"Desktop"? OK in a external dock, thru USB? Can reformat to format exFAT? null

Question

bgstewart · Accepted Answer

This is a standard "Serial ATA" drive. They classify it as "desktop" drive because it is physically larger than the drives used in laptops and other smaller computers.

It could be used externally, if you provide an enclosure of a suitable size that has two things.
1. electronics to adapt Serial-ATA to USB
2. electronics to provide electric power in the right form (Drives like this consume more power than a USB connection can provide.)

You might be better off to buy an "External" drive. These have a disc drive already packaged in a protective enclosure with other elements required. The Seagate Backup Plus and Expansion drive products on the Best-Buy site are examples.

The drive can be reformatted for exFAT. You may have to install some optional software on your computer to do it. (That requirement applies with this drive or any other.)

nottoobad · Answer

should be able to format it to anything you like. they do work with external docks.

Donald · Answer

Yes to all

GothamTechnical · Answer

external POWER dock should be fine

I use NTFS partition types so NOT sure but it's is an option just never used it, why would you?

Nate · Answer

It's all one big problem...return it. Seaga has a problem right now and they are pulling these back because of partition problems.

ktubaugh · Answer

Yes, this drive works fine in an external dock. You can format it however you like. Your installed OS is the limiting factor.

Laura · Answer

I don't see a problem with any of these. I have mine formatted with exFAT, but I've not used a dock.

OldSarge · Answer

There are problems involved with installing a drive that may be larger than the system BIOS. Western Digital and Seagate should have instructions and drivers for your PC to recognize the drive as a 3 TB drive. With drives becoming larger (in 1983 a 10MB drive cost hundreds of dollars) now, only the latest PCs will be able to squeeze every drop of space out of those large drives. The rest of us will have to either switch the BIOS if possible or buy a new system. As for an external dock, it should work, however it's quite possible without a driver, the drive will not format to 3 TB. The documentation that came with the drive should explain drive formatting.
Concerning the USB, it's the same as an external drive in a dock.

Geekyboy · Answer

Not certain but I think it's too big for FAT. Need either a GOT partition or extended MBR with Seagate software. Check their website.

DRGARCIA · Answer

Antes disco duro, a veces uso USB, pero ahora uso Time Capsule para Mac.

“"Desktop"? OK in a external dock, thru USB? Can reformat to format exFAT?”

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