Format for a external drive

hey people

got 4tb external drive , need work on both mac loin , window 7.

been using fat32 last years 4gb on files .

need copy files hard drive. work on them on hard drive.

tried ex fat. had data trouble that. eg split hard drive 3. , both of 2 ex fat worked start off. 1 day stop , dint let me create folders, delete files , slow.

wish there way mac os extended worked on window 7.

people got ideas?

 

format hard drive using disk utility (which in /applications/utilities folder)

choose appropriate format:

hfs+ (hierarchical file system, a.k.a. mac os extended (journaled) don't use case-sensitive)

• read/write hfs+ native mac os x
• required time machine or carbon copy cloner or superduper! backups of mac os x system files.
  [*]to read/write hfs+ windows, install macdrive
  [*]to read hfs+ (but not write) windows, install hfsexplorer
• maximum file size: 8eib
• maximum volume size: 8eib
• mac os x: mac os extended format (hfs plus) volume , file limits
• you can use format if use drive mac os x, or use backups of mac os x internal drive, or if share 1 windows pc (with macdrive installed on pc)

ntfs (windows nt file system)

• read/write ntfs native windows.
• read ntfs native mac os x
  [*]to read/write/format ntfs mac os x, here alternatives:
  • for mac os x 10.4 or later (32 or 64-bit), install paragon (approx $20) (best choice lion)
  • for 32-bit mac os x, install ntfs-3g mac os x (free) (does not work in 64-bit mode)
  • for 64-bit snow leopard, read this: macfuse 64-bit snow leopard
  • some have reported problems using tuxera (approx $36).
  • native ntfs support can enabled in snow leopard , lion, not advisable, due instability.
• airport extreme (802.11n) , time capsule not support ntfs
• maximum file size: 16 tb
• maximum volume size: 256tb
• you can use format if routinely share drive multiple windows systems.

exfat (fat64)

• supported in mac os x in 10.6.5 or later.
• not windows versions support exfat. see disadvantages.
• exfat (extended file allocation table)
• airport extreme (802.11n) , time capsule not support exfat
• maximum file size: 16 eib
• maximum volume size: 64 zib
• you can use format if supported computers intend share drive. see "disadvantages" details.

fat32 (file allocation table)

• read/write fat32 both native windows , native mac os x.
  [*]maximum file size: 4gb.
• maximum volume size: 2tb
• you can use format if share drive between mac os x , windows computers , have no files larger 4gb.

 

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