FAT32 Copying Speed...S-L-O-W

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Level 1

98 points

FAT32 Copying Speed...S-L-O-W

I've got a multimedia HD (LG HXF1) and it needs to be formatted as FAT32. So, I did so and the copying speed is amazingly slow. 5 hours for 8GB of data.

Are there any utilities or anything that I can use to speed it up? It's extremely impractical to copy files to it this way.

17-inch G4 PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Oct 17, 2009 1:10 PM

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Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Oct 17, 2009 3:15 PM in response to Graiai

The maximum possible size for a file on a FAT32 volume is 4 GB minus 1 byte (232−1 bytes). Video applications, large databases, and some other software easily exceed this limit.

It is strictly for users running Windows.

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Answer 2

Graiai Author

Level 1

98 points

Oct 17, 2009 3:27 PM in response to Klaus1

Articles all over the internet suggest that if you need a hard drive to work with Windows and Mac, you should format as FAT. So, why would this be recommended?

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Answer 3

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Oct 17, 2009 3:31 PM in response to Graiai

True, just reminding you of the limitations. 🙂

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Answer 4

Graiai Author

Level 1

98 points

Oct 17, 2009 3:35 PM in response to Klaus1

Right. But if they increased compatibility with FAT32 for Leopard and articles online are suggesting formatting this way, why would anyone accept these limitations?

There must be a way around this?

Anyone?

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Answer 5

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Oct 17, 2009 3:43 PM in response to Graiai

The best solution is to use a separate partition (formatted as FAT32) for Windows, and one for Leopard formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

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Answer 6

Graiai Author

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Oct 17, 2009 3:45 PM in response to Klaus1

As the media server has one piece of software that only works with NTSF or FAT32, that's not an option.

LG and several message boards are under a different impression than you...

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Answer 7

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Oct 17, 2009 3:51 PM in response to Graiai

Fine, then carry on as you are!

(No idea what/who LG is/are)

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Answer 8

Graiai Author

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Oct 17, 2009 3:56 PM in response to Klaus1

Major manufacturer of consumer electronics, computer monitors and peripherals, and phones.

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Answer 9

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Oct 17, 2009 4:04 PM in response to Graiai

Oh them!

They make Apple-compatible accessories?

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Answer 10

Graiai Author

Level 1

98 points

Oct 17, 2009 4:11 PM in response to Klaus1

That's what the box says. And the instructions.

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Answer 11

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Oct 17, 2009 4:34 PM in response to Graiai

So the LG is formatted as FAT32, but presumably your Mac hard drive is formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)?

How are the two connected? USB or Firewire?

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Answer 12

Graiai Author

Level 1

98 points

Oct 17, 2009 4:38 PM in response to Klaus1

They're connected by USB. Powerbook is formatted Mac OS Extended Journaled.

I think I'm going to just return this foul thing and get the WD TV HD. That one will use Mac OS Extended hard drives and it's only a converter. Not an entire hard drive. So it's extendable.

LG = Meh.

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Answer 13

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Oct 17, 2009 4:41 PM in response to Graiai

USB might explain it. Firewire is so much faster.

LG = Meh

Hey, they make great washing machines! 😀

(And, joking apart, great TVs)

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