How to create FAT32 partition on NTFS External HDD?

[sidthekool]

Ok this may seem a bit outdated but i could really use some help. I have an external hdd 500 gigs. I want to create a separate partition FAT32 partition on it to use it to play my backups. Also i dont want lose any data on the hdd(about 300 gigs of it!). Is it possible?

[Vash_TS]

+1 I'd also like to know.

EDIT: just found two previous threads on this

http://psx-scene.com/forums/f118/tut...er-32gb-78105/ (A tutorial on how to make a fat32 partition over 32gb)
http://psx-scene.com/forums/f177/for...e-fat32-67411/ (Formatting External Hard Drive to FAT32)

[akashi]

I recently had to do this and I did it with Parted Magic:

screenshots

[sidthekool]

+1 I'd also like to know.

EDIT: just found two previous threads on this

http://psx-scene.com/forums/f118/tut...er-32gb-78105/ (A tutorial on how to make a fat32 partition over 32gb)
http://psx-scene.com/forums/f177/for...e-fat32-67411/ (Formatting External Hard Drive to FAT32)

But the tutorial says ill lose all my data..

[sidthekool]

I recently had to do this and I did it with Parted Magic:

screenshots

And you did not lose your data right?

[Ps3funktionz]

From my experience it can be done with the right program. However sometimes HD's when creating more than 1 partition can be a bit funny about recognizing a new FAT32 partition created out of an existing NTFS partition. Sometimes you get lucky depending on the external and how it is recognized but their has been a time when I was required to wipe the entire drive in FAT32 first, then resize the partition and add the NTFS partition. Then all of a sudden my PS3 recognized it.

So anyway outside of my storybook above, the program I recommend 100% is called Acronis Disk Director. Great utility just to have on your PC. Its so easy you'll freak and no you will not lose your data as long as you don't do something stupid. I have not tried the other one that was mentioned. You just have to resize your NTFS to something smaller, then you will have ullocated space, then you select the unallocated space and create a FAT32 partition on it. Woala! Then hope your PS3 sees it, if it doesn't you may need to try to format just the FAT32 with another utility like SwissApps. If that doesn't work read my storybook above and copy my steps. Note- you will probably need to back up everything before you do that though. If you want to keep your stuff currently on there. And always read carefully with either of these programs if you have data you want, human error can be a b%@tch!! Ive goofed it with these before not reading thoroughly. Luckily I had a backup of my data.

Another good program sometimes I use along with Acronis is Swissknife Apps. This program works well to assure you a get a FULL FAT32 format. Sometimes I run it once on my PS3 partition just to make sure. FAT32 can be a little quacky from my experience mostly with just how you format, partition, how other things recognize it, etc.

[sidthekool]

From my experience it can be done with the right program. However sometimes HD's when creating more than 1 partition can be a bit funny about recognizing a new FAT32 partition created out of an existing NTFS partition. Sometimes you get lucky depending on the external and how it is recognized but their has been a time when I was required to wipe the entire drive in FAT32 first, then resize the partition and add the NTFS partition. Then all of a sudden my PS3 recognized it.

So anyway outside of my storybook above, the program I recommend 100% is called Acronis Disk Director. Great utility just to have on your PC. Its so easy you'll freak and no you will not lose your data as long as you don't do something stupid. I have not tried the other one that was mentioned. You just have to resize your NTFS to something smaller, then you will have ullocated space, then you select the unallocated space and create a FAT32 partition on it. Woala! Then hope your PS3 sees it, if it doesn't you may need to try to format just the FAT32 with another utility like SwissApps. If that doesn't work read my storybook above and copy my steps. Note- you will probably need to back up everything before you do that though. If you want to keep your stuff currently on there. And always read carefully with either of these programs if you have data you want, human error can be a b%@tch!! Ive goofed it with these before not reading thoroughly. Luckily I had a backup of my data.

Another good program sometimes I use along with Acronis is Swissknife Apps. This program works well to assure you a get a FULL FAT32 format. Sometimes I run it once on my PS3 partition just to make sure. FAT32 can be a little quacky from my experience mostly with just how you format, partition, how other things recognize it, etc.

Thanks man ill give it a go and let you know what happens.

[sel2killa]

i've always used partitionmagic... works great and have used versions of it throughout the years (always upgraded whenever a new one came out). fat32formatter is probably easier to use than swissapps, but that's just my opinion.