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Topic: NTFS or FAT32? Which format to use?

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or does it really matter if I'm only ever going to use PC?
 
Posted Thu 03 Mar 11 @ 12:22 pm
NTFS for hard drives, FAT32 for memory sticks etc.

Keith
 
I would format as FAT 32. just because u never know when or why you would have 2 plug up 2 a mac. I use mac only but there was a few times I needed 2 hook up my external to a windows PC. So needless to say now all of my externals are fat 32. It's better to be safe than sorry.
 
Robin hasn't stated what the format is for though ........
 
yes u are correct. I was thinking for an external drive. But we both know what assuming can do.
 
Based on recent experience, I would suggest using NTFS in case you ever need to connect to a Mac.
That's not a typo... you heard it right ;)

The problem with Fat32 is that MacOSX only recognizes FAT32 partitions up to 128 GB. FAT32 is spec'd to go only up to 128 GB, and although Windows will see a Fat32 partition bigger than 128 GB, MacOSX refuses to break the rules.

NTFS, however, can support up to 256TB volumes. MacOSX can read NTFS no problem( which may be all you need if you are just going to occassionally need to play files from the drive on a Mac,) but cannot write to it, unless you install FUSE (aka MacFuse) which is readily available and innocuous.

I wish I had known this info last week, when I converted from a PC to a Mac. My external drive was formatted FAT32 thinking this was more compatible, and then I find I can't use it on the Mac. Now I'm scrambling to get the data copied to a new drive that I can use on the Mac for my weekend gigs. Ended up having to go from the old PC to the new Mac over the network. It took about 33 hours to copy 1TB. Finished 2 hours before I had to pack up for a gig ;)

Ironically, when I formatted that original Fat32 drive, I did it on a mac because formatting Fat32 on a pc is slow (1 hour) and usually gets errors for large drives. On a Mac, formatting Fat32 takes about 5 - 10 seconds from the command line.

I hope this is enlightening,
-Frd
 
Thx gang, it is enlightening indeed. I ONLY use PC for DJ-ing, not that there's is anything wrong with MAC (I own those also lol)

Just got a new LaCie Rugged 2tb drive in my mailbox today, so just making sure. Should be more durable than the other drives that always seem to crap out due to the constant travel they have to endure.
 
@frd

That is not correct, I have a 1tb WD external hard drive formatted as fat32 using it with my music on. And it reads the whole 1TB.
 
i would say fat32, i decided to use ntfs then discoered i couldnt use in my ps3, dvd player, tv or the hifi at the gym.

i was pretty gutted that i had to transfer tracks onto pen drove all the time to plug into other things for just listening pleasure
 
can't go wrong with fat32. all media devices tend to read only fat32 unless its a computer.
 
Unless she's a stalker in your Dj booth!
 
BTW:
While FAT32 is a more "wide-spread" format (meaning that it's recognized by more home consumer devices) it is 20 times (20x) more tolerable to faults than NTFS!

One of the good things about NTFS is it's "self-heeling" capabilities...

I would NEVER EVER use FAT32 on a drive I rely my job on... On USB sticks for the car, or on drives lying around for various data transfers maybe, but for playing music? NEVER!
 
if you format it as NTFS then u have 2 download some other files 2 make it usable on a mac & it's always better to be able 2 connect it 2 both than 2 be limited by only one. Maybe some have had issues with FAT32 just like some have probably had issues with NTFS. I look at it as the war of brands whereas some say Dell sucks & others love it.
 
I my opinion I have my hard drive formatted for both since I used both MAC AND PC.
 
As already said first choice is NTFS for its healing abilities, better use of storage space and faster access times HOWEVER if you use a portable drive and need to connect it to players/devices particularly DJing units like the old twin CD head units then FAT32 as they cannot write back your playlists/crate etc.

I would also suggest that you implement some kind of backup process to protect you files - either a weekly or monthly backup with a software onto a separte drive. I usre the main laptop drive to store my music files but run a monthly backup to a separte protable drive. The laptop is NTFS and the portable is FAT32 - if I need to use old Numark D2 director I simply use the portable backup drive.

Hope this helps.
 


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