Reformatting from FAT32 to NTFS ??? I am a computer novice and want to buy this item merely to store backup music (mp3's). Reviewers here say for Windows, this drive needs to be reformatted from FAT32 to NTFS. How is this done? Are directions included? Thanks for any info. Reformatting from FAT32 to NTFS ??? I am a computer novice and want to buy this item merely to store backup music (mp3's). Reviewers here say for Windows, this drive needs to be reformatted... » Read More Reformatting from FAT32 to NTFS ??? I am a computer novice and want to buy this item merely to store backup music (mp3's). Reviewers here say for Windows, this drive needs to be reformatted from FAT32 to NTFS. How is this done? Are directions included? Thanks for any info. « Show Less
1813383
It only needs to be done if you want to save files over 4 GB. There may be some cases where FAT32 is preferred,such as plugging this drive into the USB port of a stand alone DVD player for avi, mp3 files,etc. They may requireFAT32 like a flash drive.To format to NTFS right click the external drive under My Computer.Then hit Format.
1813384
Only for individual files over 4GB. From what I understand DVD movies will work since they aremultiply VOB files. mp3s and avi files should be no problem.What would not work is a single file over 4GB such as an movie ISO file.----------Thanks for the tip on the power outage. I was thinking of buying one of these andleaving it in FAT32 so I can plug it into my standalone DVD player which has a USBport. I read somewhere I can do this for my Divx, Xvid, avi files. How much of a risk am I running by leaving the drive in FAT32 as far as a poweroutage losing my data? thanks! Only for individual files over 4GB. From what I understand DVD movies will work since they aremultiply VOB files. mp3s and avi files should be no problem.What would not work is a single file over 4GB such as an movie ISO file.----------Thanks for the tip on the power outage. I was thinking of buying one of these andleaving it in FAT32 so I can plug it into my standalone DVD player which has a USBport. I read somewhere I can do this for my Divx, Xvid, avi files. How much of a risk am I running by leaving the drive in FAT32 as far as... » Read More Only for individual files over 4GB. From what I understand DVD movies will work since they aremultiply VOB files. mp3s and avi files should be no problem.What would not work is a single file over 4GB such as an movie ISO file.----------Thanks for the tip on the power outage. I was thinking of buying one of these andleaving it in FAT32 so I can plug it into my standalone DVD player which has a USBport. I read somewhere I can do this for my Divx, Xvid, avi files. How much of a risk am I running by leaving the drive in FAT32 as far as a poweroutage losing my data? thanks! « Show Less
1813385
NTFS is better to protect filesystem on power outages, FAT32 corruption may wipe entire drive but NTFS will be able to restore most of drive contents. Otherwise FAT32 is fine, can be used with other devices (NTFS is only supported by Windows XP and Vista) and 4Gb file limit is not always a problem.
1813386
The 4GB reference is to a single file being 4GB or larger, not a sum total of 4GB worth of files. :)
1813387
Thanks for the info, guys. I use Windows XP, plan on downloading well over 4GB in musical CDs, audiobooks, and mp3's, so, if I'm reading you right, I SHOULD reformat to NTFS. Is this correct? And thanks again for your help.
342169
If it didn't accept a size that was bigger that would mean that it came formatted to FAT32, and it would need to be formatted to NTFS, the only downside of NTFS being that if you pull it out without safely removing, there is a bigger chance of corruption. To reformat it to NTFS just look up some guide on google.
735342
No reformatting necessary as the hard drive ships in FAT32 format, which is instantly compatible with a Mac. If there is /any/ chance that you will be hooking into a Mac and a PC at some point, I'd highly recommend leaving the formatting as is (of course you can wipe the drive and then reformat it in MSDOS format through Disk Utility). You cannot easily write to a Windows (i.e., NTFS) drive but you can read it on a Mac. Have no idea as to whether a Windows machine can read/write something that is Mac formatted, however.
153289
Yes, hello, This Drive Works With NTFS and FAT, But FAT, in all Drives, can't save files bigger then 5GB or So. Even So, Everyhting is mostly NTFS now, so just use that. Now, When I Backup, I Use TrueCrypt to secure my backups, because i dont "trust" Windows Backup. But There Should Be now Problem. I'm Pretty Sure That when I Got the drive, It was allready formatted to NTFS with 931GB of Space. Just Configure You Settings in windows backup, and direct it to the PHD (Portbale Hard Drive) There should be no problems at all.
881628
Yes you can format USB flash drive to FAT or FAT16. Be sure to back up your files first. Always back up files before formatting. You can check on youtube for some examples and tutorials.
1137406
It came formatted in FAT32, I reformatted it to NTFS as I use large image files on it and can not use FAT32 due to the file size limitation of 4GB for a single file.
514987
You should be able to use it on both Windows and Mac to read and write. You just have to reformat the drive for FAT32 rather than NTFS. I did this with my WD my passport ultra, works fine unless Toshiba has documentation that states you cannot format FAT32, but I doubt it.
980738
This flash drive is by default formatted in fat, but which number I am unsure, to my understanding fat formatting is extremely backwards compatible. This flash drive would more likely than not work for you.
990058
It has been formatted from the factory as NTFS which works with Windows OS, including Windows 7. No need to worry.
1944386
Yes. It can be reformatted if not in the correct windows format. I only two formats I know are FAT-32 (Mac and pc) and Windows NT (Mac read and PC readwrite).
1289057
On a windows 7 pc you simply go to start menu - computer - right click the flash drive - left click "format" - left click the drop down menu - left click NTFS or Ex-FAT - and then press START. If I was going to use as a boot drive for, say restoring my operating system, I'd uncheck the quick format box and do a full format. I think this method works the same or similarly for XP or Windows 8, I haven't tried either in awhile. Cheers!
2099598
These usb flash drives are supplied with FAT32 file system format which has a 4GB size limit for file transfers. It is very easy to change the format to one without the size limit. As soon as I got the drive I used windows to change the format to exFAT. It only takes a minute to complete. Before changing the format consider that some people keep FAT32 because it offers the best compatibility for transferring files between Windows, Mac OS and Linux systems. Also consider that some car stereos and other USB media players with USB input might only be able to read FAT32 formatted USB drives.
577668
Yes, you could format it as a NTFS or FAT32. Mac (as well as Windows obviously) supports both.
1791663
I formatted mine NTFS, so it only works well for PC. I think if you format FAT32 it should work across operating systems.
1841457
You didn't say if the drive was formatted with HPFS or NTFS or FAT32. You also didn't say whether Windows prompted to format the drive when you plugged it in. FAT32 is compatible with both Mac and PC so I would recommend converting to that file system. The only caveat is that the largest file size is 4GB in FAT32. Another thing to check is whether enough power is being provided to the drive through the USB port of what I assume to be a laptop PC. You may need to use a powered USB hub.
1782772
Yes, but it needs FAT32 file format and won't read NTFS* (which is default on most drives). This link shows how to quickly reformat your drive while also making sure you back up your data. http://www.wikihow.com/Format-FAT32
472280
For NTFS the max file size for that drive would be the capacity of the drive. For FAT32 it would be limited to 4Gb file size. It comes formatted in FAT32.