External Hard Drive Re-format for Mac and PC?

Hi,
This is probably a simple enough question to be answered:
I want to format a new 1TB Hard drive so that it will work on both Mac and PC, I know FAT32 would work, but I need a format that will support files over 4gb (which FAT32 does not). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Also, whats the value in partitioning a 1TB into 2x 500GB, is this more stable, or is it a simple matter of better organization of files?
Thanks,
Phil.

want to format a new 1TB Hard drive so that it will work on both Mac and PC, I know FAT32 would work, but I need a format that will support files over 4gb (which FAT32 does not).
Your need to support files over 4GB and to be accessed by both Windows and OSx is the defining factor. You can format the drive in NTFS and have Windows access it directly and use [MacFuse|http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/34367] with OSx to read and write to that NTFS partition. More information on MacFuse is [Here|http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/how-to-read-and-write-ntfs-windows-pa rtition-on-mac-os-x.html]. The other option is to format the drive in HFS+ and access it directly from OSx and use [MacDrive|http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/13831] with Windows to read and write to that HFS partition.
MacFuse is Free while MacDrive will have to be bought for $49.95.
Also, whats the value in partitioning a 1TB into 2x 500GB, is this more stable, or is it a simple matter of better organization of files?
Its both. Think of a big text book without chapters. That would be your 1TB HD. Put some chapters/sections in it and the computer will take lesser time to access and process information. Defragmenting a HD should be easier at 500GB size than 1TB size.
Axel F.

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