Format a drive for NTFS?

dstranathandstranathan
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
Format a drive for NTFS?

I have a new, blank Lacie USB pocket drive on my 2k box for simple backups, etc. I want to format it to NTFS instead of the current FAT32. Can I do this from the command line using the "format" command? What is the syntax?



If not, is there a free PC tool that can do this?



Can I format an NTFS drive from OS X? Linux?



I want to see if I can read the NTFS drive on my Panther box too...



:0)

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 2
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    you can read NTFS formatted drives on 10.3, but i don't believe you can write to them. (although i could be wrong there)



    i don't know that you can format a drive ntfs on OSX, but if you have access to a win2k or XP machine you can format it NTFS via. the drive management utility.
  • Reply 2 of 2
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    Well, you can format the drive (using windows) to NTFS but you will only be able to read and write to the drive under Windows 2k or XP... when the drive is mounted under linux or OSX it will be read only.



    OSX will not be able to format it to NTFS. Linux has some tools but they are just in the testing phase... and from what I hear they lead to data coruption.



    There is a way to convert the drive from Fat to NTFS under Windows XP so you don't loose you data.



    You might want to keep it Fat. That way a Mac can write to it.



    Hope I was of some help.
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