Modern External HD box supports only FAT32

[bobrics]

Recently I've bought an external HD enclosure 3.5", USB2.0.

When I've opened it up, the instruction manual says it supports only
FAT32. Indeed it does, as my NTSF HD was invisible. Is it this
particular product specific or most of external systems are like that?

I assume the limitation comes from the microcontroller inside the box
that is able to support only FAT32.. but then why not to let Windows
care about file system, and make the box just an IDE-USB converter?

My box does not have a brand name except a flying eagle logo

Regards

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

Recently I've bought an external HD enclosure 3.5", USB2.0.

When I've opened it up, the instruction manual says it supports only
FAT32. Indeed it does, as my NTSF HD was invisible. Is it this
particular product specific or most of external systems are like that?

I assume the limitation comes from the microcontroller inside the box
that is able to support only FAT32.. but then why not to let Windows
care about file system, and make the box just an IDE-USB converter?

My box does not have a brand name except a flying eagle logo

Regards

The USB/IDE enclosure I bought at Wal-Mart works just fine with my NTSF
formatted IDE hard drive on my XP Home Edition box. What can I say, it was
on sale for about $20, a bit big but it has an internal power supply and fan
and a removable front panel in case I want to use it to hold a CD or DVD
drive.

If you are using your enclosure with a non-XP operating system you will most
likely need to install a USB driver which hopefully came with your
enclosure. If a non-XP computer reads the NTSF drive just fine when plugged
directly into the IDE cable it's possible that USB drivers that came with
your enclosure do not support NTSF.