How Do I Format an External Hard Drive?

I Have an External Hard Drive i was using with my PC when i was using Pro Tools LE and now that I am using HD and Mac i need to Format it. I have been recording to the System Drive ( Which I know is a NO NO but just Temporarily ) i just wanted to make sure that there wasnt any damage to the data on the System drive when i format the External Drive. Do i just go to Disk Utility and select Erase. will this damage the Data on the System Drive? Thanks, Russell

APPLE's Disk utility is best, yes. format the external drive Extended (journaled). this will not hurt the system drive.

so do i just go the external Drive and select Erase with the Format MAC OS Extended ( Journeled ) or do i choose Partition with the same format and choose the Size Of The Partitions. Do i do the Erase and then Do the Partition Separate? I appologize for my Ignorance. Just never worked with MAC until Recently Thanks, Russell

Erase will create a partioion. How big is the drive? partition that sucker into a bunch of 20-30gb drivers. maybe some 10's as well. In my studio every client gets their own partition and I use the 10gb parititons for those 2-3 session jobbers.

rob, yes you have it right. just make sure you select the right one.... i personally don't partition drives. not saying it is wrong, just not my work style. clearly it is right for many. you have to decide for yourself.

Thanks A Bunch Guys!!!! I Just wanted to make sure i didnt erase anything i wasnt supposed to It Worked Great. Thanks, Russell