2008, 09:22 PM

If you find out a way to partition it 50/50 please let me know. I've tried with Disk Utility on my WD passport essential but I couldn't do it.

Noels · Noels #4 (**permalink**)

07-12-2008, 10:03 PM

Eric,

You mean partitioning the external into 2 partitions doesn't end up with roughly 50-50? How does it end up? My externals are both single partitions.

Noel

jah · jah #5 (**permalink**)

07-13-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melow71

I just bought a WD and I want format it for my mac, but I want it to remain compatible for windows, is there a way to keep it compatible for both at the same time

format it in hfs+ and there is a windows app you can buy to read this drive in microsoft xp/vista. search this forum for the software.

melow71 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 30, 2007 Posts: 219 Mac Specs: MBP 2.33ghz 2 Gb RAM 160GB 17" Glossy...	07-10-2008, 07:28 PM I just bought a WD and I want format it for my mac, but I want it to remain compatible for windows, is there a way to keep it compatible for both at the same time, or will I have to switch back and forth? Also, which option do i choose, macos extended, or macosjournaled?? a bit confused.. thnks all.. -Griffey Jr ...the sweetest swing there ever was.
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fat 32 formatting: Does it Make a Difference?	whispershadow	Other Hardware and Peripherals	4	03-01-2008 09:01 AM
formatting hard drive problems	shelflife19	OS X - Operating System	0	11-07-2007 11:27 AM
Formatting WD HD ???	Shane Canon	Apple Desktops	2	05-08-2007 11:39 AM
Re formatting external drive	Kevriano	Other Hardware and Peripherals	2	08-21-2006 12:52 PM

Western Digital and formatting

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

Noels #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 03, 2008 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 945 Mac Specs: Macbook, 2.2 GHz, 4GB RAM	07-10-2008, 09:00 PM melow71, Depends on what you want to use it for... FAT32 can be read and written to by Mac. But if you want to use the drive for backup, you'll have to format it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Maybe partition it 50/50 (or whatever) and you can use part for backup and part for Windows. Noel
	QUOTE Thanks

Noels #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 03, 2008 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 945 Mac Specs: Macbook, 2.2 GHz, 4GB RAM	07-12-2008, 10:03 PM Eric, You mean partitioning the external into 2 partitions doesn't end up with roughly 50-50? How does it end up? My externals are both single partitions. Noel
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)