Formatting Your 20 Gig iPod for Maximum Space

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around formatting a 20 Gig iPod, specifically the first generation model, and the implications of changing its file system from FAT32 to NTFS. Participants explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a change, as well as related maintenance tasks like defragmentation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether it is advisable or possible to change the iPod's file system from FAT32 to NTFS and inquires about potential space benefits from such a change.
  • Another participant asserts that the iPod's firmware does not support NTFS, indicating that it is an Apple product and NTFS is a Microsoft filesystem.
  • It is mentioned that the iPod is designed to store relatively large files that do not require frequent movement or writing, suggesting minimal improvement from switching to a different filesystem.
  • A participant asks about the process of defragmenting the iPod and scanning for errors, seeking clarification on whether standard methods apply.
  • One response confirms that defragmentation can be performed on the iPod's hard drive, although the participant notes that the user may not notice any significant difference.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the benefits of changing the file system, as one participant argues against it due to firmware limitations, while another is uncertain about the effectiveness of defragmentation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the effectiveness of formatting options or the impact of defragmentation on the iPod's performance, leaving these points open to further exploration.

peejake
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Hi guys,

I have this question on my ipod that i have been wanting to ask for a while...Anyway here it is...I have a 20 Gig Ipod, i think its the 1st generation one since it is not a colour ipod. I have been using it for the past 2years and no prob wotsoever...Anyway i just decided to delete all the songs in my ipod and start all over again. Right now my ipod is formatted FAT32..Is it advisable/possible to change it to NTFS? If yes do i just right click on the ipod drive>properties> and format it to NTFS...Will i get better space results if i use this File System?

Formatting will erase everything including those important files in the ipod...Is this alright?

Thanks for any help..

Cheers
Jake
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Hey guys,

Come on! Does anyone know what I am talking about?

Thanks
 
The firmware does not understand NTFS, so it cannot be used. (It's an Apple product, after all, while NTFS is a Microsoft filesystem!)

Also, the iPod is intended to store relatively large files which don't need to be moved around and written to very much. This means there would be little improvement in moving from FAT to any other modern filesystem.

- Warren
 
Last edited:
chroot said:
The firmware does not understand NTFS, so it cannot be used. (It's an Apple product, after all, while NTFS is a Microsoft filesystem!)

Also, the iPod is intended to store relatively large files which don't need to be moved around and written to very much. This means there would be little improvement in moving from FAT to any other modern filesystem.

- Warren

Hey Warren,

Thanks for that great answer...I have another question regarding ipods...Is it alright to degragment the ipod and scan for errors just by going to the drive, right clicking on it going to properties and and scanning and defgramenting etc...?
 
Or is there another better way of doing this?

Thanks
Jake
 
Yes, you can defragment the iPod's hard drive just like any other. You may or may not notice any difference at all, though.

- Warren
 
chroot said:
Yes, you can defragment the iPod's hard drive just like any other. You may or may not notice any difference at all, though.

- Warren

Ok thanks a lot for your help...Appreciate it...

Jake
 

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