Question about formatting external

[apattee]

Here are the uses I want for my new external:

I want it to be the back-up source for time machine.
I want to use it on XP without MacDrive.
I want to obviously use it for my Mac as well.

Do I format it as FAT32. The whole thing about no files over 4gb is okay, as long as it plays nice with Time Machine. So what are my best options? Thanks.

 

[hodgjy]

Time Machine only works with HFS+ drives. So, you can't FAT32 it. If you want to use it for both Time Machine and Windows, you'll have to get 3rd party software to use it under Windows.

However, I don't recommend using your Time Machine drive for anything except Time Machine.