1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Change NTFS Drive to FAT32 on Windows XP Professional

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by dbowdit, 2005/07/18.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. 2005/07/18
    dbowdit

    dbowdit Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/05/20
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    I see much info on going from FAT32 to NTFS. I need to go the other way. I have a Maxtor 300GB network connected drive wired to my wireless router. It has a USB port for connecting a second drive which shows up as a sub-directory on the first one but the second drive must be FAT32 to work.

    I want to plug another Maxtor 200GB external drive to that USB port. It's currently empty and formatted for NTFS. XP Drive Manager only let's me select NTFS when I try to re-format. FAT32 is not shown as an option. XP help also says it can only format FAT32 to a maximum of 32GB. Is there any way that I can -1) re-format the 200GB drive to FAT32 and -2) do so while enabling the full 200 GB capacity.

    Thanks,
    Dan
     
    dbowdit,
    #1
  2. 2005/07/19
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    Hi Dan,
    welcome to the Windows BBS ...... :) ...... !

    There is no way around the 32 GB limit for FAT32 partitions in Windows XP. Windows XP can mount larger volumes formated FAT32 but You will have to go get a Win98 or WinME start disk and use FDISK to do get it formated.

    That can be a bit confusing since FDISK can only display sizes up to 64 GB and the sizes reported will not be correct but it should be OK.

    You'll have to delete the "non-DOS" partition (or how FDISK labels the existing NTFS partition), create an extended partition using all space, create a logical partition within the extended using all space and finally format it.

    If You don't manage to delete the existing NTFS partition using FDISK, download and add delpart.exe to the start disk. Caution: This tool is very powerful and if You make a mistake, it is irreversible. Make 200% sure that You are deleting the correct NTFS partition.

    HTH,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2005/07/20
    dbowdit

    dbowdit Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2005/05/20
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks for the response. I have a couple of other 100GB external drives that are already FAT32 but in firewire only enclosures. I think it will be easier to swap one of them for my 200GB drive which is the one in the USB enclosure and then use a 100GB instead.

    I guess a product like Partition Magic would also let me convert the 200GB drive but then I'd have to purchase it .. and it's probably better to keep the advantages of NTFS for the larger drive.

    Dan
     
    dbowdit,
    #3
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...