Storage

[slpatters]

The Manual states the following, but the File System dropbox is grayed out and unchangeable:

To format a hard drive or array, select it from
the Target Disk drop box. Choose the file
system desired from the File System dropbox
(internal drives can only be formatted with XFS).
Note that FAT32 has a 4 gigabyte fi lesize limit
for individual fi les. If you choose FAT32 for your
fi le system, you will not be able to store single
fi les larger than 4 gigabytes on the drive. Use of
the XFS or EXT3 fi le systems is recommended.
Press Select Target Disk when done, and then
Start format. 

Also, what does the (internal drives can only be formatted with XFS) mean?  

[Jason]

Ok,

The drive can be reformatted in only a select few file systems. It needs to stay within those to function. NETWORK shares, DO NOT need to be on your computer's file system. File system IS an issue when a drive is DIRECTLY connected into your computer via usb, eSATA etc. Your drive is fine. You don't need to do anything with it. 

[slpatters]

The drive works for sharing most files, but not Mac OS library files.  I have a iPhoto library files that using iPhoto Library Manager can be shared if they are on my Mac, but as soon as I move them to the Linkstation Mini, they can't be shared.

[Banjo]

Well, I still don't understand what "internal drives can only be formatted with XFS" mean.

Sorry for my english (I'm italian), but this means drivers that are inside the Linkstation can only be formatted with XFS: but the manual says that they can be formatted also with EXT3 or FAT32 (???).

If I choose to use EXT3 filesystem, I will not able to re-formatting the Linkstation again? (In this case, is it only possible to return to XFS, destroying all data?) 

Any suggestion?

In your opinion, what is the best file system to use with this jewel? EXT3 or XFS?

Will Buffalotech support EXT4 and Torrent with a future firmware update?

Thanks!

Banjo

[Banjo]

Well, I have Pc with WinXp Pro 32, not Mac.

[Dustrega]

The Linkstation Mini you refer to is a NAS device that can only be formatted in XFS. There is not a way (without voiding your warranty) to format these devices and install firmware that will work with a file system such as NTFS for example. We do not receive information as to when the next firmware release will be nor what it will entail in functionality. We submit as much feedback as we can to our corporate office who then pass it along to software development who then implements fixes as they're scheduled. Also, in the future if you have a PC running a Windows OS please post in a thread that is relevant to your operating environment or create a new thread. Thank you :)

[Banjo]

Ok, thank you very much!

[rsmarg]

In OS X and higher:

1. Open Finder
2. Select main hard drive (likely Macintosh HD)
3. Select Applications
4. Select Utilities
5. Select Disc Utility
6. Find the Buffalo drive you're seeking to format.  Select top level (it will carry a generic name and total size of the drive.  There may be sub-volumes; select the highest level.  Mine read "931.5 GB BUFFALO External...)
7. In right field select the Partition tab
8. Under the Volume Scheme dropdown menu select "1 Partition"
9. Select the "Options" button
10. Select the "GUID Partition Table" radio button and hit OK
11. Back at main Disk Utility screen, give the drive a name if you so desire in the "Name" field
12. Under the "Format" dropdown menu select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
13. Hit Apply

You can verify if this worked by returning to the Finder.  The drive should appear in the left toolbar under Devices.  Highlight the drive and then select Command-I to get drive info.  Under "General" the Format field should read "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)."

Hope that helps.

[hyserure]

Thanks RSMARG, that was very helpful. Is it possible to format the Linkstation Live (LS-CH1.0TL) into TWO partitions? One with the standard formatting and one with Mac OS Extended (Journaled)? The reason is that I need to create a Mac partition on my drive but I do not want to lose all of the files that I already have saved on it. 

Do you know if this is possible and compatible using Mac's Disk Utility?

Thanks again!