Do I have to re-format my disk to FAT32 for time machine

[realchimera]

I downloaded Paragon as someone told me on the forum. Now I can both r/w the external HD. I tried to use the same HD as my time machine, but it doesn't show up in the "select backup disk" list.

Does anyone what the problem is? Do I need to format it to FAT?

 

[Jolly Jimmy]

Time Machine requires the drive to be formatted as journaled HFS+.

 

[realchimera]

Time Machine requires the drive to be formatted as journaled HFS+.

Thanks! Does it compatible/readable with Windows XP/7?

Ugh...Is it only read-only in Windows?

 

[Nermal]

HFS+ is not readable/writable in Windows without third-party software. A Time Machine volume is not intended to be used as a "generic" data storage volume; it's only for Time Machine.

 

[satcomer]

Thanks! Does it compatible/readable with Windows XP/7?

Ugh...Is it only read-only in Windows?

The only way is with a windows program called MacDrive.

 

[realchimera]

I try to format my old HD for time machine by Disk Utility. Should I choose "GUID Partition Table" in the option?

 

[GGJstudios]

A little clarification on formatting options:


FAT32 (File Allocation Table)

• Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
  [*]Maximum file size: 4GB.
• Maximum volume size: 2TB

NTFS (Windows NT File System)

• Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
• Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
  [*]To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X, here are some alternatives:
  • For Mac OS X 10.4 or later (32 or 64-bit), install Paragon (approx $20) (Best Choice for Lion)
  • For 32-bit Mac OS X, install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X (free) (does not work in 64-bit mode)
  • For 64-bit Snow Leopard, read this: MacFUSE for 64-bit Snow Leopard
  • Some have reported problems using Tuxera (approx $36).
  • Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard and Lion, but is not advisable, due to instability.
• AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support NTFS
• Maximum file size: 16 TB
• Maximum volume size: 256TB

HFS+ (Hierarchical File System, a.k.a. Mac OS Extended)

• Read/Write HFS+ from native Mac OS X
• Required for Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! backups of Mac internal hard drive.
  [*]To Read/Write HFS+ from Windows, Install MacDrive
  [*]To Read HFS+ (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer
• Maximum file size: 8EiB
• Maximum volume size: 8EiB

exFAT (FAT64)

• Supported in Mac OS X only in 10.6.5 or later.
• Not all Windows versions support exFAT. See disadvantages.
• exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)
• AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support exFAT
• Maximum file size: 16 EiB
• Maximum volume size: 64 ZiB

 

[hayesk]

I try to format my old HD for time machine by Disk Utility. Should I choose "GUID Partition Table" in the option?

Yes.

 

[realchimera]

ugh...my old HD is too old. It's even too small to backup a 2-week old Mac.