FAT32 + 320GB does not work needed for mac

[germanjulian]

Hi,
I got a 320GB seagate (external) for my friend and she has some mac computer.
she said her computer could not read the drive so I figured it doesnt support NTFS. I tried formatting in Windows but Windows will not allow me to create one large FAT32 partition (max 30GB per partition for FAT32 I think) so I tired this workaround:

C:\Windows\system32>format j: /fs:fat32 /a:32k
The type of the file system is NTFS.
The new file system is FAT32.
Enter current volume label for drive J: New Volume

WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK
DRIVE J: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)? y
Formatting 305243M
The specified cluster size is too small for FAT32.

C:\Windows\system32>

which you can see gave me a nice error message :bang head

How I get this HD formatted so both windows and mac can read it? :confused:

[thideras]

You can format bigger than 30gb per partition for a HDD...

I have a 250gb external that I formatted to FAT32...I believe the limit on size is 2tb.

I can't think of why it won't let you format it larger than that, what OS?

[conway]

Can you not create a fat32 partition from the Mac? If not, there are plenty of disk utility apps you can use, including free ones like any linux livecd that has gparted on it.

[conway]

You can format bigger than 30gb per partition for a HDD...

I have a 250gb external that I formatted to FAT32...I believe the limit on size is 2tb.

I can't think of why it won't let you format it larger than that, what OS?

It's an XP(and I'm guessing Visturd) "limit".

[aja]

You can format bigger than 30gb per partition for a HDD...

I have a 250gb external that I formatted to FAT32...I believe the limit on size is 2tb.

I can't think of why it won't let you format it larger than that, what OS?

Windows XP or Vista built in format does not let you format any partition bigger than 32gig in FAT32 - you have to use other software.

EDIT: disregard

@OP

how to format the drive for mac (https://iomega-na-en.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/iomega_na_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=16551&p_sid=RmG34bOi&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfc m93X2NudD0xNTEmcF9wcm9kX2x2bDE9MyZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMj0 zMSZwX2NhdF9sdmwxPTUwJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=)

you will need this program (https://iomega-na-en.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/iomega_na_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=18590&p_sid=RmG34bOi&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfc m93X2NudD0xNTEmcF9wcm9kX2x2bDE9MyZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMj0 zMSZwX2NhdF9sdmwxPTUwJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=) - if you know what you are doing just download this and run it - pretty easy to use...

[aja]

Sorry dude, looks like you need some stupid account now to download it :(

EDIT:

here is what you need! (http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?fat32format.htm) - dos proggy, hope you have a 32bit OS

EDIT2:

here is the best program ever (http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197) - runs in windows and is completely free. Hp drive formatter.

EDIT3:

for those that want to know more about the 32gig limit (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q314463&)

[germanjulian]

thanks guys i will check tn

[Moto7451]

Just an FYI, OS X has no problem reading NTFS (though the official "limit" is 30GB, easily turned off in the terminal), write support is however disabled by default. Also Macs have been able to read/write and format FAT FS discs since about 1993 :).

You may want to find out if her Mac lacks USB or something like that or if she's running Mac OS 9 (which can't read NTFS discs).

[LoneWolf121188]

Or just use OSX's Disk Utility. /Applications/Utilities. That will format FAT32.