New 1TB hard Disc Help

gryphon

I've just got myself a 1TB portable HD. my old HD runs a NTFS file system, the new is formatted as FAT32. Should i re-format this to NTFS or will it run ok as FAT32.

debitcardmayhem

gryphon wrote: »

I've just got myself a 1TB portable HD. my old HD runs a NTFS file system, the new is formatted as FAT32. Should i re-format this to NTFS or will it run ok as FAT32.

Yes and Yes, but if you want to use it with other operating systems Fat32 is probably better, but it depends on whether you need large file support >4gb ??(super techs will correct me, 'cos i am posting from my phone and cannot access my home network, and I am in't pub:))

debitcardmayhem

Just worked out how to cut and paste on my phone tRy here http://www.theeldergeek.com/ntfs_or_fat32_file_system.htm

Edited my earlier 4Gb was pants it's about 32gb

jayme1

the 4GB limit is correct per file for FAT32. (edit just read above) how weird when i tried a 7gb file on an old FAT32 HDD it wouldnt work

if you are only going to be using the drive in windows computers I would definately say reformat it to NTFS, as it will be far more flexible like being able to store files over 4GB and you can use it for the built in pc backups in windows 7 for instance.
NTFS is also more stable and secure than FAT32.

but if you are going to use it in anything else (like a mac, linux or a ps3) then FAT32 will be better

edit: I was correct about the 4GB limit for FAT32 read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table#FAT32

Christhezulu

i wouldnt be too concerned by it to be honest. FAT32 wont allow you to transfer files larger than 4GB(ish) but you probably wont have many files larger than tha, but i could be wrong!

it only takes a few minutes to convert the drive from one to another. i wouldnt probably set it up at a NTFS seeing as the old one was set this way.
i think the reason they sometimes come as FAT32 is because they are widely compatible with older versions of windows as well as other operating systems (Mac, linux etc).

hope that helps out

gryphon

Cheers guys

JasX

I've run into the 4G limit before too, if you think you're ever going to want to use it to store, edit or rip video format it NTFS now to avoid problems and needing to empty it later for reformat.

However FAT32 is less sensitive to being unplugged 'in a hurry' and less likely to corrupt a large file mid copy if you don't 'stop' and disconnect it properly (bad practice not to anyway). But then you take the slight performance hit for that.

Enterprise-D

Personally I would format into NTFS.

I didn't even think that a 1TB partition could even be addressed by FAT32?

kwikbreaks

Enterprise-D wrote: »

I didn't even think that a 1TB partition could even be addressed by FAT32?

I'm too idle to search but from memory Windows won't format drives that big as FAT32 - I remember getting some special utility with a drive a long time back (so probably smaller than 1TB) which would do it though.

Again from memory the Windows file system conversion option is a one way street - i.e. Fat32 to NTFS only and won't go the other way.

Most other operating systems can be persuaded to work with NTFS drives these days.

free4440273

gryphon wrote: »

I've just got myself a 1TB portable HD. my old HD runs a NTFS file system, the new is formatted as FAT32. Should i re-format this to NTFS or will it run ok as FAT32.

It will run fine as fat32; if using windows 7 then ntfs does have benefits/ it's what i choose to use / :cool: