Changing NTFS to FAT32  |
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|  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.
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1.  rosdimy (2814)
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3 years ago
| |  It seems that there is an option or way to do so. Go to the link listed below.
http://www.thinkdigit.com...
I have not tried it before so I cannot say whether it works or not. Someone says that we can also use Partition Magic.
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| 2. Asylum (3592)
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3 years ago
| |  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.
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 TheNightFox (145)
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3 years ago
| | 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 (145)
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3 years ago
| | 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 (145)
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3 years ago
| | 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. | | | |
| Asylum (3592)
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3 years ago
| | I do not understand why it proved to be so problematic, but I did admit at the start that I had never actually tried this myself. Nevertheless, FAT32 is claimed to support drives up to 2 Tb.
As for the Linux driver, it is referred to and available at:
http://linux.softpedia.co...
although personally I would reformat the drive to establish the file format of my choice. | | | |
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| 3. AndrewFreyne (3911)
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3 years ago
| |  As far as I'm aware there is a piece of software called partition magic! I don't know if you've ever heard of this. Anyway, this enables you to create partitions, delete existing partitions and also make changes from NTFS to FAT32 and vice versa. This software is not free but I understand it is highly recommended! In my IT class our teacher gave it good recommendations and you can also do a google search on partition magic and you should be able to read reviews as well as make a purchase if you want to. I'm sorry that I'm not much help otherwise. Good luck. Oh by the way, if you do use partition magic, as always, make sure you back up any important files and data, it's always best to be safe. Good luck. Andrew
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| TheNightFox (145)
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3 years ago
| | I just looked it up on Wikipedia, it's not compatible with Vista. Thanks anyway. | | | |
| Asylum (3592)
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3 years ago
| | I have always been averse to using third party partitioning software, but the suggestion brings an obvious thought to mind. Deleting and recreating the partition is a very good approach, and the easiest way to do this would be via Linux rather than Windows. | | | |
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4.  cookiebaker (303)
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3 years ago
| |  yea just format the whole HDD using your linux Pc. that should work if not, then perform a google search
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5.  thedark (150)
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3 years ago
| | you can convert NTFS to FAT 32 by formatting your drive through linux. however, i do not recommend doing so as NTFS provides better security and management features than FAT32 | | | | | | |
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