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Accessing external hard drive from both Mac and PC

  • 08-10-2007 10:31pm
    #1
    Munster_Fan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭


    Hi there,
    I have an external hard drive that I want to primariliy use for backup of my new Macbook. Ideally I'd like to files to be read/write to the external hard drive from both my Windows-PC and the MacBook.

    Is the best option to format the whole drive to FAT32? Are there any disadvantages to this?

    Also, is it possible partition the external hard disk into 2 partitions:
    Partition 1: NTFS
    Partition 2: Mac OS file system.

    Thanks in advance!


Comments

  • #2
    setanta5
    Closed Accounts Posts: 348 ✭✭setanta5


    Depending on its size its a better option (for me anyway) to partition it between Fat32 and MAC OS Journaled. I have a 500gig external drive with 160gig assigned for backups using MAC OS journalled, and 100 gig for FAT32 and the rest is also MAC OS Journalled. FAT 32 means i can read and write to it from either windows or the MAC. However some large files like imovie or FCE movies run into 5-6-7 gig's in size...so i use MAC OS Journalled for that. Supposed to me more stable for large file sizes. And i use Superduper for backups which likes to have a standalone drive assigned for backing up the entire system, so i use this to make a bootable version of my Mac. If something goes wrong i can boot from this drive and restore to where i was a day or two before.


  • #3
    setanta5
    Closed Accounts Posts: 348 ✭✭setanta5


    Its easy to do by the way...in utilities just start Disk Utility or key it into spotlight. THen you select the drive you want choos how many partitions you want (1 partition will leave you with two drives) and assign a format and name to each one. Be aware though that it will totally format the drive so if there's anythign you need to keep make sure you have it backed up first.

    Should only take 10 minutes to do.


  • #4
    NullZer0
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,629 ✭✭✭NullZer0


    Just as a Suggestion:

    http://ntfs-mac.com/

    Keep in mind its a public Beta version.


    May be worth taking a look.
    I haven't tried it yet at all.


  • #5
    Breezer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,236 ✭✭✭Breezer


    Munster_Fan wrote:
    Is the best option to format the whole drive to FAT32? Are there any disadvantages to this?
    If you want total compatibility, then yes. But FAT32 can only store files up to 4GB in size. So overall, partitioning is your best bet.


  • #6
    iUseVi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭iUseVi


    If you want total compatibility, then yes. But FAT32 can only store files up to 4GB in size. So overall, partitioning is your best bet.

    +1 in agreement with breezer


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