Format external hard-drive (Mac)

[MJoshi]

I would like to format an external USB hard-drive so that it can be used with a Windows or Mac computer.

At the moment, it is not recognised in Windows and was formatted for use with a Mac.

I only have access to Windows and Linux.

 

[OlyAR15]

ex-FAT is your best option. Assuming you are using modern OS on both.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Second vote for exFAT.

The implementation on MacOS is a bit touchy. Dunno if Apple has fixed it in the last couple OS releases, but it used to be that OS X would sometimes have trouble reading exFAT volumes that were formatted on Windows machines. (So maybe try Linux if, as you mention in OP, you don't have a Mac handy.)

 

[Cerb]

I'd go with good old FAT32, unless it's too large. You can format large FAT32 volumes in Linux.

 

[Coup27]

I'd go with good old FAT32, unless it's too large. You can format large FAT32 volumes in Linux.

Really? 4GB file size limit. Although that may or may not be a problem for the OP.

 

[Cerb]

Really? 4GB file size limit. Although that may or may not be a problem for the OP.

True. I just really don't like only having a single FAT, with a removable drive.

 

[MJoshi]

Thanks for all the replies so far. The drive is an external 2.5" 40GB magnetic disc in a USB caddy.

How would I do an ex-FAT or FAT32 format in Linux on the drive?

 

[Cerb]

Thanks for all the replies so far. The drive is an external 2.5" 40GB magnetic disc in a USB caddy.

How would I do an ex-FAT or FAT32 format in Linux on the drive?

GParted is probably the easiest tool to use.