Formatting an External HDD

investinchad · investinchad #1 (**permalink**)

12-12-2009, 08:53 PM

I have a 1TB Time Capsule for backing up my MBP. I also have a new 1TB Western Digital external HDD which I want to use for storing photos and videos.

My wife uses Windows XP on her desktop (I'm still working on getting her to switch.) Some of the videos are more than 4GB which I understand FAT32 cannot store. The purpose is to clear up disk spaces on both laptop and desktop. We would also like to access the files without compatibility issues. What would be the best format to use on the WD?

CrimsonRequiem · CrimsonRequiem #2 (**permalink**)

12-12-2009, 10:15 PM

NTSF. Google NTSF-3G.

baggss · baggss #3 (**permalink**)

12-12-2009, 11:00 PM

You can format as NTFS and still read it on the Mac. Unfortunately you won't be able to write to it in that format without installing other software on your Mac. Actually, if it's on a Network, you may be able to.

deus_ex_machina · deus_ex_machina #4 (**permalink**)

12-13-2009, 12:07 AM

NTFS. Only use FAT32 for USB drives.

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/air...ndows-mac.html

investinchad · investinchad #5 (**permalink**)

12-13-2009, 01:55 PM

I did some searches for NTFS-3G and it seems interesting. However, it's a fairly new format is it not? I believe the major difference over the regular NTFS is that the 3G allows you to read and write with OSX.

Has anyone had any experience with this new HDD format? If so, has there been any encountered issues?

CrimsonRequiem #2 (permalink)
Inactive Staff Member Since: Jul 24, 2008 Posts: 5,956 Mac Specs: MBP 2.3 Ghz 4GB RAM 860 GB SSD, iMac 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 32GB RAM, Fusion Drive 1TB	12-12-2009, 10:15 PM NTSF. Google NTSF-3G. 死神はリンゴしか食べない。
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deus_ex_machina #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 06, 2004 Location: Tejas Posts: 1,720 Mac Specs: 2GHz Mac Mini 2GB RAM 160GB 10.6.2 \| MDD DP 1.25GHz G4 1.5GB RAM 10.4.11 \| 233MHz iMac G3 10.3.9	12-13-2009, 12:07 AM NTFS. Only use FAT32 for USB drives. http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/air...ndows-mac.html EOF website portfolio
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Formatting an External HDD

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investinchad #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 01, 2009 Location: The Broke State! Posts: 48 Mac Specs: MBP Uni 13/2.53 SL- iPhone 3g	12-12-2009, 08:53 PM I have a 1TB Time Capsule for backing up my MBP. I also have a new 1TB Western Digital external HDD which I want to use for storing photos and videos. My wife uses Windows XP on her desktop (I'm still working on getting her to switch.) Some of the videos are more than 4GB which I understand FAT32 cannot store. The purpose is to clear up disk spaces on both laptop and desktop. We would also like to access the files without compatibility issues. What would be the best format to use on the WD?
	QUOTE Thanks

investinchad #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 01, 2009 Location: The Broke State! Posts: 48 Mac Specs: MBP Uni 13/2.53 SL- iPhone 3g	12-13-2009, 01:55 PM I did some searches for NTFS-3G and it seems interesting. However, it's a fairly new format is it not? I believe the major difference over the regular NTFS is that the 3G allows you to read and write with OSX. Has anyone had any experience with this new HDD format? If so, has there been any encountered issues?
	QUOTE Thanks

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