How to format Harddrive from MBP

[Greenhoe]

Hi,
I just purchased a 500GB 5400 RPM HD for my MBP and I'm putting my old 250 stock HD in an encloser which I would like to use as an external drive.

I would like to be able to use the 250 external between both my Windows and Mac so what formating type must I use? NTFS or what? Thanks

 

[rogair]

Will have to be FAT32 partition for read/write on both OS's.

NTFS is read/write on Windows, and read ONLY on OS X.

You can use HFS (OS X read/write) and then use HFSExplorer on Windows, but FAT32 is best. You just can't have a single file larger than 4Gb using FAT32.

 

[Greenhoe]

Will have to be FAT32 partition for read/write on both OS's.

NTFS is read/write on Windows, and read ONLY on OS X.

You can use HFS (OS X read/write) and then use HFSExplorer on Windows, but FAT32 is best. You just can't have a single file larger than 4Gb using FAT32.

How are all the Harddrives formatted that you purchase from the store such as my Western Digital 500GB external as I'm able to use that on both my Mac and PC?

 

[nippyjun]

How are all the Harddrives formatted that you purchase from the store such as my Western Digital 500GB external as I'm able to use that on both my Mac and PC?

Fat32