What format should I format the external hard drive? HFS? NTFS? Fat32?

Question

I want to use an external hard disk to store and share data on a windows XP machine, and a Macbook pro running OS X. I bought a hard disk enclosure and a 100GB laptop hard disk from MSY computers, but the disk is unformatted.

Answer 1

How about partitioning the drive? Standard HFS+ (Apple format) and Fat32 on the second part of the drive. This would give you total access to the Apple format, and portability to Windows. Even better, if you decide you need to interface with Linux, you are still compatible with Fat32 (or NTFS, cause Linux is smart). Try the instructions this person used and see if it resolves your questions.

Answer 2

I don't think XP can read HFS. I just saw on a University of Indiana website that OS X does NOT support HFS, so if that is correct, you don't want HFS.



If you want to share data between the PC and the Mac, you need to verify that OS X will reliably write to NTFS (Linux has problems there, although that is being slowly resolved). If OS X will not write to NTFS, then Fat32 is your only sharing choice.

Answer 3

NTFS

ntfs is common and usally the best chioce

I'm not familar w/ HFS , but Fat32, Fat16, and FAT are mainly used for older operating systems

so if u plan to use it with a copy of windows 3.X or 95 or something don't go w/ ntfs

if u plan to use if w/ XP then your ok w/ ntfs

and when u format it, NTFS Quick is ok, but i personally would go w/ regular ntfs for the 1st format (if it even gives u that option)