How can I convert HD from NTFS to FAT32?

[mjs90201]

I have an extra 200 GB hard drive which is formated with the NTFS file system. I wish to use it as an external drive (I have an enclosure) with the USB port of my new DVD player which can only read the FAT file system. I would greatly appreciate instructions for converting (or reformating) this drive to use the FAT32 file system. I have already erased all data from the drive.

Regards,

MJS

PS: My computer's operating system is Windows XP, Media Center Edition.

 

[xtremeskier97]

You'll have to completely delete the partition and create a new FAT32 partition.

If you hook it up to your computer, go to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Disk Management, and then select the drive and click create partition. Follow on-screen instructions.

 

[mjs90201]

Following your instructions, I successfully deleted the partition. When I tried creating a new FAT partition, however, the "New Partition Wizard" only gave the option of using the NTFS file system.

What now?

 

[John]

You cannot use disk management in XP to format a drive w/ FAT32 if it's over 32GB. However you can use a Win98/ME bootdisk to do it, and you can download one from bootdisk.com

 

[mjs90201]

Thanks for the info. However, I just found an alternate solution--a program that could format the drive with FAT32 in Windows XP.

Regards,

MJS