Computing.Net > Forums > Windows XP > Format Hard Drive

Computer Problems? Computing.Net has over 1,000,000 posts about all things technology related! Over 90% answered within 24 hours! Click here to start participating now! Also, be sure to check out the New User Guide.

Format Hard Drive

Reply to Message Icon

Name: sluytman
Date: December 16, 2007 at 18:33:00 Pacific
OS: XP
CPU/Ram: 1.8
Product: Gateway
Comment:

Hi,

I am wondering what I can use to create partitions in all formats(NTFS & FAT 16/32).

Not a OS disk, and something that will do
all Windows formats (for XP. Fat and NTFS).



Sponsored Link
Ads by Google

Response Number 1
Name: kx5m2g
Date: December 16, 2007 at 18:42:58 Pacific
Reply:

In XP-go to Control panel-Administrative Tools-Computer Management-Disk Management-then select the drive you want to format. of course, that will destroy any data you already have on the drive.


0

Response Number 2
Name: OtheHill
Date: December 16, 2007 at 18:48:44 Pacific
Reply:

You can format using any of those types. However the standards for FAT 16/32 are dependent on the partition size. FAT 16 is limited to a max. partition size of 2GB. Partitions larger than 32GB can't be formatted using FAT32 IF you format from within WinXP/2000. You can create a partition and mount it later usingan older OS. Best to use a boot manager is doing this.

Offhand I don't know of one tool that can format all 3 of those formats. Bootdisk.com may have something there that would do all but I'm guessing you would need more than one utility.

Partition and then format with the OS that is going to mount the partition.



0

Response Number 3
Name: Bobthearch
Date: December 16, 2007 at 21:17:28 Pacific
Reply:

I believe Seagate Disk Wizard can create and format FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS partitions. If you don't have a Seagate hard drive, perhaps your drive's manufacturer has a similar tool?


0

Response Number 4
Name: mosaddique
Date: December 17, 2007 at 01:02:08 Pacific
Reply:

Partition Magic (its not free) can format FAT16/32 and NTFS partitions.

XP is your best bet. However, note the 32 GB limitations imposed by WinXP (and Win2k) on FAT32 partition sizes as posted by OtheHill in his Response Number 2. Win98 / WinME boot disks do NOT impose this limit and neither does Partition Magic.

Also as OtheHill pointed out, there is a maximum size to FAT16 partitions which you cannot exceed.

kx5m2g in his Response Number 1 has explained how you can use WinXP to do this.


___________________________________________
When everything else fails, read the instructions.


0

Response Number 5
Name: per
Date: December 17, 2007 at 08:56:10 Pacific

Related Posts

See More



Response Number 6
Name: Bobthearch
Date: December 17, 2007 at 11:03:19 Pacific
Reply:

Ranish can ~not~ format NTFS partitions.


0

Response Number 7
Name: aegis
Date: December 17, 2007 at 12:41:15 Pacific
Reply:

I use windows for NTFS and a win98 startup floppy for FAT.


0

Sponsored Link
Ads by Google
Reply to Message Icon






Post Locked

This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.


Go to Windows XP Forum Home


Sponsored links

Ads by Google


Results for: Format Hard Drive

format hard drive, without floppy www.computing.net/answers/windows-xp/format-hard-drive-without-floppy/99056.html

formatting hard drive in XP www.computing.net/answers/windows-xp/formatting-hard-drive-in-xp/26495.html

formatting hard drive www.computing.net/answers/windows-xp/formatting-hard-drive-/45283.html