HDD Formatting

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Ted Myers
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HDD Formatting

Post by Ted Myers »

Hello, I have a 500gb usb hard drive. I need to reformat it into FAT32 so it will work in my car radio. The only option is exFAT.
If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have NO luck at all.
Windows 11 Home 23H2 Laptop

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StuartR
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Re: HDD Formatting

Post by StuartR »

How to Format External Hard Drive to FAT32 in Windows says that the easiest way to do this is with the DOS command

Code: Select all

format /FS:FAT32 X:
(Replace X: with the current drive letter)
StuartR


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Ted Myers
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Re: HDD Formatting

Post by Ted Myers »

Thanks for your prompt reply. Will report back soon.

Ted.
If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have NO luck at all.
Windows 11 Home 23H2 Laptop

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Ted Myers
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Re: HDD Formatting

Post by Ted Myers »

I tried the DOS method first, it failed.
FS.png
As my drive is WD, I tried some of the suggestions in your link, but have not managed to do it yet,
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If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have NO luck at all.
Windows 11 Home 23H2 Laptop

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StuartR
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Re: HDD Formatting

Post by StuartR »

It may just be very slow, rather than failed. Try waiting for a VERY long time (up to a day).
StuartR


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Ted Myers
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Re: HDD Formatting

Post by Ted Myers »

It did complete its task in about 4.5 hours, that's when I got the failed message as hdd was too large.
Will continue next weekend.
If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have NO luck at all.
Windows 11 Home 23H2 Laptop

madman
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Re: HDD Formatting

Post by madman »

The maximum size that fat32 can use is 32gig You would have to re-partition the drive into 32g partitions

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Ted Myers
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Re: HDD Formatting

Post by Ted Myers »

Hi madman, I have given up on converting it to FAT32 as I have given it a new task that is compatible with NTFS.
Thanks anyway.
If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have NO luck at all.
Windows 11 Home 23H2 Laptop