what is the max storage limit of FAT32 HDD..does it depends on BIOS??

Answer 1

Depends on the Windows OS version. The limitation is by the OS and BIOS could be used to configure in addition to the OS:

From 1 source for Win 2000/XP:

Windows XP/2000 FAT32 Formatting Limit (Allensmith) -
"While the FAT32 file system can support drives up to a standard theoretical size of 2 terabytes, (it 'can' be jury-rigged under Windows Millennium Edition to support partitions of up to 8 TB), Windows 2000 Professional and XP Professional cannot FORMAT a volume larger than 32 GB in size using their native FAT32 file system.

"The FastFAT driver can mount and support volumes larger than 32 GB that use the FAT32 file system, such as those created locally by Windows 98 or ME in dual boot configuration, (subject to other limits listed here for Windows 98, ME and 2000 and here for Windows XP), but you cannot CREATE one using the Format tool from within either Windows 2000 Professional or XP Professional. If you attempt to format a FAT32 partition larger than 32 GB, the format fails near the end of the process with the following error message:


But the "normal" and realistic answer is from wikipedia.org:
Max Volume Size is 2 TB (with limitation on your HD, etc.) The link provides a chart on the matter

Answer 2

First of all, dbrhee, get your facts straight. On a NEW system, with a BIOS made to use with Windows XP, and large hard drives, Windows is what keeps you from being able to use huge drives. On an older system, it's the BIOS that causes the limitation, assuming it's got Windows XP. If it has Windows 95 or any version of Windows 98, then both the BIOS and Windows limit the size of your hard drive(s).

So, Windows 95 has a 64GB drive size limitation, Windows 98 has the same limitation, but you can download a file from Microsoft that allows Win 98 to be able to use 127GB partitions. Of course, you can use any size drive you want, as long as each partition is no larger than what your operating system and/or BIOS will allow. Anyway, here's a link that will explain it all to you: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Windows+98+hard+drive+size <---the first two links have all the information and links you'll need. Make sure you visit the second link, because it's got a link to a file you'll need to download, to let Windows 98 be able to use 127GB partitions.

Answer 3

My computer came with a FAT32, but now I don't have one! I accidently installed Windows on the FAT. I had two copies of Windows and had major issues. I ended up reformatting the whole things so I'd just have the one copy. I believe you can re-partition to adjust the size of the FAT, but I'm not sure why you would want to. Mine runs fine without it.

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table
windows can address up i think 400gb, before u need to start parition the hard drive.
the average max of hard drive for a home pc is 500gb.

it also depends on the bios as well how much it can address, but there is bios flash which upgrades the bios so larger hard drives can be used.

Answer 5

it depends on how much storage space hard disk has on it. it doesnt have any relation with the bios setup

Answer 6

deepends on the size of your hard drive and the stuff you have oin it. you are usually going to gain a lot of space though