Formatting a 4TB HDD as 1 MS-DOS partition

Question

tanyapixel Author

Level 1

8 points

Formatting a 4TB HDD as 1 MS-DOS partition

Hello, hoping someone can help!

I bought a Noontec V7 IIs media player, which supports up to 4TB internal sata HDD.

I am using a MacBook Pro with 10.11.5 El Capitan.

I have used media players before, and found they need to be formatted using MS-DOS or exFAT,

but I've never used a HDD above 2TB. I would prefer to have 1 partition with the full 4TB... but can't seem

to get it to work!

When I format using exFAT:

- takes VERY long to mount on the Mac, sometimes not at all

- all 4TB shows as available

- Noontec sees it, but not the files (.mp4/.avi etc) I copy to it

When I format using MS-DOS (GUID):

- Mounts on mac fast

- only 1.8TB shows (when erased/partitioned to 1)

- Noontec sees it as (C) and (D) drive – files copied to it (.mp4/.avi etc) play from (D)

Am I doing something wrong?! Should I partition into 2 x 2TB's?

Many thanks!

PowerBook, Astone AP-360T

Posted on Jun 26, 2016 4:38 PM

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Answer 1

jndupuis1

Level 2

462 points

Jun 26, 2016 4:56 PM in response to tanyapixel

Hi!

You format as MS-DOS (FAT32) MBR - Master Boot Record. Use all CAPS in your volume title with no spaces. MY_DOS for example, the under score is acceptable. It will take a while for 4 TB to format. Try the MBR MS-DOS formatting and then copy your files over to it. Noontec should see it.

Resort to 2 ea. 2 TB partitions in the same format if you have to.

Cheers!!

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Answer 2

tanyapixel Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 26, 2016 5:04 PM in response to jndupuis1

Thankyou – I'll give this a try tonight!

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Answer 3

jndupuis1

Level 2

462 points

Jun 26, 2016 5:13 PM in response to tanyapixel

Looking forward to positive results! 🙂

Cheers!!

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Answer 4

tanyapixel Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 27, 2016 1:10 AM in response to jndupuis1

Mmmm this isn't working. Gives me an error/failure message.

At the moment I've got it working as 2 x 2TB partitions, formatted MS-DOS (GUID).

It's just a bit clunky on the Noontec box – now there is (C), (D) and (E) drives listed!

No idea what (C) is for – as the D and E contain files and they are playing fine.

Would it be better to format this drive on a PC, then continue on my mac?

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Answer 5

jndupuis1

Level 2

462 points

Jun 27, 2016 7:28 PM in response to tanyapixel

Yes, if you have access to a PC it would be a good idea to download the Disk Tools from the manufacturer's website which will allow to format 4 TB HDD as MS-DOS(FAT32). On a PC the HD Tools will already be set up to format it as MBR. You may check on their website for Utilities that are compatible with MAC. The App Store just may have an HD Tool as well.

If it is Seagate - it will be SeaTools. WD has their own Disk Utility. Windows alone may or may not allow FAT32 format above 2 TB. I can't remember the exact size.

Cheers!!

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Answer 6

tanyapixel Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 27, 2016 7:42 PM in response to jndupuis1

THANKYOU – I also saw a post on another site about someone formatting for Noontec using NTFS. I know its not native to mac, but there is software available. Am wondering if this is a better option for a 4TB drive? I guess I might have to just try and see what works best. Worried about formatting the drive a number of times until I can't read it at all! Don't want to end up with a brick!

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Answer 7

jndupuis1

Level 2

462 points

Jun 28, 2016 3:31 AM in response to tanyapixel

You don't have to worry about bricking it right now. Yes, by all means, NTFS is fine. If the software you use that can prep the Hard Drive is Mac compatible will be even better. Just keep in mind that Macs alone cannot write or save files to an NTFS partition, Read-Only. Just keep in mind the Hard Drive Prep tools options that are available from the manufacturer and quite possibly NoonTec!

Cheers!!

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