How do I convert a HDD Media Player from being formatted in NTFS to FAT32?

Question

I just bought a 100gb Hard Disc Drive Multi-Media Player. In order to get it work properly and show files on a TV it is supposed to be formatted in FAT32. However, Windows XP only offered me the option to format in NTFS and I foolishly clicked 'ok'. The drive works fine on the PC but when connected to TV it states that it has no files on it. Can anyone tell me (in simple terms if possible), how I reformat it back into FAT32 in Windows XP (even though XP doesn't offer this option via the usual 'right click, select 'format' route')? I have no need to worry about losing data because I only put some files on it to test. I'll be happy simply to fully format it again. Thanks to anyone who can help me. Tony

Answer 1

Now what you stated cannot be just done in Microsoft Windows.

Someone responded to a related question with a Wiki that says Microsoft put an arbitrary format cap for FAT32 to 32 GB but it can read/write bigger FAT32 no problem. and I dealt NT since grade 11 I know you can't downgrade NTFS to FAT32.

The solution is a Live CD Linux disc called Puppy, hopefully you will figure out the rest of way because as an experienced user I do not memorize the parameters to the command "mkfs " I only know for sure it formats a 128 GB Windows XP recognizable FAT32 just fine, with the proper Chinese codepage no less.

Answer 2

Right click on My Computer and go to Manage. Go to Disk Management in the list on the left and see the hard drives/partitions on the right. Right click on the hard drive you want to format and choose Format. In the Format dialog box, under File System, select FAT32, click OK, and then click OK again.

Answer 3

1. With PowerQuest Partition Magic
2. Fdisk in DOS (but be carefull). Will need to boot from a bootable floppy or a bootable win98cd to do this

Answer 4

NTFS because if you're on NTFS, then it automatically supports FAT32 XP and Vista use NTFS if you still have FAT32, time to upgrade hope this helps!!