Maxblast or Win XP

**woodbutcher** · March 27th, 2003, 09:49 AM

I've been using XP pro for initial formatting and partitioning.
I've never used the maxblast software but I was reading thru the manual and noticed it said that to get the max capacity from the drive there software should be used.
Can anyone comment on this?

Also, a couple of ??? for people that do use Maxblast;

Does it allow you to format the disk as NTFS?
Can you set up partitions with Maxblast?
Does it install any 'spyware' as WD's utility can/does?

Thanks
WB

**PresterJohn** · March 27th, 2003, 10:09 AM

>but I was reading thru the manual and noticed it said that to get the max capacity from the drive there software should be used.

those claims about maxblast & max capacity are really for machines w/older BIOS that don;t support the large sizes.

if you have a bios that directly supports the large capacities, there is relatively little to be gained from using their software.

using the xp partitioning/format tool is the better way to go for you.

**woodbutcher** · March 27th, 2003, 10:34 AM

Thanks PJ,
See what happens when I read the instructions.

WB

**chris64** · March 28th, 2003, 12:23 AM

To answer a few of those questions:

Yes, maxblast can setup partitions

Yes, it can format NTFS

And for the last ? not sure but don't see how it could because when I ran maxblast(booted to CD) it didn't even have an OS on there. So probably no.

shahani · March 28th, 2003, 11:25 AM

Booting with Windows XP CD is the best way.

**Kuasimodem** · March 29th, 2003, 01:34 AM

Also, Maxblast chokes BIGTIME on RAID arrays

Found this out the hard way

XP Pro had no problems at all partitioning and formatting my RAID 0 array (161Gb total) and formatting in NTFS

**chris64** · March 29th, 2003, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by Kuasimodem
Also, Maxblast chokes BIGTIME on RAID arrays

Found this out the hard way

XP Pro had no problems at all partitioning and formatting my RAID 0 array (161Gb total) and formatting in NTFS

I don't think it is designed for RAID because RAID needs third party drivers to use correctly. Thats why if you install XP you have to load the RAID drivers before you install XP on the RAID array.

**i c roYal** · March 31st, 2003, 01:59 AM

when i format, i use the windows cds. When i need to partition, i use partion magics 2 bootable floppy disks. I don't bother with fdisk and DOS's version of formatting. I know there is a fix for fdisk at microsoft's website which i have, but format still has problems. Plus partitioning and formatting in partition magic take no time at all.

**woodbutcher** · March 31st, 2003, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the replies.
I have 2 computers to put together this week so I think i'll use maxblast on one and XP's tool on the other.
There both 40 gig Maxtors, I want to see if there is any difference in partition sizes, ease of use and the like.

WB

**chris64** · April 1st, 2003, 12:53 AM

Maxblast should be easier to use but you shouldn't experience any differences between the partions. Doesn't sound like your using raid so there shouldn't be a prob.

**PresterJohn** · April 1st, 2003, 01:01 AM

>Maxblast should be easier to use

maxblast is easier to use than the XP's gui tool?! point & click, right within the OS...what could be easier than that?

not to mention that the quick format option REALLY is fast esp on large partitions.