New Hard Drive Format !!

Macthelion · Macthelion #1 (**permalink**)

10-29-2011, 07:01 AM

Hi Guys ..

I just got a 500 GB external hard drive, when plugging it to my Macbook Pro ( Lion OS ), it showed that the HD is Windows NTFS format .
Should i leave it like this or should i format it to another format ?
I usualy transfer files larger than 4 GB, and might use the HD on windows also.

Thanks ,,,

Kevriano · Kevriano #2 (**permalink**)

10-29-2011, 07:37 AM

If you are going to swap between then leave it as NTFS, and get NTFS Mounter for your Mac, so that you can read and write to it.

louishen · louishen #3 (**permalink**)

10-29-2011, 07:40 AM

If you want to use the hard disk on windows as well, and as you say some files may be larger than 4 gig, then leave it as NTFS

But OSX can only read NTFS formatted disks, in that case you have 2 options

PARAGON Software Group - NTFS for Mac, communication channel between Mac OS X and Windows $20

NTFS-3G for Mac OS X

Although the drive may come with OSX drivers for NTFS

Macthelion · Macthelion #4 (**permalink**)

10-29-2011, 08:19 AM

Kevriano ..
louishen ...

What i understand now is that since the new external HD is working i don't need any app.
One more thing, is it possible to partition the NTFS external HD ?

Thanks for the reply

Kevriano · Kevriano #5 (**permalink**)

10-29-2011, 09:26 AM

NTFS mounter will let you read/write Loushen. I use it all the time.
As for partitioning it, yes, but you will have to do it on a Windows machine.

bobtomay · bobtomay #6 (**permalink**)

10-29-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevriano;1318030...

As for partitioning it, yes, but you will have to do it on a Windows machine.

Which is one of the reasons I highly recommend Paragon's NTFS for Mac.
You'll have access to Partitioning and formatting as NTFS from within Disk Utility.

Kevriano · Kevriano #7 (**permalink**)

10-29-2011, 10:56 AM

Agreed that is useful. I use iPartition myself.

bobtomay · bobtomay #8 (**permalink**)

10-29-2011, 11:16 AM

^^^Another good utility for those that have a need for a better partitioning tool.

Macthelion · Macthelion #9 (**permalink**)

10-29-2011, 01:14 PM

Thanks guys for all your comments .

Kevriano #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2006 Location: Crawley, England Posts: 4,561 Mac Specs: 20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.	10-29-2011, 07:37 AM If you are going to swap between then leave it as NTFS, and get NTFS Mounter for your Mac, so that you can read and write to it. Try my custom Mac Forums Search Engine: Mac Forums Google Search Please use the reputation system if you consider any help given useful (it's the little ✓/✘ on the left <---)
	QUOTE Thanks

Kevriano #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2006 Location: Crawley, England Posts: 4,561 Mac Specs: 20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.	10-29-2011, 09:26 AM NTFS mounter will let you read/write Loushen. I use it all the time. As for partitioning it, yes, but you will have to do it on a Windows machine. Try my custom Mac Forums Search Engine: Mac Forums Google Search Please use the reputation system if you consider any help given useful (it's the little ✓/✘ on the left <---)
	QUOTE Thanks

Kevriano #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2006 Location: Crawley, England Posts: 4,561 Mac Specs: 20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.	10-29-2011, 10:56 AM Agreed that is useful. I use iPartition myself. Try my custom Mac Forums Search Engine: Mac Forums Google Search Please use the reputation system if you consider any help given useful (it's the little ✓/✘ on the left <---)
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 25,519 Mac Specs: 15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '11 1.8 i7 4GB 10.10; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.10; 5s & 5c	10-29-2011, 11:16 AM ^^^Another good utility for those that have a need for a better partitioning tool. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus.
	QUOTE Thanks

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Macthelion #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 07, 2011 Posts: 5	10-29-2011, 07:01 AM Hi Guys .. I just got a 500 GB external hard drive, when plugging it to my Macbook Pro ( Lion OS ), it showed that the HD is Windows NTFS format . Should i leave it like this or should i format it to another format ? I usualy transfer files larger than 4 GB, and might use the HD on windows also. Thanks ,,,
	QUOTE Thanks

Macthelion #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 07, 2011 Posts: 5	10-29-2011, 08:19 AM Kevriano .. louishen ... What i understand now is that since the new external HD is working i don't need any app. One more thing, is it possible to partition the NTFS external HD ? Thanks for the reply
	QUOTE Thanks

Macthelion #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 07, 2011 Posts: 5	10-29-2011, 01:14 PM Thanks guys for all your comments .
	QUOTE Thanks

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