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I want to partition an external hard drive (3TB) into 3 even partitions. I want to use one for PC storage, one for Mac storage and the last for Mac backup. Is this possible and how do I do it?
MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9)
Hi P,
Yes, it's possible, but I suggest not puttiing your backup on the same drive as the original data. When that drive dies (not if, but when) you'll have lost all your data.
Drive Partition and Format
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Apply button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
7. Re-partition the drive to create the three partitions. The one you wish to use on a PC you should format MSDOS (FAT).
When you connect the drive to your PC it should have no problem reading the partition set up for a PC. Now while on the PC you may wish to consider reformatting that partition using ExFAT (if supported on your PC.) This format is more compatible with both OS X and NTSF supporting long file names and other FAT filesystem irregularities.
Here are directions for installing Bootcamp, which will allow you to boot into either Mac or Windows: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1461
Hey dear,
I am trying to partition my external hard disk as listed above.
I first formatted the disk on exFAT format, when I am trying to partition - under Edit option the Partition key appear as disabled. Can you please suggest why this was the case.
Use disk utility. The Mac backup partition must be formatted for "Mac OS Extended" so that Time Machine will use it. The data storage partitions can both be formatted Fat32 or ExFat. These file systems work just fine for storing information from either Windows or OS X. I found this info useful when I had the same question: http://www.howtogeek.com/235596/whats-the-difference-between-fat32-exfat-and-ntf s/
Partitioning an external hard drive for Mac and PC
