Changing NTFS to FAT32
By TheNightFox
@TheNightFox (235)
New Zealand
December 31, 2009 9:18pm CST
I recently purchased a 1.5TB external HDD, but while copying files I found that it couldn't hold files larger then 4 gigs because it was FAT32. I converted it to NTFS, only to find the next day that I couldn't use it on my Linux laptop. This is highly frustrating, as I bought the HDD for use on both computers. Is there any way I can change it back to FAT32 without having to format it? I can delete the files that are larger then 4 gigs, but I don't want to have to copy several hundred gigs over again. If I absolutely have to format it, I will, but I'd prefer not to.
Thanks.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
1 Jan 10
I believe that this can be done via the Command window, but I do not really recommend it.
Open the Command by typing cmd into the run dialogue box and type
convert E: /fs:fat32
This is assuming that E is the drive letter for your external hard drive, otherwise use the appropriate letter. I have tried this but I have passed this information to a few friends in the past and nobody has said that it does not work.
Personally I would simply reformat and copy the data again, although the actual choice is your's.
As far as I can remember, Linux should read NTFS systems.
@TheNightFox (235)
• New Zealand
3 Jan 10
I just tried that and it said that convert is not available for NTFS drives. I also spent 18 hours yesterday having cmd formatting it, and it was supposed to convert it too, but when it finally got to 100%, it said this drive is too big for FAT32, which is stupid because it came as FAT32. I formatted it again this morning, not with cmd, but it's still NTFS.
Linux doesn't read NTFS.
@TheNightFox (235)
• New Zealand
3 Jan 10
I just looked it up then, apparently most Linux distributions have the NTFS-3G driver installed on them. I don't know why mine doesn't, but I'm going to see if I can get it.
@TheNightFox (235)
• New Zealand
3 Jan 10
This should be my final response to you...
Don't know what happened, but my laptop is now reading the external. It's still NTFS.
I don't know how that works, but it does.
Thanks a lot.
