how to format an external USB harddrive

[Guest]

Operatin system: Windows XP
External harddrive: Samsung

After plug-in the USB ext hard disk, the computer acknowleged the drive but
unable to see the drive letter under MY COMPUTER, therefore, I am unable to
format the ext. USB harddrive.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Operating system: Windows XP
External hard drive: Samsung

After plug-in the USB ext hard disk, the computer acknowleged the
drive but unable to see the drive letter under MY COMPUTER,
therefore, I am unable to format the ext. USB hard drive.

Use Disk Manager...

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Storage ->
Disk Management

Also - if you want the disk to be more compatible with other systems...
Format it FAT32 - and assuming it is larger than 32GB, you will need to use
a special tool (Windows XP will not do it natively) to format it larger than
32GB.

Format larger than 32GB FAT32 within Windows XP with this utility:
http://www.mager.org/mkdosfs/

 

[Rodger_B]

One way to solve the problem is to use Tweakui - freeware, a part of
Microsoft Powertoys.
Go to My Computer>>Drives and check the drive.
Windows Explorer will then be able to see it.

 

[Sleepless in Seattle]

BUT unformatted drives don't have drive letters.

 

[Kelly]

Hmm, was it listed before via Windows Explorer? I use an external and
haven't seen this issue before. Have you tried going to the Device Manager
and Scanning for Hardware Changes or using line 317 (right hand side):
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Is it listed via right clicking My Computer/Manage/Storage/Disk Management?
Have you tried forcing the BIOS to detect it? Are you problems serious
enought to warrant a format that perhaps the external drive isn't
functioning properly?

Either way, good luck!

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Kelly]

Not necessarily. )

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Kelly]

I a sense; however, his post should have stated that, but didn't. So......

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks Kelly. Found the UBS harddisk in Disk Management and I can format and
make partition by right click on the harddisk.

Just to let you know it is a brand new UBS external hard disk (a normal
internal harddisk that you insert into a special UBS casing).

Thanks again and have a nice day.
Shen

 

[Guest]

Thanks Shenan. Found the UBS harddisk in Disk Management and I can format and
make partition by right click on the harddisk.

Just to let you know it is a brand new UBS external hard disk (a normal
internal harddisk that you insert into a special UBS casing).

Thanks again and have a nice day.
Shen

 

[Kelly]

Most welcome, glad all is well and thanks for the feedback, Shen. Hope all
goes well from here. )

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks Roger_B. Found the UBS harddisk in Disk Management and I can format
and make partition by right click on the harddisk.

Just to let you know it is a brand new UBS external hard disk (a normal
internal harddisk that you insert into a special UBS casing).

Thanks again and have a nice day.
Shen