Re: [WinMac] Use PC formatted HD on Mac

Dan Schwartz(expresso[at]snip.net)
Sat, 09 Jan 1999 17:52:48 -0500

        Don't confuse formatting with initializing. Formatting is platform
independent, while initializing (for a new file system) is dependant on the
OS... And this initialization, or "high-level formatting," is where FAT16,
HFS, NTFS, or HFS Extended is created.

        Now, here is where terminology gets confusing: Some formatting software
refers to "initializing" as "formatting." In this case, initializing is
high-level formatting. Go figure.

        Low-level formatting is where a raw disk is broken down into cylinders and
sectors; and results in a loss of capacity. For example, a 2 MB floppy
formats out to 1.4 megabytes. Floppy disks are low-level formatted; while
hard disks are only low-level formatted at the factory.

        I hope this didn't confuse you even more!
        Cheers!
        Dan

At 05:06 PM 1/9/99 -0500, you wrote:
>I just bought a used Seagate Barracuda and it was originally formatted as a
>PC HD. I'm surprised to find out that I don't need to reformat the HD and
>it (4GB) shows up as one partition on my Mac. I'm wondering whether I
>should reformat it as a Mac HD since I can move between 2 platforms easier
>if it's formatted as PC. I know I won't be able to take advantage of HFS+
>or FAT32 in order to mount it on Mac. Any opinions and issues on whether I
>should reformat it?
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>
>Changhsu Liu
>cpl874@optimum.com
>
>
>
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