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Convert NTFS drive to FAT 32 - how?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by PeteC, 2002/12/19.

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  1. 2002/12/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    I have just built up an Image Tank with 40GB HDD for a friend - effectively a USB hard drive with the facility to copy image files from a digital camera. Win XP formatted it NTFS.

    I now find that the Image Tank must be formatted FAT 32 to read from Microdrive or CF cards which plug into it- pity that wasn't mentioned in the manual! It works fine as a removable drive, but that's not exactly the full idea here.

    How can I convert/reformat to FAT32 - WP gives no option other than NTFS (PC is NTFS) and drive is not seen by Partition Magic, even though the manual says that USB hard drives are recognised by Pro version.

    My only idea is to remove the drive from the Tank, plug it into the PC as another HDD which Partition Magic should then recognise and use PM to convert to FAT 32.

    Any suggestions? TIA
     
    PeteC,
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  2. 2002/12/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    To add to my last post my version of Partition Magic is not the Pro version, so that explains why PM does not see the drive.

    Another thought - I could connect the drive to a Win 88SE machine (via USB) and reformat the drive to FAT32 there. Good idea or not? Would save dismantling the Tank again.
     
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  4. 2002/12/19
    Zephyr

    Zephyr Inactive

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    PeteC

    I would think you could copy the USB drive's contents to your C:\ or whatever and then reformat the USB (selecting the FAT32 option this time) and then copy the data back. First, right click the drive and then click format and see if you are presented with the dual option NTFS or FAT32. That should verify that it's possible without a lot of grief. Cancel out and proceed.

    Even if XP refuses to do FAT32 on it (and it will if it's >32 Gigs), your PM will allow it. An alternate method is to use a ME boot disk and run format from it.

    Please See.

    Cheers! :)
     
    Last edited: 2002/12/19
    Zephyr,
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  5. 2002/12/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Zephyr

    Thanks for that - the drive is 40GB so Win XP will not format it to FAT32. There is no data on the drive. Seems like connecting the drive directly to the m/b will allow PM to format it as I don't have the Pro version. Alternatively the Start up disk method sounds good.

    I'll give it a try, but it won't be till after Christmas now - have a good one!

    Incidentally MS KB articles have dropped the Q prefix as of November sometime. but I found it OK.
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2002/12/19
    Zephyr

    Zephyr Inactive

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    Ok Pete, I'm sure that'll work for you. In fact, I think any boot disk for Win95b and above would do the job since it's just a matter of getting the right version of FDISK.

    Merry Christmas! :)
     
    Zephyr,
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  7. 2003/01/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi Zephyr,

    Plugged the drive into my second PC booted up to Win ME - formatted to FAT32 in no time at all.

    Thanks - and a happy New Year
     
    PeteC,
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  8. 2003/01/02
    Zephyr

    Zephyr Inactive

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    Thanks Pete, That's the way to start off a new year!

    Now I can tell you that I converted all my drives from NTFS to FAT 32 using PQ Partition Magic 2002 without a hitch. I have two physical drives and a total of 4 Logical (sometimes Illogical :D ) Drives and they were all in NTFS format. I just got tired of not being able to see them from an old time boot disk and be able to make repairs without all the limitations imposed by my OEM machine (no install disk supplied; so no Recovery Console; so no Backup utility) so I bit the bullet and converted them all. It went smooth as silk and I have never regretted it for a moment.

    I know there are opposing opinions about this but I like this way better. I'm fully aware of all the ramifications and I still like it better. :D
     
    Zephyr,
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