External HDD formatted FAT32

PuG106 · 26 Jan 2011 at 13:47

Hi Peeps, dont think ive posted in here before but any ways..

I formatted my brothers 500gb hdd using a program called SwiffKNife so its now using FAT32 so he can use it with xbox 360.

He has just realised the drive now says its only 100gb in size when right clicking\properties in my computer.

I've not tried to reformat it yet as I've not had time but will have a go tomorrow but i cant figure out why it has done this because i did the exact same thing with my drive for my PS3 and i only lost a few gigs worth of space which is normal.

Any ideas what might be the problem or what i have done wrong :confused:

Ta

Philtor · 26 Jan 2011 at 14:24

Did you partition the HDD? Sounds like you may have created a 100GB partition perhaps. I used Easeus partition master (free) on a mates HDD a while back when he needed it formatted as FAT32 and it worked a treat. Just a suggestion.

Ch3m1c4L · 26 Jan 2011 at 15:51

can just use windows to do it as well.....Most likely you just didnt create a full partition. look in the freeware software thread inthe windows andother software forum and it will link you to a load of free disk tools.

PuG106 · 26 Jan 2011 at 16:16

Yeah I was thinking perhaps thats what ive done but i cant remember.

Hmm i tried windows but i couldnt see an option in Xp to do it unless i was being dumb also tried the cmd command but this failed.

Cheers for the replies

Heatsinked · 26 Jan 2011 at 16:38

Had the same problem and had to try a different tool... can't remember what it was called but I'm sure Google will find it. Fat32formatter or something...

Ch3m1c4L · 26 Jan 2011 at 17:27

when formatting doesntxp have the option to change the file system from ntfs to fat32? im certain it does, but no way to check since i have only one machine on xp and its packed away since it doesnt work.

PuG106 · 27 Jan 2011 at 22:17

Ok I have ran a full format on the drive using FAT32 and it still shows the drive size as 100gb :confused:

You think if i change it back to NTFS it will go back to its normal 500gb size?

edit: Tried reformating it as NTFS and look to do it using windows but it says the capacity is 95~gb has any one else have this or no how to fix it or ill have to buy my bro a new drive

pepp77 · 27 Jan 2011 at 22:22

Heatsinked said:
Had the same problem and had to try a different tool... can't remember what it was called but I'm sure Google will find it. Fat32formatter or something...

Yep fat32formatter - perfect for the job, its what I have used for the last few years now with no issues.

Oh and others - directly in windows you can format in FAT32 but only to a maximum of 32GB a partition.

PuG106 · 27 Jan 2011 at 22:28

Ahhh just downloaded fat32formatter and that actually shows thats its a 500gb hdd thanks peeps stay clear of swissknife its shocking (although proably user error :rolleyes:

)

PuG106 · 28 Jan 2011 at 08:11

I had to leave fat32formatter running over night formatting the drive to fat32 as it was taking an age to run.

I have checked it this morning and it now says the file system is 'RAW' does this mean? is without any partitions, I'm at work now so wont have chance to have a look again until tonight.

Thanks

pepp77 · 28 Jan 2011 at 09:18

Definitely something wrong there then as it usually takes a maximum of about 30 seconds to format a drive for me.

PuG106 · 28 Jan 2011 at 09:27

pepp77 said:
Definitely something wrong there then as it usually takes a maximum of about 30 seconds to format a drive for me.

A quick format was rapid but i chose to do a full format and i was using the usb ports on the front of my pc which are not like the ones on the back if you know what i mean.