Converting large HDDs to FAT32

Soldato
Joined
30 Jul 2004
Posts
10,568
Location
East Sussex, UK
Morning guys,

I need to convert a 500GB hard drive into FAT32. So that I can connect it to my Xbox 360's USB port and watch all my movies off there. At the moment I am transferring off the drive to a small 120GB twhich is FAT32 and is working ok.

Any ideas?

( I don't have a PC so can't stream off there to the Xbox. Just have a laptop. )
 
I'm pretty certain they're not http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314463
Microsoft think 8tb maximum, but windows won't format them to larger than 32gb

A gparted livecd will certainly do this for you, but is perhaps a touch excessive

If by convert you mean change to fat32 without losing the data currently on it you have a rather tougher job ahead, its far easier to reformat then copy data back on. Safer too
 
I think FAT32 partition sizes are limited to 32GB.

they're usable in windows over 32gb, but it doesn't let you create them..


i thought I'd read that the commandline option worked, if not, then just use parted magic boot cd, gparted is on it.
 
Morning guys,

I need to convert a 500GB hard drive into FAT32. So that I can connect it to my Xbox 360's USB port and watch all my movies off there. At the moment I am transferring off the drive to a small 120GB twhich is FAT32 and is working ok.

Your best bet is to borrow another drive, back up, format your 500GB to FAT32 ( gparted ), copy the files back.

or

If your 500GB partition isn't full, you could try to shrink it, make a FAT32 partition in the freed space. Then, copy some files to the new FAT32 partition, delete the copied originals, enlarge the FAT32 partition.. repeat ad infinitum. However, there's a significant risk of data loss with this method e.g. power cut, shrink failing and causing corruption. It should only be used as a last resort.
 
I just use acronis disk director for such things

Its such a shame that xp wont let you format one more than 32G , I mean
why not ? It can read em , why not be able to set them up ???
Shakes fist at sky "Damn you bill gates!"
 
Back
Top Bottom