Formatting

[mr_banana_pants]

I'm trying to format my 500GB external HD into FAT32 so it can be read by my Xbox 360 when I start putting new data on it.

 

Theres no option to do it to FAT32 in windows, on NTFS. A friend of mine told me that Windows XP Pro doesn't allow you to do this.

 

I tried doing it via the Command Prompt but it gave me an error about volume. I'm not really sure I've done it right.

 

Can anyone help? Either with Command Prompt or suggest another way to do do it?

 

Thanks

[Guest Wolfeymole]

You cannot format using FAT32 on a 500GB drive Banana, end of story.

 

Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP

[mr_banana_pants]

You cannot format using FAT32 on a 500GB drive Banana, end of story.

 

Why is that? I have two drives exactly the same make and size. At one stage they were both FAT32. I had to format one, did it on another persons computer and did it as NTFS by mistake.

 

:confused:

[Guest Wolfeymole]

To quote Microsoft in my link;

 

"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. "

[mr_banana_pants]

To quote Microsoft in my link;

 

"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. "

 

Wolfeymole, I'm really sorry. I didn't see the link in your original post. I'm partially blind. Sorry

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Right I have found a link that seemingly will allow you to this, as you will see the scenario is based on a 250GB hard drive.

 

I would however strongly recommend against this course of action Banana.

 

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[mr_banana_pants]

It worked my friend. A thousand thank yous as always

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Well that's good to hear Banana. :)