partition 2nd hard drive into a Mac and an NTFS partition

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partition 2nd hard drive into a Mac and an NTFS partition

I have Snow Leopard and Windows 7 installed on my iMac SSD through Book Camp. Apple says I can't partition my 2nd internal hard drive using Book Camp because I need NTFS and that has to be done through a disk utility on the Windows side. When I get to that point, I'm not sure how to handle it from the options presented. I just want about 20% partitioned/formatted as NTSF for Windows data and the rest to remain as it is for the Mac data. I'm afraid of messing up my Mac drive using the Windows disk utility. Please, please help!

iMac 27", Mac OS X (10.6.6), Internal 256gb SSD, 2tb HDD

Posted on Feb 17, 2011 4:17 PM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 17, 2011 5:11 PM in response to glenda509

You have other HFS+ volumes.

Create a FAT32 partition in Disk Utility, then use convert or format in Windows.

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Answer 2

glenda509 Author

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Feb 17, 2011 8:39 PM in response to The hatter

Oh, thank you for replying. Are you saying my Mac's internal hard drive (the one just for data) is an HFS+ drive already and I should create a FAT32 partition through Disk Utility when my Mac OS is active? And that I should then boot up Windows and format the second partition I created on the Mac side?

When I went to my computer just now to try out your suggestion to make a partition on the Mac side through Disk Utility, I could create "Mac HD 2" and "Mac HD 2.2". When I click on the "HD 2" the format option is grayed out, but on "HD 2.2" I can choose MS-DOS (FAT) or "ExFAT". Which choice to make? When I choose, do I then go to Windows and format the second partition for NTFS?

Please don't leave me hanging! Not trying to be "poor me," but I'm a 66-year-old seamstress who just wants to get the PC software to run her embroidery machine installed. So afraid I will mess my drive up! I've been trying to find an answer for a week. =(

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Answer 3

Jaygyver

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739 points

Feb 18, 2011 2:58 AM in response to glenda509

Have you been here yet?
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

It has the "Installation Guide", "FAQ", "Manuals", and others that might give you more info. You might read the "BootCamp Setup Guide" for Snow Leopard a few times just to familiarize yourself with it.

Is your 2nd internal HD blank now? Either way you should be able to do it.

Basically, just let Boot Camp/Windows do the partitioning for you. It should walk you through it. If it's an empty HD just let Boot Camp/Windows Erase/Partition and format it for you. You just need to know which partition is which when it comes time to "format" them.
Just make sure you don't accidentally pick your SSD HD by mistake!

It's been a while since I've done it on my computer, sorry.
I had a new empty HD when I did mine. You don't have to worry about messing it up that way. If I remember right I think Boot Camp will partition it first and then it turns it over to Windows to actually "format" it for the NTFS.

On my 1st drive I have the MAC OS on it and on my 2nd HD I have XP (NTSF) on one partition and Mac/Windows (storage {HFS+}) on the other. I have a Mac Pro tho.

Hope this helps....

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Answer 4

glenda509 Author

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Feb 18, 2011 5:41 AM in response to Jaygyver

Thank you! Your set-up is exactly what I want to do with my second hard drive (which is empty now and just as it came from Apple). I think I am asking if I can just Mac's "Disk Utility" to make 2 partitions on the data drive (as opposed to using Boot Camp to partition it). And what option do I choose for the Windows partition: MS-DOS (FAT) or ExFAT? There is no NTFS choice, so I assume I would make it NTFS after rebooting into Windows and using the Windows disk utility.

Sorry to be dense about this. I know it will seem easy once I understand! Thanks to everyone for their help.

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Answer 5

Star1

Level 2

465 points

Feb 18, 2011 12:13 PM in response to Jaygyver

Hi Jaygyver,
I think your answer is wrong for what she wants to accomplish:
Glenda wants to install (&/or already did) the windows on her SSD HD and then split her 2nd internal HD (I imagine in iMac) for storage for both mac files & windows file STORAGE.
So your advice for splitting the HD applies for her SSD (& installing the windows there), but for creating the storage on the 2nd HD use hatter's suggestion.
(Create FAT32 partition 20%, then when running in windows use appropriate utility change to NTFS).

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Answer 6

glenda509 Author

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Feb 18, 2011 12:32 PM in response to Star1

Yes, Star1, that is exactly what I am trying to accomplish (i.e., split 2nd internal HD in iMac for both Mac files and Windows files STORAGE).

My question now boils down to how do I create a FAT32 partition? Is this a process to do while I am booted up in Snow Leopard USING DISK UTILITY, NOT BOOT CAMP? While making the second partition, I choose a 20% FAT32 partition, then boot up into Windows and format my second partition as NTFS?

Thank you!

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Answer 7

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 18, 2011 12:35 PM in response to glenda509

I thought it was pretty simple.

Basics:

Boot Camp Assistant is only of use to split one drive for Mac OS X and allow installing Windows. With Windows 7 everything is easier.

For data drive:

If it is going to have a Mac partition (HFS) and something else, erase the drive if you have not, then choose number of partitions (1 or more).

You have to with Disk Utility choose "Ms-DOS" FAT32 and I don't see any reason to use exFAT and because you are just going to format it again in Windows anyway to NTFS.

The drive is empty, and if it had data, you should always have backups, external, and off line anyway at any and all times.

I'd double whatever you think you need; and plan to keep 1/3 to 1/2 free anyway. Maybe 250/750 split.

in Windows and I hope you are familiar with it, just control click "Computer" => Manage and then choose Storage => Disk Management where you will see your drives and partitions.

A. There is nothing to fear
B. Learn by doing
C. Always easier than what this thread has done!

I'm old fashioned, even after a life of 40+ yrs on computers $20-40 for books, manuals, references - that you have handy, able to answer and walk through, still make sense.

Which is why I recommend even long time Mac users to keep a copy (if only to loan out for pesky friends needing help) a copy of "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition" 950 pgs from David Pogue. And some pocket reference guides for Windows.

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Answer 8

glenda509 Author

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Feb 18, 2011 1:27 PM in response to The hatter

Thank you, Hatter. (I do apologize for making this task seem so complicated. Just know you are guiding someone who could probably be your grandmother and she has been worried sick over this!) I believe I can see my way through now. Once I learned to be in the Mac OS to make the partition and the Windows OS to change the partition to NTFS, the lightbulb turned on. It seems pretty simple now, sigh.

Thanks to all for your generosity.

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Answer 9

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 18, 2011 2:17 PM in response to glenda509

As I said, I've used computers for over 40 yrs, so you aren't more than a year or two older.

I just had to step back in, thought you would have stumbled upon and figured it out.

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Answer 10

Jaygyver

Level 3

739 points

Feb 18, 2011 2:28 PM in response to glenda509

Basically my setup is that same only I installed the Windows OS, so you'll be doing the same thing only NOT installing Windows.:)

You can't screw anything up permanently, just give it a try and just redo it if it didn't go right.
Again, just don't pick the SSD drive.

Fat32 can only have a 32gig partition so that's one of the reasons for going to NTFS.

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Answer 11

Star1

Level 2

465 points

Feb 18, 2011 4:05 PM in response to Jaygyver

Hi again Jaygyver,
don't forget that you can not use Boot Camp for any external hard drives, only the one where the OSX is installed.

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Answer 12

glenda509 Author

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Feb 18, 2011 5:44 PM in response to Star1

I DID IT! It seems so easy now. I don't know why it took me so long to see the light. Maybe it's that old "I'm slow to catch on, but when I catch on, I catch on fast!" When I saw my two partitions (the small one as an NTFS drive), I was thrilled.

THANK YOU ALL. If you lived nearby, I would monogram some towels for you with my brand new embroidery machine and my brand new monogramming software! Can't wait to get started. Thanks especially to Hatter for recommending "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition." I plan to get a copy right away.

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Answer 13

Jaygyver

Level 3

739 points

Feb 18, 2011 6:13 PM in response to Star1

Hey Star1,
Yeah, I know about the external limitations.;)
On a MP the HD you want to "install" Windows on has to be in the #1 slot. You can Boot from it in the #1, #2, #3 or #4 slot "after" it's done tho.

"""but I'm a 66-year-"YOUNG" seamstress who just wants to get the PC software to run her embroidery machine installed."""
I was kinda going by her second response as it sounded like she may have wanted to install Windows again so I left it as a neutral response, if she wanted it for storage or an OS install. I just gave my computer description as something to go by and to make sure she knew I "didn't" have an iMac like her.

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