New external HDD... FAT32 or NTFS?
 

I will be receiving a new Fantom external harddrive today, and while it comes with FAT32 format, it can easily be converted to NTFS as well.

Which format do you recommend, and why?

I will be using the harddrive primarily to store race-related movies and media. I'm using an older Windows PC with Windows ME.

I read somewhere that NTFS can be recognized by Apple/Macs, but am not sure if that's true or not. Thus, I'd appreciate recommendations and/or feedback in regards to which format is ideal for me.

if you're going with winME and MAC you can go with NTFS, however, FAT 32 would be best for maximum compatibility.

Thanks for the reply.

To expand on the compatibility issue... What situations could exist in which there is one?

e.g. Is there a resource that lists what FAT32 and NTFS are and are not compatible with?

Generally, I am intending this harddrve to be used with my current computer, but I can also forsee it being used on future PCs, or even those owned by friends and/or acquaintances.

Linux, although it can support ntfs, does not do a good job of it, older mac systems don't support it. if you plan on using file permissions, NTFS is the only way to go, otherwise, FAT32 will serve you fine.

Unless you plan on installing Linux, never use FAT32. It sucks.

Even if you plan on installing Linux, you're usually better served using your Windows OS partition as NTFS and making separate (more compatable) Linux partitions.

Some limitations of FAT32:

No files bigger than 4 GB.
No drives bigger than 137GB.

It sucks.

Format it using NTFS :)

there is no drive size limit, but there is a partition size limit for FAT32 that i forgot about, go with NTFS.

NTFS.

Even if you're using Linux, there are now stable NTFS drivers for Linux that will allow you to write and read to an NTFS volume without losing your data.

Thanks for the replies.

Are external harddrives generally as durable as internal drives? Specifically, can I use my external harddrive to seed torrent-related files as I did my internal one, or will that result in an increased chance of it burning out or dying?

External hard drives have a higher chance of being knocked around, as they're not screwed to a chassis and are usually being moved around (or else, why get an external?)

Cooling for a hard drive is mostly non-existant, so unless you're leaving it in extreme hot and cold temperatures or tossing it around, there shouldn't be any difference.

Most external hard drives are just internal drives in a housing with appropriate plugs, anyway.

Thanks JinnKai. I was concerned it might be more likely to overheat or die, primarily because it being external makes me more aware of how hot it can get, and that it is working constantly; whereas on internal drives this all goes on unseen.

Regarding NTFS... If I am using Windows ME, is it even an option for me? I don't see Windows ME listed as a compatible operating system.

My PC is older, and I bought it at a time when Windows ME was unfortunately available. Thus, I am stuck with it, and I am curious of this will limit me from being able to use NTFS on the external harddrive.

Thanks again.

If you tuned up your PC and reinstalled using XP / Vista, you'd probably be in better shape. You're not stuck with it :)

It appears as though 9x kernel (95/98/ME) needs extra software to run NTFS. Running an external of any type will probably be a PITA. I'll be fair, XP did a decent job of supporting removable external media.

Windows ME?! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Spend the money you'd spend on the hard drive on a copy of Windows XP. At the very least, steal a copy.

You're missing a lot of important features. Frankly, I'm surprised you still have software that runs on it. :)

Windows Me isn't even supported anymore. It's 7 years old. In computer years, that's like ... 140 years.

One reason I have a FAT32 drive is my DVD/surround sound system has a USB port, but it does not support NTFS. Current count in my house is 4 external drives - three NTFS and one FAT32.

Thanks for the replies.

I only really use my computer for the Internet and downloading/viewing movies. I'd like to use my computer less, and certainly won't be investing in a new operating system any time soon.

I could acquire Windows XP, but ultimately am not really willing to go through the process of formatting and installing a new operating system, as there is no benefit given my usage of the computer lately.

The HDD is very nice. It allows me to put the media on its own drive, and ideally will allow me to create a nice collection that can later be transferred to a future PC.

Oh god, I second that. Don't even know a person who used it when it was brand new. But hey! It came on a very pretty CD-ROM. Make a ChristmasImeanHoliday Tree ornament.