How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

[Guest Jack]

Hello,

I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in FAT32.

XP Disk Management offers only NTSF format.

I know I can do that when booting to A:\ command prompt but I really would

like to do that from within Windows XP.

Is that possible?

Jack

[Guest Holz]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

On Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:55:58 -0500

"Jack" <replyto@it> wrote:

> Hello,

> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in

> FAT32. XP Disk Management offers only NTSF format.

> I know I can do that when booting to A:\ command prompt but I really

> would like to do that from within Windows XP.

> Is that possible?

> Jack

>

>

 

If the partition is over 32 GB then you can only do NTFS.

 

--

live, or leave & let live.

:-)

[Guest John John]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

The Windows XP Disk Management tool can only format drives to the FAT32

file system if they are 32GB or smaller, if the drive is bigger than

32GB you will have to use other tools to format it FAT32. Windows XP

will be able to mount a bigger than 32GB FAT32 drive, it just can't

format them.

 

John

 

Jack wrote:

> Hello,

> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in FAT32.

> XP Disk Management offers only NTSF format.

> I know I can do that when booting to A:\ command prompt but I really would

> like to do that from within Windows XP.

> Is that possible?

> Jack

>

>

[Guest Bill in Co.]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

Holz wrote:

> On Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:55:58 -0500

> "Jack" <replyto@it> wrote:

>

>> Hello,

>> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in

>> FAT32. XP Disk Management offers only NTSF format.

>> I know I can do that when booting to A:\ command prompt but I really

>> would like to do that from within Windows XP.

>> Is that possible?

>> Jack

>>

>

> If the partition is over 32 GB then you can only do NTFS.

 

Well, not quite - he can use a third party tool, like Partition Magic. So

that may be an option for him to consider.

But yeah, not with "XP Disk Management".

[Guest Uwe Sieber]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

Jack wrote:

> Hello,

> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in FAT32.

> XP Disk Management offers only NTSF format.

> I know I can do that when booting to A:\ command prompt but I really would

> like to do that from within Windows XP.

> Is that possible?

 

You need an external tool or different operating system:

http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html#format

 

Once formatted there is no problem with large FAT32 drives

under Windows.

 

 

Uwe

[Guest Edwin vMierlo [MVP]]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in FAT32.

 

May I ask why FAT32, what prevents you to format in NTFS ?

[Guest M.I.5¾]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

 

"Edwin vMierlo [MVP]" <EdwinvMierlo@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

message news:ezhm9HeeIHA.5164@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

>> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in FAT32.

>

> May I ask why FAT32, what prevents you to format in NTFS ?

>

 

This is a decision that Microsoft have taken to limit FAT32 partition sizes

to 32 Gb, and written the tool accordingly. Why they have taken this

decision is a good question.

[Guest Edwin vMierlo [MVP]]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

> >

> >> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in

FAT32.

> >

> > May I ask why FAT32, what prevents you to format in NTFS ?

> >

>

> This is a decision that Microsoft have taken to limit FAT32 partition

sizes

> to 32 Gb, and written the tool accordingly. Why they have taken this

> decision is a good question.

>

 

I know that

 

My question (to: Jack):

you want to format FAT32... why not NTFS ?

[Guest Tim Slattery]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

"Jack" <replyto@it> wrote:

>Hello,

>I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in FAT32.

>XP Disk Management offers only NTSF format.

 

Probably because the partition is larger than 32GB. WinXP won't create

a FAT32 partition larger than 32GB because NTFS is available and is a

MUCH better choice for such large partitions.

>I know I can do that when booting to A:\ command prompt but I really would

>like to do that from within Windows XP.

>Is that possible?

 

You can create such a partition by using 3rd party tools. BootitNG,

Partition magic, or (I think and depending on the size of the

partition) FDISK from Win98, which you can probably find on a Win98

boot disk at http://www.bootdisk.com. XP won't create a FAT32 partition that

large, but it will use one that's been created by other tools.

 

--

Tim Slattery

MS MVP(Shell/User)

Slattery_T@bls.gov

http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

[Guest Holz]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

On Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:15:49 -0700

"Bill in Co." <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Holz wrote:

> > On Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:55:58 -0500

> > "Jack" <replyto@it> wrote:

> >

> >> Hello,

> >> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in

> >> FAT32. XP Disk Management offers only NTSF format.

> >> I know I can do that when booting to A:\ command prompt but I

> >> really would like to do that from within Windows XP.

> >> Is that possible?

> >> Jack

> >>

> >

> > If the partition is over 32 GB then you can only do NTFS.

>

> Well, not quite - he can use a third party tool, like Partition

> Magic. So that may be an option for him to consider.

> But yeah, not with "XP Disk Management".

>

>

 

He is running XP. He can also do it with Linux, however NT might crash

on him.

 

--

live, or leave & let live.

:-)

[Guest Ian D]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

 

"Edwin vMierlo [MVP]" <EdwinvMierlo@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

message news:O$4XPrgeIHA.5348@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

>> >

>> >> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in

> FAT32.

>> >

>> > May I ask why FAT32, what prevents you to format in NTFS ?

>> >

>>

>> This is a decision that Microsoft have taken to limit FAT32 partition

> sizes

>> to 32 Gb, and written the tool accordingly. Why they have taken this

>> decision is a good question.

>>

>

> I know that

>

> My question (to: Jack):

> you want to format FAT32... why not NTFS ?

>

>

 

Maybe he wants a partition for files to share with Win98 or ME.

[Guest Jack]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

You may :)

I am using VPC (Virtual PC) and I am in need to to use ghost to restore very

old backup. It can be done only in DOS, and I am not sure whether NTSF

system allows me to access command prompt at bootup.

Does it?

Jack

 

"Edwin vMierlo [MVP]" <EdwinvMierlo@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

message news:ezhm9HeeIHA.5164@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

>> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in FAT32.

>

> May I ask why FAT32, what prevents you to format in NTFS ?

>

>

[Guest Edwin vMierlo [MVP]]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

 

"Jack" <replyto@it> wrote in message

news:ewp%23hjieIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> You may :)

> I am using VPC (Virtual PC) and I am in need to to use ghost to restore

very

> old backup. It can be done only in DOS, and I am not sure whether NTSF

> system allows me to access command prompt at bootup.

> Does it?

> Jack

>

 

that explains that !

 

well, you can create a partition larger or same size as your old back,

surely that is not larger than 32GB ... or is it ?

 

once you have created your partition under the 32GB limit, you should be

able to format FAT32

[Guest PD43]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

"Jack" <replyto@it> wrote:

 

>It can be done only in DOS, and I am not sure whether NTSF

>system allows me to access command prompt at bootup.

>Does it?

 

Nope. When you boot to DOS, it can't see an NTFS partition.

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

Or with a Mac.

 

"Ian D" <taurus@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:O4XwXbieIHA.6136@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

> "Edwin vMierlo [MVP]" <EdwinvMierlo@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

> message news:O$4XPrgeIHA.5348@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>

>>> >

>>> >> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in

>> FAT32.

>>> >

>>> > May I ask why FAT32, what prevents you to format in NTFS ?

>>> >

>>>

>>> This is a decision that Microsoft have taken to limit FAT32 partition

>> sizes

>>> to 32 Gb, and written the tool accordingly. Why they have taken this

>>> decision is a good question.

>>>

>>

>> I know that

>>

>> My question (to: Jack):

>> you want to format FAT32... why not NTFS ?

>>

>>

>

> Maybe he wants a partition for files to share with Win98 or ME.

>

[Guest Dave Cohen]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

Tim Slattery wrote:

> "Jack" <replyto@it> wrote:

>

>> Hello,

>> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in FAT32.

>> XP Disk Management offers only NTSF format.

>

> Probably because the partition is larger than 32GB. WinXP won't create

> a FAT32 partition larger than 32GB because NTFS is available and is a

> MUCH better choice for such large partitions.

>

>> I know I can do that when booting to A:\ command prompt but I really would

>> like to do that from within Windows XP.

>> Is that possible?

>

> You can create such a partition by using 3rd party tools. BootitNG,

> Partition magic, or (I think and depending on the size of the

> partition) FDISK from Win98, which you can probably find on a Win98

> boot disk at http://www.bootdisk.com. XP won't create a FAT32 partition that

> large, but it will use one that's been created by other tools.

>

And should you select the first option (Bootitng from

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com), install it, pay the modest registration fee

and live happily ever after.

Dave Cohen

[Guest Terry R.]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

The date and time was 2/28/2008 10:56 AM, and on a whim, Colin Barnhorst

pounded out on the keyboard:

> Or with a Mac.

 

???

>

> "Ian D" <taurus@nowhere.com> wrote in message

> news:O4XwXbieIHA.6136@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> "Edwin vMierlo [MVP]" <EdwinvMierlo@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>> message news:O$4XPrgeIHA.5348@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>>> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in

>>> FAT32.

>>>>> May I ask why FAT32, what prevents you to format in NTFS ?

>>>>>

>>>> This is a decision that Microsoft have taken to limit FAT32 partition

>>> sizes

>>>> to 32 Gb, and written the tool accordingly. Why they have taken this

>>>> decision is a good question.

>>>>

>>> I know that

>>>

>>> My question (to: Jack):

>>> you want to format FAT32... why not NTFS ?

>>>

>>>

>> Maybe he wants a partition for files to share with Win98 or ME.

>>

>

 

--

Terry R.

 

***Reply Note***

Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

[Guest Bill in Co.]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

PD43 wrote:

> "Jack" <replyto@it> wrote:

>

>

>> It can be done only in DOS, and I am not sure whether NTSF

>> system allows me to access command prompt at bootup.

>> Does it?

>

> Nope. When you boot to DOS, it can't see an NTFS partition.

 

Except with third party tools.

[Guest Anna]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

> PD43 wrote:

>> Nope. When you boot to DOS, it can't see an NTFS partition.

 

 

"Bill in Co." <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:OYxCtykeIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> Except with third party tools.

 

 

Well, PD43 (& Bill), not exactly...

 

A DOS boot disk, e.g., a Win9x/Me "Startup Disk", will "see" NTFS partitions

very well. At least for the most part. The *only* NTFS partitions it will

not recognize are those logical drives created in an extended partition.

Anna

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

If you want to share files on a system running both OS/X and Windows (for

example on a MacBook Pro like I have) you need to format the Windows drive

with FAT32. NTFS is read-only for OS/X.

 

"Terry R." <F1ComNOSPAM@pobox.com> wrote in message

news:uejcmdkeIHA.4312@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> The date and time was 2/28/2008 10:56 AM, and on a whim, Colin Barnhorst

> pounded out on the keyboard:

>

>> Or with a Mac.

>

> ???

>

>>

>> "Ian D" <taurus@nowhere.com> wrote in message

>> news:O4XwXbieIHA.6136@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>> "Edwin vMierlo [MVP]" <EdwinvMierlo@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>>> message news:O$4XPrgeIHA.5348@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>>>> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in

>>>> FAT32.

>>>>>> May I ask why FAT32, what prevents you to format in NTFS ?

>>>>>>

>>>>> This is a decision that Microsoft have taken to limit FAT32 partition

>>>> sizes

>>>>> to 32 Gb, and written the tool accordingly. Why they have taken this

>>>>> decision is a good question.

>>>>>

>>>> I know that

>>>>

>>>> My question (to: Jack):

>>>> you want to format FAT32... why not NTFS ?

>>>>

>>>>

>>> Maybe he wants a partition for files to share with Win98 or ME.

>>>

>>

>

> --

> Terry R.

>

> ***Reply Note***

> Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

> Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

[Guest PD43]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

"Bill in Co." <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

>> Nope. When you boot to DOS, it can't see an NTFS partition.

>

>Except with third party tools.

 

WHICH tools. PAY tools?

[Guest Bill in Co.]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

PD43 wrote:

> "Bill in Co." <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

>

>>> Nope. When you boot to DOS, it can't see an NTFS partition.

>>

>> Except with third party tools.

>

> WHICH tools. PAY tools?

 

Try NTFSDOS (or NTFSDOS30). Or NTFS4DOS (is different). Google it.

Both were free.

[Guest Bill in Co.]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

Anna wrote:

>> PD43 wrote:

>>> Nope. When you boot to DOS, it can't see an NTFS partition.

>

>

> "Bill in Co." <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote in message

> news:OYxCtykeIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> Except with third party tools.

>

>

> Well, PD43 (& Bill), not exactly...

>

> A DOS boot disk, e.g., a Win9x/Me "Startup Disk", will "see" NTFS

> partitions

> very well. At least for the most part. The *only* NTFS partitions it will

> not recognize are those logical drives created in an extended partition.

> Anna

 

Not on my system it doesn't.

Not unless I have NTFSDOS (or whatever) loaded. We must have different

systems. :-)

 

Besides which, AFAIK, it is impossible for DOS-based enviroment to see NTFS

partitions *unless* some NTFS driver has been loaded for it on that disk.

And it's not on a standard Win9x/DOS startup disk.

[Guest Terry R.]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

The date and time was 2/28/2008 2:08 PM, and on a whim, Colin Barnhorst

pounded out on the keyboard:

> If you want to share files on a system running both OS/X and Windows (for

> example on a MacBook Pro like I have) you need to format the Windows drive

> with FAT32. NTFS is read-only for OS/X.

>

> "Terry R." <F1ComNOSPAM@pobox.com> wrote in message

> news:uejcmdkeIHA.4312@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> The date and time was 2/28/2008 10:56 AM, and on a whim, Colin Barnhorst

>> pounded out on the keyboard:

>>

>>> Or with a Mac.

>> ???

>>

>>> "Ian D" <taurus@nowhere.com> wrote in message

>>> news:O4XwXbieIHA.6136@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>> "Edwin vMierlo [MVP]" <EdwinvMierlo@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>>>> message news:O$4XPrgeIHA.5348@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>>>>> I have unused partition on my drive C: and I need to format it in

>>>>> FAT32.

>>>>>>> May I ask why FAT32, what prevents you to format in NTFS ?

>>>>>>>

>>>>>> This is a decision that Microsoft have taken to limit FAT32 partition

>>>>> sizes

>>>>>> to 32 Gb, and written the tool accordingly. Why they have taken this

>>>>>> decision is a good question.

>>>>>>

>>>>> I know that

>>>>>

>>>>> My question (to: Jack):

>>>>> you want to format FAT32... why not NTFS ?

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>> Maybe he wants a partition for files to share with Win98 or ME.

>>>>

>

 

I've read Tiger has limited write capabilities (never tested it

personally) but users on a mixed network I admin don't seem to have

issues writing to the shared drives.

 

Have you tried any 3rd party solutions with any success?

http://www.ntfs-3g.org/

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/

 

 

--

Terry R.

 

***Reply Note***

Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

[Guest PD43]

Re: How to format FAT32 in Windows XP?

 

"Bill in Co." <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

>>> Except with third party tools.

>>

>> WHICH tools. PAY tools?

>

>Try NTFSDOS (or NTFSDOS30). Or NTFS4DOS (is different). Google it.

>Both were free.

 

Ain't nobody using that old crap anymore.

 

You just recently upgraded from 98SE, so maybe you don't know that.