Ubuntu
gnome-disk-utility package

What is the ideal scheme to be used while formatting an external hard drive?

Asked by akshay shah

When i try to format external hard disk using disk utility, it asks to select a scheme options are "Master boot record", "GUID PartitionTable", "Don't Partition", "Apple PArtition Map". Which one should i select? what's difference between them?

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu gnome-disk-utility Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
akshay shah
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

If you use gparted its a lot easier. Is the device to be used in a Windows PC too, or is it purely for Linux use?

Revision history for this message
ahambidge (ahambidge) said : 		#2

Hello,

You should install Gparted and format external drives and memory sticks as FAT32. This format is recognized by Linux and Windows.

Regards,

Allan :)

Revision history for this message
akshay shah (axe-s86) said : 		#3

FAT32/NTFS are both compatible with windows. that's not an issue, what is the scheme that i should ideally choose?

Device need not to be strictly windows compatible it can be only linux or it can be both Windows and linux compatible what are the options that i have in case of both?

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#4

NTFS is a robust file system. FAT32 is not robust atall and sudden power outages can harm the files. NTFS can be read by both OSes. If the device is flash based and ONLY for Linux then using Ext2 will make it last longer. If it is a platter based drive ONLY for Linux then use Ext4.

Revision history for this message
akshay shah (axe-s86) said : 		#5

That's cool. Thanks.