format for my external HD

Extend Journaled (HFS+) is the safest format. If you are going to sharing with a Windows or Linux syste use MS-DOS format (FAT32).

DO NOT use the Case-Sensitive formats unless you will be doing a lot with UNIX software, as few Mac applications use it correctly.

TEG

trev said:

when I go in Disk Utility I can format it using either of the following:

Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Mac OS Extended
Mac OS Extended (Case-senitive, Journaled)
Mac OS Extended (Case-senitive)
MS-DOS (FAT)

What should I choose? what are the differences here?

Click to expand...

For just OS X use Mac extended ( journaled ) if for both OS X and windows use MS-DOS ( FAT )

edit damn that TEG is fast

trev said:

is there an advantage to using Mac OS Extended (Journaled) rather than MS-DOS (FAT)? I mean, I don't intend to use it on a Pee Cee, but just incase I do I'd rather be safe than sorry, unless again, there is an advantage to using os journaled.

Click to expand...

I'd format HFS+ for now,if you ever decide to use bootcamp you can always partition part of it for
windows and use MS-DOS ( FAT ) so both OS's have r/w capabilities

trev said:

is there an advantage to using Mac OS Extended (Journaled) rather than MS-DOS (FAT)? I mean, I don't intend to use it on a Pee Cee, but just incase I do I'd rather be safe than sorry, unless again, there is an advantage to using os journaled.

Click to expand...

FAT32 does not preserver permissions that HFS+ and other *NIX systems support. As a result, you can have problems moving things back and forth to the external drive.

TEG