Fat v NTFS – Forumite.site

This topic has 17 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 7 months ago by Richard.

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June 14, 2018 at 9:45 pm #21892
johnbarry
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@johnbarry
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Whilst browsing MyMemory I came across this, (Sonnics 320GB 2.5″ Portable External Hard Drive)

It says Formatted to FAT32 does that mean it will only allow upto 4GB file size

ie: my backup is will it go on the Portable External Hard Drive

It’s great being a Dad especially this week.

Cheers
John
June 14, 2018 at 10:25 pm #21894
Dave Rice
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@ricedg
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I’m sure my kids are signing the cards now ?…. seriously I couldn’t care less about these silly “days”.

Will it fit on a FAT32 drive? Depends on the application, but IIRC Windows backup will only save to a USB drive if it is formatted as NTFS.

Is that an issue? No, all you do is re-format as NTFS if you have to.
June 15, 2018 at 7:33 am #21902
johnbarry
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@johnbarry
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Thanks Dave NTFS it would be then.

Cheers
John
June 15, 2018 at 7:52 am #21904
Ed P
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@edps
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It is probably pre-formatted using Fat32 which is good for around 2Tbytes, exFat would take it up into the Petabyte range!. However NTFS is a better choice for your purposes.
June 15, 2018 at 5:34 pm #21931
Wheels-Of-Fire
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@grahamdearsley
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Yep go for NTFS on all your hard drives. If you did stick with FAT then your maximum FILE size will be 4GB as you suspected.
June 15, 2018 at 5:59 pm #21934
Wheels-Of-Fire
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@grahamdearsley
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Come to think of it, as this is a data drive, you may like to partition it as GPT too, even though its small. This gives one extra level of protection against drive failure because you get 2 copys of the GPT and Windows will use the second automatically if there is a problem with the first.
June 15, 2018 at 10:36 pm #21945
johnbarry
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@johnbarry
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Thanks Wheels

I think I can get my head round GPT, never heard of that before.

Cheers
John
June 16, 2018 at 4:32 pm #21972
Wheels-Of-Fire
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@grahamdearsley
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GPT is the Globally unique identifier Partition Table and it the modern replacement for the Master Boot Record (MBR). GPT has mainly been used on discs larger than 2TB but it has a few other advantages too. One thing is that every partition gets a GLOBALLY unique ID so if you move the disc to another PC there is no chance of a conflict. There is lots more you can read about it if your interested but ill happily answer questions too?
June 16, 2018 at 6:33 pm #21974
johnbarry
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@johnbarry
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Thanks for the explanation Graham, I did know of MBR so I see what you mean.

Cheers
John
August 12, 2018 at 8:06 am #24612
Wheels-Of-Fire
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@grahamdearsley
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For your usb sticks you may like exFat. Not quite as compatable as Fat but can do big files
August 12, 2018 at 10:43 am #24621
johnbarry
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@johnbarry
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Graham I have never tried exFat, I always think it may turn out like my X (wife)

She left me and went back to her X (husband) she left him again and is now with another. I dislike x

Cheers
John
August 12, 2018 at 6:12 pm #24631
Bob Williams
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@bullstuff2
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JB my German Ex was the daughter of an SS Concentration Camp Guard. He absolutely hated me and would read a newspaper when I walked in, ignoring me. One day I had enough: I smoked then. Produced my lighter and set fire to the newspaper. The relationship deteriorated from then on and she turned out to be just like daddy.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.
August 12, 2018 at 8:46 pm #24634
johnbarry
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@johnbarry
Forumite Points: 13
You know the score then Bob, at least you didn’t end up concentrated.

Cheers
John
August 13, 2018 at 2:02 pm #24646
Richard
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@sawboman
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Just a life test post, it is awfully quiet today or is everyone on the ‘wrong format’ today.
August 13, 2018 at 3:34 pm #24650
Bob Williams
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@bullstuff2
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Bad day for me. Brother has total Dementia, completely incontinent, knows no one at all, totally out of it. It’s his 89th birthday: I wish he would just go to sleep and not wake up. Unfortunately he suffers from the almost indestructible Williams constitution. We can undergo so many ops and medical problems, the engine just keeps running, even after the guidance system fails.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.
August 13, 2018 at 4:47 pm #24653
PlaneMan
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@planeman
Forumite Points: 196
That’s horrible Bob. You have my sympathy.

My mothers neighbor was heading down that road, lovely bloke. He drifted off in his sleep, I’m sure when he had a lucid moment he decided he’d had enough of being a burden on his wife and kids and ‘switched himself off’.
August 13, 2018 at 6:41 pm #24661
Bob Williams
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@bullstuff2
Forumite Points: 0
Thanks Nolan. I have lost 2 good mates to Alzheimers and Dementia over the last few years. We are living longer, but at what price? Know I have many medical problems, but just got to hope my marbles stay in the bag.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.
August 13, 2018 at 6:47 pm #24663
Richard
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@sawboman
Forumite Points: 16
Bob, That was the sort of thing no one wants to have to say or hear. I am sorry for you, your family and for your brother. While dementia come from different origins, the result is always unbearably awful. As you said the motor keeps going with no rhyme or reason, simply holding the inevitable at bay. I had close relatives go that way, slowly so I know how you likely feel, I am sorry.
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