Re formatting external drive

Kevriano · Kevriano #1 (**permalink**)

08-21-2006, 12:24 PM

Hi. I just purchased a Western Digital My book external drive, and it comes preformatted for Windows (boo).
I know I need to use Disk utility to reformat, but am a bit unsure as to which format to use and wether this will also erase the software for the drive in the process.
Thanks for any help.

surfwax95 · surfwax95 #2 (**permalink**)

08-21-2006, 12:42 PM

If you'd like to share information between Windows and Mac, choose Erase in DiskUtility and format it to MS-DOS (Fat32).

If you'd prefer the drive to be Mac exclusive, format it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

All info will be erased from the drive.

This topic has been covered numerous times, there is a search menu on the top right of the page. Check it out.

Kevriano · Kevriano #3 (**permalink**)

08-21-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfwax95

If you'd like to share information between Windows and Mac, choose Erase in DiskUtility and format it to MS-DOS (Fat32).

If you'd prefer the drive to be Mac exclusive, format it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

All info will be erased from the drive.

This topic has been covered numerous times, there is a search menu on the top right of the page. Check it out.

Thanks for the reply. Always forget about search!! Cheers .

Kevriano #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2006 Location: Crawley, England Posts: 4,560 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.	08-21-2006, 12:24 PM Hi. I just purchased a Western Digital My book external drive, and it comes preformatted for Windows (boo). I know I need to use Disk utility to reformat, but am a bit unsure as to which format to use and wether this will also erase the software for the drive in the process. Thanks for any help. 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

surfwax95 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 27, 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 2,410 Mac Specs: 15" Powerbook G4 • 24" iMac • iPhone 3Gs	08-21-2006, 12:42 PM If you'd like to share information between Windows and Mac, choose Erase in DiskUtility and format it to MS-DOS (Fat32). If you'd prefer the drive to be Mac exclusive, format it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled). All info will be erased from the drive. This topic has been covered numerous times, there is a search menu on the top right of the page. Check it out. I try to Command+Shift+/ when I can. They're - Their - There \| Two - Too - To \| You're - Your \| MAC - Mac I was on the M-F honor roll for October, 2006.
	QUOTE Thanks

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