Wanted to buy an external USB hardrive for the purpose of storing a large music collection and also to keep a mirror image of my hard drive on my computer. Was looking at info on Maxtor 200GB One touch.Their info states that to restore a mirror image to the computer's hard drive you have to format it first then install the operating system first before restoring the image from the external drive. It doesn't sound like their software does this for you.It seems like extra work to me because the mirror image already has the operating system installed,correct? Was reading up on mirror imaging programs and it sounds like Acronis true image does this,lets you create a bootable CD that will format the hard drive then restore the image.

Formatting the USB HDD with Windows 7 will be pain as it's a 1 TB HDD and i do not have any other space available to backup that data. Next reinsert the disk and format it, but using FAT not FAT32. After you finished that your disk won't be write protected anymore and you also will gave Security tab.

If I decide to get Acronis should I not install the Maxtor software or are the two compatible? Also will the external hard drive need to be in two partions,one for the music files and other misc. Data and one for backups? Please bear with me for one last question.I have a built in 4 slot card reader along with a DVD-Rom drive and a cd writer.Will installing the external drive change any of the drive letters? I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanx bgreen.

No idea about the Maxtor software. Acronis True Image is killer though! You *can* reimage(replace the image) from within Windows. It'll ask you to restart and go through the motions and work fine.

Or, boot to the Acronis Rescue Medai and you'll see the same Acronis screen and it will work the same. My laptops average 10 - 12 minutes to completely replace(reimage) their OS partitions. I store my images on a separate partition on the same HDD, but USB HDDs work too. There have been known issues with certain chipsets on some USB cards, but most do work. I have a 300GB USB external HD I bought from Tiger Direct-I bought the case separately and the total cost was under $100.00 I've always found it easier to reinstall the OS rather than image it, but I've always had OS disks rather than restore disks. An image restore is only as good as the image you have.

XP's disk manager will format the disk for you. NTFS is the best way to go. Partitioning is up to you-There's no reason not to just create a folder called 'Music' and put your songs in it. Your drive letters shouldn't change, and it doesn't matter if they do.

XP will let your change drive letters as you see fit. I'm a big fan of NT Backup, XP's native backup software. Ordered Acronis today from Amazon,since there are no stores nearby that sell it.

Picked up a 200 GB Maxtor drive,a friend is picking up an enclosure for me this weekend. Once the Acronis gets here I'll run Ewido,A-squared,Spy- Sweeper,etc.,maybe post a HJT log on Security forum and if everything seems pretty clean I'll save one disc image on the C drive and one on the external drive for good measure. This is my plan until I find out more about how the program works. BTW Ewido just found and eliminated Chitika spyware tonight. Another reason I want to get Acronis,eventually something is going to come along that I can't get rid of! Don't want to have to reload everything except as a last resort.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () So I've got a nice big HD in an external USB2.0/Firewire Combo Case, and I want to use it with BOTH my Mac and PC. The Mac is running the latest 10.3.x, and the PC is totally windows updated (XP SP2 + hotfixes). To the best of my knowledge, the only format that will work cross platform without any additional software is FAT32. Having plugged the drive into my PC, I was shocked to see in Admin Tools - Disk Management, only one option in the partition / format wizard. NTFS or NTFS! Knowing full well that Microsoft hadn't eliminated support for FAT32, I opened a command window and typed format /?

And sure enough, right there was FS: (file system switch) So what's the deal! MS decided they wanted to make it difficult to format drives in something other than NTFS?

The Admin Tools is NOT the place to be hiding options from power users! What is this big brother garbage? (and this could be my bad here). Am I wrong and FAT32 normally is an available option in the GUI? I mean during XP install from the Bootable XP disk you get the choice of FAT32 or NTFS. Is Fat32 no longer an option once you've made your system disk NTFS?

Is FAT32 not an option because my drive is on USB and not directly sitting on the IDE ribbon? Is the 120GB drive too big for FAT32, and the Admin Tool knew something that the command window didn't? Thanks in advance, Ethan -- To e-mail me, replace '_nospamtoday_' with the '@' symbol when replying to my address. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () 'hupjack' wrote in message news:quednYsCj7qN3yjcRVn-iA@comcast.com. So I've got a nice big HD in an external USB2.0/Firewire Combo Case, and I want to use it with BOTH my Mac and PC. The Mac is running the latest 10.3.x, and the PC is totally windows updated (XP SP2 + hotfixes). To the best of my knowledge, the only format that will work cross platform without any additional software is FAT32.

Having plugged the drive into my PC, I was shocked to see in Admin Tools - Disk Management, only one option in the partition / format wizard. NTFS or NTFS! Knowing full well that Microsoft hadn't eliminated support for FAT32, I opened a command window and typed format /? And sure enough, right there was FS: (file system switch) So what's the deal! MS decided they wanted to make it difficult to format drives in something other than NTFS? The Admin Tools is NOT the place to be hiding options from power users!

What is this big brother garbage? OR. (and this could be my bad here). Am I wrong and FAT32 normally is an available option in the GUI?

I mean during XP install from the Bootable XP disk you get the choice of FAT32 or NTFS. Is Fat32 no longer an option once you've made your system disk NTFS? Is FAT32 not an option because my drive is on USB and not directly sitting on the IDE ribbon? Is the 120GB drive too big for FAT32, and the Admin Tool knew something that the command window didn't? Thanks in advance, Ethan -- To e-mail me, replace '_nospamtoday_' with the '@' symbol when replying to my address. Hi Ethan - You're right - Microsoft has made FAT32 a difficult option under Windows XP. FAT32 is only supported on partitions up to 32GB under Windows XP. Windows XP, however, will support a FAT32 partition in excess of 32GB, provided it is formatted elsewhere such as DOS, Windows 98SE, Windows ME.

Though next best thing to impossible with a DOS diskette, as there is no USB support under DOS. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () I had the same problem, had to use Western Digitals DOS utilities to FAT32 format my WD 80GB hard drive. Win XP will only format FAT32 up to 32GBs. I've heard that Partition Magic will do what you want. Or just download a Win Me bootdisk off the internet. Or Hard drive manufacturers DOS utilities You will need to set up your new hard drive in your computer by it's self. Then boot off bootdisk, partition and format.

Win 98SE (without the MS patch) had a problem partitioning Western Digitals beyond 60GBs. 'hupjack' wrote in message news:quednYsCj7qN3yjcRVn-iA@comcast.com. >So I've got a nice big HD in an external USB2.0/Firewire Combo Case, and I >want to use it with BOTH my Mac and PC. The Mac is running the latest >10.3.x, and the PC is totally windows updated (XP SP2 + hotfixes). >>To the best of my knowledge, the only format that will work cross platform >without any additional software is FAT32. Having plugged the drive into >my PC, I was shocked to see in Admin Tools - Disk Management, only one >option in the partition / format wizard.

NTFS or NTFS! >>Knowing full well that Microsoft hadn't eliminated support for FAT32, I >opened a command window and typed format /? And sure enough, right there >was FS: (file system switch) >>So what's the deal! MS decided they wanted to make it difficult to format >drives in something other than NTFS? The Admin Tools is NOT the place to >be hiding options from power users! What is this big brother garbage? (and this could be my bad here).

Am I wrong and FAT32 normally >is an available option in the GUI? I mean during XP install from the >Bootable XP disk you get the choice of FAT32 or NTFS. Is Fat32 no longer >an option once you've made your system disk NTFS? Is FAT32 not an option >because my drive is on USB and not directly sitting on the IDE ribbon? Is >the 120GB drive too big for FAT32, and the Admin Tool knew something that >the command window didn't? >>Thanks in advance, >Ethan >>>>-- >To e-mail me, replace '_nospamtoday_' with the '@' symbol when replying to >my address. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () See if there is a simple patch for your Mac, to work with NTFS.

'hupjack' wrote in message news:quednYsCj7qN3yjcRVn-iA@comcast.com. >So I've got a nice big HD in an external USB2.0/Firewire Combo Case, and I >want to use it with BOTH my Mac and PC. The Mac is running the latest >10.3.x, and the PC is totally windows updated (XP SP2 + hotfixes). >>To the best of my knowledge, the only format that will work cross platform >without any additional software is FAT32. Having plugged the drive into >my PC, I was shocked to see in Admin Tools - Disk Management, only one >option in the partition / format wizard. NTFS or NTFS!

>>Knowing full well that Microsoft hadn't eliminated support for FAT32, I >opened a command window and typed format /? And sure enough, right there >was FS: (file system switch) >>So what's the deal! MS decided they wanted to make it difficult to format >drives in something other than NTFS? The Admin Tools is NOT the place to >be hiding options from power users! What is this big brother garbage? (and this could be my bad here). Am I wrong and FAT32 normally >is an available option in the GUI?

I mean during XP install from the >Bootable XP disk you get the choice of FAT32 or NTFS. Is Fat32 no longer >an option once you've made your system disk NTFS?

Is FAT32 not an option >because my drive is on USB and not directly sitting on the IDE ribbon? Is >the 120GB drive too big for FAT32, and the Admin Tool knew something that >the command window didn't? >>Thanks in advance, >Ethan >>>>-- >To e-mail me, replace '_nospamtoday_' with the '@' symbol when replying to >my address. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () hupjack wrote: >So I've got a nice big HD in an external USB2.0/Firewire Combo Case, >and I want to use it with BOTH my Mac and PC.

The Mac is running the >latest 10.3.x, and the PC is totally windows updated (XP SP2 + hotfixes). >>To the best of my knowledge, the only format that will work cross >platform without any additional software is FAT32.

Having plugged >the drive into my PC, I was shocked to see in Admin Tools - Disk >Management, only one option in the partition / format wizard. NTFS >or NTFS! >Knowing full well that Microsoft hadn't eliminated support for FAT32, >I opened a command window and typed format /?

And sure enough, right >there was FS: (file system switch) >>So what's the deal! MS decided they wanted to make it difficult to >format drives in something other than NTFS? The Admin Tools is NOT >the place to be hiding options from power users! What is this big >brother garbage? (and this could be my bad here). Am I wrong and FAT32 >normally is an available option in the GUI? I mean during XP install >from the Bootable XP disk you get the choice of FAT32 or NTFS.

Is >Fat32 no longer an option once you've made your system disk NTFS? Is >FAT32 not an option because my drive is on USB and not directly >sitting on the IDE ribbon? Is the 120GB drive too big for FAT32, and >the Admin Tool knew something that the command window didn't? A little self-research would have answered all of your questions. FAT32 is still supported but Windows XP will only format up to 32GB partitions with it.

In order to format a larger partition FAT32, you must use some other method. One such method to be considered could be: You macintosh can do it, luckily you have OSX 10.3, so you shouldn't run into any problems. (you didn't know your Macinstosh could format FAT32?!) -- -- The information is provided 'as is', it is suggested you research for yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Know what you are getting into before you jump in with both feet. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage, microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () Thanks ya'all for the responses. I did do research, I just posted a bit of a gripe at the same time.

Shortly after posting, I found the 32GB Win2K/XP formatting limit in the knowledge base. I also know that my Mac can format in Fat32, though it took me some time to figure out that MS-Dos Format was identical to FAT32. Frankly I find it absurd that my Mac can prepare the drive with the most broadly used PC format more flexibly than my flagship windows XP machine. It appears that MS made the decision to minimize Fat32 formatting support in WinXP. Why on earth should I have to resort to a 1.44 MB floppy disk, when I'm sitting here booted from the all powerful Windows XP?!? Talk about lousy backwards compatibility.

I feel I shouldn't have to break out that windows 98 boot disk for something like this. I've been very happy with Win XP, but this is absurd. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () Ethan Lipman wrote: >Thanks ya'all for the responses. I did do research, I just posted a >bit of a gripe at the same time. Shortly after posting, I found the >32GB Win2K/XP formatting limit in the knowledge base.

>>I also know that my Mac can format in Fat32, though it took me some >time to figure out that MS-Dos Format was identical to FAT32. >>Frankly I find it absurd that my Mac can prepare the drive with the >most broadly used PC format more flexibly than my flagship windows XP >machine. It appears that MS made the decision to minimize Fat32 >formatting support in WinXP. Download Free A Certain Ratio Shack Up Rar more.

Why on earth should I have to resort to >a >1.44 MB floppy disk, when I'm sitting here booted from the all >powerful Windows XP?!? Talk about lousy backwards compatibility. >I feel I shouldn't have to break out that windows 98 boot disk for >something like this. I've been very happy with Win XP, but this is >absurd. Format larger than 32GB FAT32 within Windows XP with this utility: -- -- The information is provided 'as is', it is suggested you research for yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Know what you are getting into before you jump in with both feet. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () XP will refuse to format a partition larger than 32 Gig as FAT32, but it will happily use such a partition, if you format it without XP.

If you have a MAC, can that do it? Any PC running 98 or ME, with USB should be able to do it. However, I am usure whether 98 or ME can handle a really large hard drive (>127 Gig), since XP (original) could not handle that. Or, try a non-Microsoft solution: Partition Magic or similar partitioning tool. 'hupjack' wrote in message news:quednYsCj7qN3yjcRVn-iA@comcast.com. >So I've got a nice big HD in an external USB2.0/Firewire Combo Case, and I >want to use it with BOTH my Mac and PC.

The Mac is running the latest >10.3.x, and the PC is totally windows updated (XP SP2 + hotfixes). >>To the best of my knowledge, the only format that will work cross platform >without any additional software is FAT32. Having plugged the drive into >my PC, I was shocked to see in Admin Tools - Disk Management, only one >option in the partition / format wizard.

NTFS or NTFS! >>Knowing full well that Microsoft hadn't eliminated support for FAT32, I >opened a command window and typed format /? And sure enough, right there >was FS: (file system switch) >>So what's the deal! MS decided they wanted to make it difficult to format >drives in something other than NTFS?

The Admin Tools is NOT the place to >be hiding options from power users! What is this big brother garbage? (and this could be my bad here).

Am I wrong and FAT32 normally >is an available option in the GUI? I mean during XP install from the >Bootable XP disk you get the choice of FAT32 or NTFS. Is Fat32 no longer >an option once you've made your system disk NTFS? Is FAT32 not an option >because my drive is on USB and not directly sitting on the IDE ribbon? Is >the 120GB drive too big for FAT32, and the Admin Tool knew something that >the command window didn't? >>Thanks in advance, >Ethan >>>>-- >To e-mail me, replace '_nospamtoday_' with the '@' symbol when replying to >my address.. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () (Shenan responding to a query as to how to create FAT32 partitions greater than 32 GB).

'Shenan Stanley' wrote in message news:eWlCtPJ3EHA.2600@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl. >Format larger than 32GB FAT32 within Windows XP with this utility: >>>-- >Shenan: Many thanks for bringing this program to my attention. It's a Godsend and one that we've been searching for for some time. Its crucial advantage is the ability to create and format partitions greater than 32 GB on USB external hard drives and to do so (in effect) within the XP environment - something that we've never been able to do until now with this program. Thanks again. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () You could just yank the drive and install it as a slave in your pc, boot from a dos disk and format. 'hupjack' wrote in message news:quednYsCj7qN3yjcRVn-iA@comcast.com.

So I've got a nice big HD in an external USB2.0/Firewire Combo Case, and I want to use it with BOTH my Mac and PC. The Mac is running the latest 10.3.x, and the PC is totally windows updated (XP SP2 + hotfixes). To the best of my knowledge, the only format that will work cross platform without any additional software is FAT32. Having plugged the drive into my PC, I was shocked to see in Admin Tools - Disk Management, only one option in the partition / format wizard. NTFS or NTFS! Knowing full well that Microsoft hadn't eliminated support for FAT32, I opened a command window and typed format /? And sure enough, right there was FS: (file system switch) So what's the deal!

MS decided they wanted to make it difficult to format drives in something other than NTFS? The Admin Tools is NOT the place to be hiding options from power users! What is this big brother garbage? (and this could be my bad here). Am I wrong and FAT32 normally is an available option in the GUI? I mean during XP install from the Bootable XP disk you get the choice of FAT32 or NTFS. Is Fat32 no longer an option once you've made your system disk NTFS?

Is FAT32 not an option because my drive is on USB and not directly sitting on the IDE ribbon? Is the 120GB drive too big for FAT32, and the Admin Tool knew something that the command window didn't? Thanks in advance, Ethan -- To e-mail me, replace '_nospamtoday_' with the '@' symbol when replying to my address.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () I think it's wise for Microsoft to limit the FAT32 with Win XP. NTFS is really a better formatting system then FAT32 'Ethan Lipman' wrote in message news.020@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com.

>Thanks ya'all for the responses. I did do research, I just posted a >bit of a gripe at the same time. Shortly after posting, I found the >32GB Win2K/XP formatting limit in the knowledge base.

>>I also know that my Mac can format in Fat32, though it took me some >time to figure out that MS-Dos Format was identical to FAT32. >>Frankly I find it absurd that my Mac can prepare the drive with the >most broadly used PC format more flexibly than my flagship windows XP >machine.

It appears that MS made the decision to minimize Fat32 >formatting support in WinXP. Why on earth should I have to resort to a >1.44 MB floppy disk, when I'm sitting here booted from the all powerful >Windows XP?!? Talk about lousy backwards compatibility. I feel I >shouldn't have to break out that windows 98 boot disk for something >like this. I've been very happy with Win XP, but this is absurd.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 20:03:55 GMT, 'Tod' >I think it's wise for Microsoft to limit the FAT32 with Win XP. >NTFS is really a better formatting system then FAT32 Pity the maintenance options are so poor. I'd rather have recoverable data that I can virus-scan on a 120G FAT32, than a crater where a 120G NTFS volume used to be, thanks. >--------------- ---- --- -- - - - - I'm baaaack! >--------------- ---- --- -- - -. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () Microsoft did not force anyone to do anything.

Besides, why would Microsoft care about being more 'Mac' compatible. What is stopping Apple from adding NTFS support? 'BR549' wrote in message news:6Gttd.73093$Oc.68405@tornado.tampabay.rr.com.

>'Tod' wrote in message >news:L0otd.624549$mD.358811@attbi_s02. >I think it's wise for Microsoft to limit the FAT32 with Win XP. >NTFS is really a better formatting system then FAT32 >>>Not when you want to use the external disk on a Mac.

There is no logical >reason for Microsoft to put any such limitation on what a user wants to do >with his disk. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () NTFS is not necessarily better, it is just that the cluster size limitations of FAT32. A big HDD would have humongous cluster size. This leads to slack loss. 'Tod' wrote in message news:L0otd.624549$mD.358811@attbi_s02. >I think it's wise for Microsoft to limit the FAT32 with Win XP. >NTFS is really a better formatting system then FAT32 >>'Ethan Lipman' wrote in message >news.020@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com.

>>Thanks ya'all for the responses. I did do research, I just posted a >>bit of a gripe at the same time. Shortly after posting, I found the >>32GB Win2K/XP formatting limit in the knowledge base.

>>>>I also know that my Mac can format in Fat32, though it took me some >>time to figure out that MS-Dos Format was identical to FAT32. >>>>Frankly I find it absurd that my Mac can prepare the drive with the >>most broadly used PC format more flexibly than my flagship windows XP >>machine. It appears that MS made the decision to minimize Fat32 >>formatting support in WinXP. Why on earth should I have to resort to a >>1.44 MB floppy disk, when I'm sitting here booted from the all powerful >>Windows XP?!? Talk about lousy backwards compatibility.

I feel I >>shouldn't have to break out that windows 98 boot disk for something >>like this. I've been very happy with Win XP, but this is absurd. Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage,microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware () On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 14:00:08 -0500, 'BBUNNY' wrote: >NTFS is not necessarily better Big question that, as summed up here. >it is just that the cluster size limitations of FAT32. >A big HDD would have humongous cluster size. >This leads to slack loss.

This is true, but easily mitigated through intelligent partitioning (that also brings other benefits). Kanda Naal Mudhal Film Free Download there. The capacity loss is IMO not that big a deal, but the performance hit of transferring a full cluster for every small file processed may be. What small files are you likely to access often? Temp, TIF and bits of system code, mostly. By locating those in a 4k-cluster FAT32 C: of no more than 8G, you can have that benefit on a 200G HD. The big joy with this is whenever you have to wait for C: to be checked after a bad exit.

Only 8G, rather than 200G, to check. >------------ ----- ---- --- -- - - - - Our senses are our UI to reality >------------ ----- ---- --- -- - -.