Formatting NTFS ---> FAT32

You're welcome Golden. Please let us know how it went. :)

Mmmm...there is an issue:

Code:

 
Z:\>format z: /X /FS:FAT32 /Q
The type of the file system is NTFS.
The new file system is FAT32.
WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK
DRIVE Z: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)? y
QuickFormatting 476937M
Volume dismounted.  All opened handles to this volume are now invalid.
The volume is too big for FAT32.
Z:\>

I also tried using the /A:1024 switch but get this:

Code:

 
Z:\>format z: /X /FS:FAT32 /Q /A:1024
The type of the file system is NTFS.
The new file system is FAT32.
WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK
DRIVE Z: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)? y
QuickFormatting 476937M
Volume dismounted.  All opened handles to this volume are now invalid.
The specified cluster size is too small for FAT32.
Z:\>

Using A:/2048, A:/4092 or even A:/32K gives the same error.

The tool Clinkz linked to works great and gets the job done, but I'd like to understand where I am going wrong with the DOS command.

Regards,
Golden

Hello Golden,

It looks like you should have used the command below to have 4K as the cluster size (unit size) instead. A few items were out of order as well.

format z: /FS:FAT32 /Q /A:4096 /X

Thanks Brink. Mmmm....still a no-go apparently:

Code:

 
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.
C:\Users\Colin>z:
Z:\>format z: /FS:FAT32 /Q /A:4096 /X
The type of the file system is FAT32.
Enter current volume label for drive Z: USB Book
WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK
DRIVE Z: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)? y
QuickFormatting 476937M
Volume dismounted.  All opened handles to this volume are now invalid.
The specified cluster size is too small for FAT32.
Z:\>

It appears to be a limitation due to the size of the volume that only a 3rd party program can overcome.

No problems - thanks Brink.

For anyone else that may have this issue : use the 3rd pary application FAT32FORMAT as linked in Post #4 by Clinkz.