HDD formatting

[GerryB]

I have a vague recollection of reading a post on how to reduce the amount space given over to what I will call 'overhead' when first formatting an external HDD. I have just bought a 1.5TB drive and if the overhead is 10% then that is 150GB that will 'lost'.
Can anyone point me at the post as I cannot think of what key words to use in the search facility.
If not the post then any guidance on what steps are required would be appreciated.
A second question!
Can I apply the 'overhead' reducton to an existing drive which is formtted and holds data?
Many thanks,
Gerry

[Ron]

Never heard of this, Gerry. What is this "overhead" for? I would just format to 1.5TB and be done.

[GerryB]

Morning Ron,
I think this harks back to the early days of PCs, it is space set aside for the processor to move temp files back and forwards, I think. For me the loss of 150 GB is the equivalent of 10 hours or six rugby matches in the archive. My first external drive was 300GB which puts the numbers in perspective!!
Best wishes,
Gerry

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Here you go, Gerry:-

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3968

[GerryB]

Brilliant John,
Thanks very much.
Gerry

[Ron]

Apologies. Didn't realize you were alluding to System Restore. However, as you probably now know, you can do this after the drive has been formatted. And you can change it anytime you wish, even with existing data.

[GerryB]

No problem Ron, I only had a vague idea of the descripton I should use.
Gerry