Thanks for the input. I created a LBA FAT 32 partition using cfdisk and then formated it with mkfs.vfat. Everything seems to be working fine. I will have access to a Microsoft laptop some time next week, I will test the hdd's compatibility then.
It should work. Usually it's the best solution to use linux to create the vfat filesystem. For Window$ it depends on the version of the OS which options you have available. It could be the case that on XP you will only be able to create partition types that won't be readable on Win95 or Win98. It appears that not all versions of the OS can read all of M$'s file systems and that even the recent versions cannot create all partition types. I don't remember the details, but with one of my usb disks I got a ca. 50 page booklet explaining howto create a partition/filesystem that is readable on other Window$es...
On a side note, does anybody have any recommendations on how-to spin down the hdd (as a user) prior to disconnecting it?
Well, I usually just unmount my usb disk and unplug it. It spins down alone, once it's off power. Is there something wrong with this?
Johannes