HDD help

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by dsf4703, Oct 12, 2009.

  1. dsf4703

    dsf4703 Member

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    Hey guys, i loaded up my external HDD with pics, movies etc etc, when i plug the HDD into my DVD player or my PS3, neither recognise the HDD, i checked and the file format was NTFS, so i transfered all my media onto another HDD, formatted the original HDD then chenged the file format to exFAT(there were only 2 file types, NTFS and exFAT) so i loaded everything back onto my orginal HDD, and still nothing.

    Is there a way of installing FAT32 onto the HDD???
     
  2. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    use a win98 or winme bootdisk to partition & format the drive. any single file over 4 gigs in sze cannot be loaded onto a fat32 partition because of fat32 limitations.
     
  3. dsf4703

    dsf4703 Member

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    I use windows vista, will uing the win 98 boot disk change my stuff, how come vista cant change it! and also how do i partition it etc, as i have no idea hopw to do any of that, i know how to format the drive, but having to use the win98 stuff....im a noob :-s
     
  4. KillerBug

    KillerBug Active member

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    You can't use vista to do the format because microsoft is trying to force you into NTFS...they are real jerks like that.

    A windows 98 boot disk will not mess up your current install unless you specificly target your main hard drive.
     
  5. dsf4703

    dsf4703 Member

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    My bro-in-law still has a pc with windows 98 installed, what is it i have to do, like i said above, i havent a clue, Just a few pointers please guys! i dont understand what you mean when you say partitioning etc etc, if there is a tutorial or something could you link me please, much appriciated!

    Thanx
     
  6. reaching

    reaching Member

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    dsf4703,

    You have access to a working Win98 machine? That oughta do it!

    Only problem is--does it have a USB port? (Probably does, but not a sure bet with a 10-yr. old PC.) If it does, and Win98 can detect your external HDD, you're in business! Win98 doesn't use NTFS at all, so you can be sure it won't try to stick you with anything but FAT32.

    Just let Win98 detect the drive, and you may even get a prompt asking if you want to format it. If not, just right-click on the drive's icon and look for a "format" option (you may have to look under "Properties"). If Win98 doesn't detect the drive right away, you can try using "Detect New Hardware" under Control Panel.

    If for some reason that doesn't work (and I've had my share of things not working for me when I thought they should), you may be able to download a formatting program from your HDD manufacturer's website.

    BTW, I don't think you need to worry about re-partitioning the drive.
     
  7. dsf4703

    dsf4703 Member

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    Your a legend, Thank you, it worked great,
     
  8. scorpNZ

    scorpNZ Active member

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    At the site below they have a free for personal use partition magic,it'll save you having to use a win 98 machine or disk anytime you want to format,word of caution when a drive is formatted in ntfs it can't be converted back to fat without data loss,from fat to ntfs is ok,you should be able to burn the partition software to cd & use at as a live cd if you don't want to add more software or there's gparted also

    http://www.easeus.com/
     
  9. 1nsan3

    1nsan3 Regular member

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    There are a few Formatting programs out there that will format it to Fat32. I use MacDrive to format my external hdd's to hfs+ the xbox 360 see's it. So does my ps3. but you can only hook it back to to a pc that has Macdrive on it. since hfs is mac format. but HFS , the xbox 360 will see files over 4gigs!!! yay!!

    using a win98 boot disk is old news since there are alot of people that dont have windows 98 nor the time to waste to install 98 just to do that. alsoo alot of pcs now days dont even come with a floppy. ( you can download floppy drive emulators)

    But search around for formatiing software or partitioning software.. parition magic is touchy on vista. EASEUS Partition Master 4.0.1
     
  10. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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