It is possible to FAST format a FAT32 partation over 32gb? I can use winme to format but it always says "invalid existing format" quick format cannot be done, must do unconditional format, which takes so long...

I don't think winxp/2k will format FAT32 over 32gb, it will say "Illegal volume size" or something like that. thanks

My first question is: Why on Earth are you using FAT32 with Windows 2000/XP??

1) To keep compatibility with other system in read/write (linux, windows 98, dos)

2) To avoid any problems with rights (not allowed read, etc.)

@kocoman: Use PartitionMagic or fdisk/format under dos. You can search for a free disk management too.

It is possible to FAST format a FAT32 partation over 32gb? I can use winme to format but it always says "invalid existing format" quick format cannot be done, must do unconditional format, which takes so long...

I don't think winxp/2k will format FAT32 over 32gb, it will say "Illegal volume size" or something like that. thanks

That's because you have have the 32 GB BIOS limitation (PCs older than 2001) or a WinME format utility bug.

oformat will alow a fast format on a new partition. I'm not sure if it works under NT but it will work in a 9x enviroment.

If your drive can be detected by the BIOS in its correct size, there is no problem.

Free FDISK: http://www.23cc.com/free-fdisk/

You could prepare an image file, with tools like Winimage:

http://www.winimage.com/

(it will be created as a "sparse file", so it will take just a few mb).

Then you could write it to the desired partition with tools like dd for windows:

http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/rawwrite/dd.htm

jaclaz

It is possible to FAST format a FAT32 partation over 32gb? I can use winme to format but it always says "invalid existing format" quick format cannot be done, must do unconditional format, which takes so long...

I don't think winxp/2k will format FAT32 over 32gb, it will say "Illegal volume size" or something like that. thanks

That's because you have have the 32 GB BIOS limitation (PCs older than 2001) or a WinME format utility bug.

Windows NT 5.x bypass bios to access ide drives and others drive too, like sata, it's for that you need driver disk/splitstream drivers on cd.

It is possible to FAST format a FAT32 partation over 32gb? I can use winme to format but it always says "invalid existing format" quick format cannot be done, must do unconditional format, which takes so long...

I don't think winxp/2k will format FAT32 over 32gb, it will say "Illegal volume size" or something like that. thanks

That's because you have have the 32 GB BIOS limitation (PCs older than 2001) or a WinME format utility bug.

Windows NT 5.x bypass bios to access ide drives and others drive too, like sata, it's for that you need driver disk/splitstream drivers on cd.

It still requires a later BIOS, AFAIK.

Windows XP cannot create a FAT32 partition over 32GB. You can use FAT32 partitions larger than 32GB but they can't be created with Windows XP. This is not a BIOS limitation.

Edited January 17, 200620 yr by nmX.Memnoch