USB Storage device formatting problem

thommotlr · 15 Jan 2011

Hello
First post from inexperienced...

I bought a new WD 500Gb usb device, wanted to format it to FAT32 so I could interface with PS3 and laptop with video etc.
like I said I am not all that experienced.. and looked on the web for help

ended up formatting it in DOS for 6 hrs for it to finish saying the volume was too big
i then tried to run FAT32 Formatter but it said the volume had collapsed and did i want to initialise? I said yes
since then i cannot read the drive, its like it doesn't exist any more, so cannot reformat back into any type let alone FAT32

I hope i have not ruined my new drive?

Will much appreciate any help

Thanks

Brink · 15 Jan 2011

Hello Thommotir, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Does it show up in Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc)? You may need to look at the size of the drive to tell if it didn't assign a drive letter for it.

If yes, then please post back a screenshot of your Disk Management, and we'll be happpy to see what we can do to help. :)

mjf · 15 Jan 2011

I would image your disk is recoverable with a few command prompt instructions and you probably can still have a FAT32 Partition provided it meets the size limitations for Fat32
Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP
If you are not comfortable with command prompts then I suggest you download the excellent and free Partition Wizard. It's good to have anyway.

Send your disk management screen shot as requested above.

thommotlr · 15 Jan 2011

Thank you so far
Attached is what i think is the correct disk management screen shot.
It does show the device. That's a relief anyway...

USB Storage device formatting problem-screenshot-disk-mgt-screen.png

Where to now?

Brink · 15 Jan 2011

Ok. That looks good. Your drive (Disk 1) is there as the "Unallocated" one.

You would just need to start at step 2 in OPTION ONE of the tutorial below to create a New Simple Volume with Disk 1 to have a drive letter assigned to it. Afterwards, it will show up in the Computer window. :)

Partition or Volume - Create New

mjf · 15 Jan 2011

You should still be able to create a FAT32 partition (under the 32GB limit) using Partition Wizard.

thommotlr · 16 Jan 2011

Thank you both very much for your help. I have my E Drive back, formatted NTFS.

That is a great relief!

I did want to format the whole disk into FAT32 so I could use it interchangeably between my laptop and PS3? I don't think a partition of 32Gb will be enough.
That's why i tried the format command in DOS, as per other advice, perhaps now I could try the FAT32Formatter do you think? I am not confident that it is the right choice.
Much appreciated again

Brink · 16 Jan 2011

Thommotir,

You will only be able to format a volume/partition or disk as FAT32 if it's no larger than 32 GB (32728 MB).

Since your disk is 465.73 GB is size, you could shrink it by 32728 MB to create a new 32 GB FAT32 partition from that unallocated space to use between your laptop and PS3.

mjf · 16 Jan 2011

You can partition up to 3 x 32GB FAT32 partitions with an extended partition containing as many logical partitions for other computing needs. Keep apply the Brink tutorial, shrinking 32GB each time. Disk Management will start making logical (NTFS) after that.

(I must admit I'm not into gaming PS3s etc. so the above suggestion may not provide anything for your PS3 needs)

thommotlr · 17 Jan 2011

Thank you very much Brink and mjf
I am enjoying the experience of partitioning my own drive!
I have played with and generated two 32Gb FAT32 volumes on my device and will try it now on the PS3

VERY much appreciate your prompts and helpful instruction
Thanks again