External hard drive formating and partitioning

07
2014-07
  • RashReigns

    This question already has an answer here:

    • Answers
  • tbenz9

    I would recommend a tool called "GParted". It's a Linux based tool that should let you edit and create partitions. Once you get gparted running, right click on the existing partition and shrink it. Then in the "Unallocated Space" right click and select "Create new partition" and set it to NTFS as large as you want.

    Don't forget to click the "Apply" button, Gparted queues up all the commands then runs them in order when you click apply. Also note that resizing partitions can take a long time, it might give you a warning about not being bootable, but assuming this isn't your boot drive, it shouldn't be an issue. Also be sure you have the correct drive selected in the top right corner of gparted, in the image below /dev/hda is selected.

    Instructions for getting GParted running on a USB flash drive: http://gparted.org/liveusb.php

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  • smc

    Windows DiskManagement is limited in its capabilities. Try using other partitioning software. I would recommend Gparted.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_disk_partitioning_software


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  • Natim

    I just bought a hard drive of 500GB that I want to use on Mac OS X and GNU/Linux but be able to use some file on Windows.

    Basically I have to deal with FAT32 (That doesn't support file over 4GB), NTFS without Mac OS writting support, HFS (Not working on Windows) and EXT3 (Not working on Mac OS X)

    How should I do ? Having a NTFS partion, a HFS+ partition, a EXT3 partition and a FAT32 partition ?


    • Related Answers
  • SleighBoy

    You could go with an ext3 and mount it in Windows and Mac OS. I've used the Windows software before, worked fine, I can't personally vouch for ext2/3 on Mac OS, but it appears a valid solution.

  • Console

    Use NTFS and Install ntfs3g on your mac.

  • Benjamin Schollnick

    Do you have snow leopard? If so, install the boot camp drivers on the machine.... When you are in Windows, put in your Snow Leopard DVD, and the boot camp drivers should install automatically... They include HPFS drivers which should allow you to read/write to the Macintosh partitions...