NTFS to FAT32

kona786 · 27 Aug 2011 at 13:19

I need a program to convert my portable HDD from NTFS TO FAT32 - I'm on windows 7 (x86).

Can anyone recommend a free program?

kona786 · 27 Aug 2011 at 13:40

Idleman said:
Why not use windows format?

tried that but it only lets me convert to exFAT - Not FAT32

MagicBoy said:
To the best of my knowledge it can't be done whilst preserving the data. I wouldn't personally trust my data to a unproven third party utility. Back the data up and reformat the drive.

Why do you need to convert the drive? There's lots of limitations with FAT32 such as maximum file sizes and slack space due to large cluster sizes.

The HDD is new and empty - I need it to be FAT32 so it can be compatible with my PS3 and bluray player.

kona786 · 27 Aug 2011 at 14:15

CaptainCrash said:
Try fat32format - there's a GUI version if you don't like the command line, but it's pretty simple in itself (from an administrative command prompt: "fat32format x:")

does this work under windows 7?

EDIT - What allocation size should I choose?

EDIT: fat32format Doesn't work it seems - throwing up errors

kona786 · 27 Aug 2011 at 14:52

Idleman said:
http://www.pendriveapps.com/format-fat32-larger-than-32gb/

This app. reckons to be able to convert up to 2TB external drive.

tried that see above - xp only I think

kona786 · 27 Aug 2011 at 15:42

CaptainCrash said:
This seems to work OK, although the interface isn't the most intuitive I've ever used.

And the imaginery cookie goes to you

that program worked great - now running fat32 (640GB)

Cheers all.