Formatting an external HDD

[ibelieveinmrreeves]

I've just bought a new external harddrive and was considering formatting it to FAT32 so I can use it with my PS3. However, when I select the 'format' option, it only gives me a choice of exFAT and NTFS (the default setting). Is there another way to format it to get FAT32?

If not I'm not overly bothered . Any help is appreciated though.

[jonny72]

Microsoft removed the FAT32 format option for large drives from Windows some time ago. You can still do it on a Mac and probably Linux as well. You sure the drive isn't already formatted as FAT32?

[Batch]

Look up partition wizard home edition(free). Might do what you want

http://download.cnet.com/Partition-Wizard-Home-Edition/3000-2094_4-10962200.html

[Simon Pieman]

What are you using to format it? Windows? Which version? I have a feeling you can't format in FAT32 on recent versions.

If it was me I would download and use Easeus Partition Master which is free and a great program and should do this no trouble.

http://download.cnet.com/Easeus-Partition-Master-Home-Edition/3000-2248_4-10863346.html?tag=mncol

[ibelieveinmrreeves]

Thanks guys - wasn't aware Windows (which is, or was, what I'm using to format it) had removed the FAT32 option.

Jonny - I'm fairly sure, will go and test it now though!

[jonny72]

Thanks guys - wasn't aware Windows (which is, or was, what I'm using to format it) had removed the FAT32 option.

They haven't removed it totally, it still works on drives up to 32Gb and I'm pretty sure you can still do any size drives via the command line. As others have pointed out though there are utilities that will do it, a quick Google will give plenty of options.