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    Formatting a Hard Disk on FAT32 Filesystem

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by mattireland, Dec 17, 2007.

  1. mattireland

    mattireland It used to be the iLand..

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    Hi!

    I was just wondering how I could format an external hard disk of about 131GB on the FAT 32 filesystem? I'm using both Windows XP (I know it officially can't be done using Disk Management but is there any other way?) and Ubuntu.

    Thanks very much,

    Matt. I
     
    mattireland, Dec 17, 2007
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  2. Metamorphical

    Metamorphical Good computer user

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    You can't change the format on a hard drive that has already been formatted with say NTFS. I think you need to start all over.
     
    Metamorphical, Dec 17, 2007
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  3. 640k

    640k Notebook Evangelist

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    640k, Dec 17, 2007
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  4. onion

    onion Notebook Consultant NBR Reviewer

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    He can make four 32gb partitions.....
     
    onion, Dec 17, 2007
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  5. mattireland

    mattireland It used to be the iLand..

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    Yes sorry if I made myself unclear... I want to start over and format it into FAT32 because I want to backup some stuff from OSX and some Linux stuff that won't support NTFS.

    EDIT: Disk management will not format a disk using the FAT32 filesystem if the partition size is over 32GB (which it is). Just wondering how I could get round this and format the disk (of size about 131GB into the FAT32 filesystem?) Hope I made myself clearer.....

    Thanks!
     
    mattireland, Dec 17, 2007
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  6. 640k

    640k Notebook Evangelist

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    Here's another article:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314463

    According to the article, the maximum disk size is technically 8TB. The challenge is finding a tool that can format that space.
     
    640k, Dec 17, 2007
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  7. mattireland

    mattireland It used to be the iLand..

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    Thanks!

    [QUOTE = "from article]You cannot format a volume larger than 32 gigabytes (GB) in size using the FAT32 file system during the Windows XP installation process. Windows XP can mount and support FAT32 volumes larger than 32 GB (subject to the other limits), but you cannot create a FAT32 volume larger than 32 GB by using the Format tool during Setup. If you need to format a volume that is larger than 32 GB, use the NTFS file system to format it. Another option is to start from a Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) Startup disk and use the Format tool included on the disk. [/QUOTE]

    Although I could do it from ME it would be a real hassle as I'd have to learn how to do it all over again e.t.c. - is there no way I can do it through Ubuntu or MS-DOS or somthing? Is there even a tool for Windows XP that someone could recommend?

    Thanks for your help so far............
     
    mattireland, Dec 17, 2007
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  8. 640k

    640k Notebook Evangelist

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    640k, Dec 17, 2007
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  9. mattireland

    mattireland It used to be the iLand..

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    ??? I've got Windows XP on my drive now and I want to format my external except disk manager won't let me do it in FAT32 because of it's size. Will creating a bootdisk help?

    Thanks very much for your help so far! I've given you some rep and your quite welcome to come round to my house for Christmas chocolates any time you want.
     
    mattireland, Dec 17, 2007
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  10. 640k

    640k Notebook Evangelist

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    Last time I googled directions to GB I had to swim across the ocean. I'll pass. LOL.

    Anyway, I think what you're missing here is taht you need to get to a Win98 or WinME DOS environment and use the command-line format utility. If you use a Win98 or WinME Startup disk, you'll get all sort of tools that should help.

    I'll be around if you're still having problems.
     
    640k, Dec 17, 2007
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  11. mattireland

    mattireland It used to be the iLand..

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    Thanks very, very much! I'll give it a try!
     
    mattireland, Dec 17, 2007
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