Convert NTFS to FAT32
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Convert NTFS to FAT32

  1. June 24th, 2009, 03:50 AM #1
    wallie
    wallie is offline Virtual Resident
    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Location
    Tyne&Wear UK
    Posts
    651

    Convert NTFS to FAT32

    I have an 256gb external hard drive formatted NTFS and I wish to reformat to FAT32.
    I am trying to do this using Partition Magic 8.0, which I have never used for quite a long time.
    Using this software i select the external drive which is a primary partition but when I select Convert the only options I get are Linux, Fat16 and Fat32 are greyed out.
    Any help on this appreciated.

    wallie
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. June 24th, 2009, 06:18 AM #2
    photolady's Avatar
    photolady
    photolady is offline Lifetime Friend of Site Staff
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    At my computer, cruising VDR and watching your back
    Posts
    23,412
    You can't convert from NTFS to FAT32, but if there is nothing on the drive, you can format it to FAT32. And you don't need Partition Magic to do this. You can use Disk Management in XP.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. June 24th, 2009, 06:59 AM #3
    Midknyte's Avatar
    Midknyte
    Midknyte is offline StArK RaVinG MOD
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Arkham Asylum, Cell 13
    Posts
    11,809
    Why are you trying to format such a large drive to FAT32 anyway? PM can convert NTFS to FAT32, but it's 5 years old. I hope you are aware of the 4GB file size limit. If your external has 4+GB files, that may prevent conversion to FAT32.

    XP will only allow creation of a 32GB FAT32 partition. Anything larger would require a third party partitioner. However, most will require a reformat rather than do a conversion. If formatting is ok, you can try Easeus or Paragon. Partition app links are in the Best of Data Storage link in my signature.
    Ultimate Boot CD 5 Guide
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. June 24th, 2009, 07:47 AM #4
    wallie
    wallie is offline Virtual Resident
    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Location
    Tyne&Wear UK
    Posts
    651
    The reason I want Fat32 is to download video files from a Humax HD recorder hard drive.
    The Humax only recognises Fat32 and Fat16.

    wallie
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. June 24th, 2009, 01:57 PM #5
    Midknyte's Avatar
    Midknyte
    Midknyte is offline StArK RaVinG MOD
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Arkham Asylum, Cell 13
    Posts
    11,809
    Humax HD recorder hard drive
    I figured as much. I was expecting you to say you had a PS3 or something.

    Do you need to convert or can you format the drive?
    Ultimate Boot CD 5 Guide
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. June 25th, 2009, 01:17 AM #6
    wallie
    wallie is offline Virtual Resident
    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Location
    Tyne&Wear UK
    Posts
    651
    As far as I know I cannot format the drive, so if I want to transfer data from it then I have to convert.
    I read on there forum that xp3 is the way to go, but I am not sure what that is or how to go about it.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. June 25th, 2009, 03:22 AM #7
    wallie
    wallie is offline Virtual Resident
    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Location
    Tyne&Wear UK
    Posts
    651
    That xp3 should of been ext3
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. June 25th, 2009, 03:33 AM #8
    Midknyte's Avatar
    Midknyte
    Midknyte is offline StArK RaVinG MOD
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Arkham Asylum, Cell 13
    Posts
    11,809
    That xp3 should of been ext3
    Why would you use a Linux file system on the drive? That would only make matters worse.

    As far as I know I cannot format the drive
    So that means there is data on there? Did you check the file sizes like I said?

    I never trust conversion operations anyway. I'd make a backup of the data no matter what you decide to do.
    Ultimate Boot CD 5 Guide
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules