Another to GPT or not question.

[golem]

I'm installing one 2TB (data only) drive internal and will be using a second 2TB external as a backup to it (not RAID). After researching all morning and reading MS's documents I'm still unsure if GPT would be advantageous.

Most of the heavily touted pluses of GPT are not applicable to my situation since -- The drive(s) is not over 2TB and I will only be using a single partition. My gray areas are whether GPT offers any additional crash (data loss) security and, can GPT be used on an external/detachable HD. MS docs state no under XP but I could not find any info related to Win7.

Cheers!

 

[eduede]

just depends on whether you want to boot from it

 

[Kirsch]

I'm installing one 2TB (data only) drive internal and will be using a second 2TB external as a backup to it (not RAID). After researching all morning and reading MS's documents I'm still unsure if GPT would be advantageous.

Most of the heavily touted pluses of GPT are not applicable to my situation since -- The drive(s) is not over 2TB and I will only be using a single partition. My gray areas are whether GPT offers any additional crash (data loss) security and, can GPT be used on an external/detachable HD. MS docs state no under XP but I could not find any info related to Win7.

Cheers!

You, my friend, use big words.

But I would agree with the previous post, depends on if you want to boot from it. If you are just gonna be using it as strictly a backup, dont worry about it.

 

[golem]

just depends on whether you want to boot from it

...depends on if you want to boot from it. If you are just gonna be using it as strictly a backup, dont worry about it.

Thanks for the replies but unfortunately your intent eludes me. I fear my brain is a wee bit slow this evening.

Since I'm definitely not using it as a boot drive (I'm 32-bit and not using any sort of sync) this means I can use either type of partitioning table. So, from your reply I take it you mean MFT if bootable and GPT being preferred if simply a data drive? If correct, are we saying there's IS an advantage in using GPT even considering my meager needs? And just to be sure, would it be safe using GPT on a detachable HD?

Really shouldn't fret much over this mole-hill but I was just thinking if GPT was to become the new standard shortly with the looming 3TB+ HD's I'd just get a jump on it, kind of build a comfort zone.

Cheers!