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New external HD in FAT32 - Format needed?

Forum Storage : Hard Disks - New external HD in FAT32 - Format needed?

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Hi.

I just bought a new external HD - WD Elements 1000GB, model: WDE1UBK10000E.

The HD file system is FAT32, and I heard many times that NTFS is alot better.

My Q is - should I format the drive to NTFS? I already have 50G on it, and if it's not so significant - I rather not doing it..

Second - if I really should - HOW should I do that? Right-click on drive letter and 'Format'?

TY in advance!!

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Yes! reformat the drive with NTFS. It is a much more robust file system than FAT32. If you get corrupt sectors or whatever, NTFS will recover much better. 50GB isn't much. Can't you stick it someplace while you format the drive?

It is just a data drive, right? Right click on it and format.

Message edited by superfuzzy on 07-10-2009 at 10:46:23 PM

Reply to superfuzzy

reformat

------------------------------ E8400 : GA-EP35-DS3L : mushkin 4GB DDR2 800 : HD 2600PRO : 450W ATX12V : Windows 7
Reply to 505090

Yep, reformat to ntfs. I believe there is a 4gb file size limit with fat32. If you have video files or whatever bigger than that, you won't be able to copy them to the drive.

Reply to orangegator

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New external HD in FAT32 - Format needed?

Forum Storage : Hard Disks - New external HD in FAT32 - Format needed?