Re-format external hard drive from FAT32 to NTFS

[funkyboa]

I have bought an external USB hard drive and it is pre-formatted using
the FAT32 system. I want to re-format it to the NTFS system. The
manufacturer's website (iomega.com) gives 1 set of instructions in its
FAQ section and another set of instructions in the online User's Manual
and I don't know which to follow. Please help me choose the correct
instructions.

Thank you.

Their instructions are as follows:

FAQ version:

How to format a FAT32 drive to an NTFS format in Windows 2000/XP

Warning: Formatting your drive will erase all data stored on the
drive.
1. Click Start and then click Run.
2. Within the Open: box, type CMD and press the Enter key.
3. At the C:\ prompt, type FORMAT X: /FS:NTFS (where X: is the drive
letter assigned to your Iomega Hard Drive or Peerless drive).
4. Press the Enter key.


User's Manual version:

The following instructions will format the drive as a single large
volume with an NTFS file system. If you want to partition the drive,
check Windows help for more information.

1. Open Windows Disk Management (right click on My Computer, select
Manage, and click on Disk Management).
2. Select the Iomega Hard Drive. Look for the drive letter assigned
by Windows.
3. Delete the existing FAT32 partition.
4. The drive will now appear as Unallocated and the bar will be
black. Right click on the black bar and select New Partition (Windows
XP) or Create Partition (Windows 2000).
5. When the Partition Wizard opens, click Next.
6. Verify that the partition type is Primary Partition and click
Next.
7. Leave the maximum disk space selected and click Next.
8. Assign the next drive letter available and click Next.
9. Click Next, then click Finish. The drive will be ready to use
when the format completes.

 

[peter]

FAQ version
peter

 

[Ghostrider]

I have bought an external USB hard drive and it is pre-formatted using
the FAT32 system. I want to re-format it to the NTFS system. The
manufacturer's website (iomega.com) gives 1 set of instructions in its
FAQ section and another set of instructions in the online User's Manual
and I don't know which to follow. Please help me choose the correct
instructions.

Thank you.

Their instructions are as follows:

FAQ version:

How to format a FAT32 drive to an NTFS format in Windows 2000/XP

Warning: Formatting your drive will erase all data stored on the
drive.
1. Click Start and then click Run.
2. Within the Open: box, type CMD and press the Enter key.
3. At the C:\ prompt, type FORMAT X: /FS:NTFS (where X: is the drive
letter assigned to your Iomega Hard Drive or Peerless drive).
4. Press the Enter key.


User's Manual version:

The following instructions will format the drive as a single large
volume with an NTFS file system. If you want to partition the drive,
check Windows help for more information.

1. Open Windows Disk Management (right click on My Computer, select
Manage, and click on Disk Management).
2. Select the Iomega Hard Drive. Look for the drive letter assigned
by Windows.
3. Delete the existing FAT32 partition.
4. The drive will now appear as Unallocated and the bar will be
black. Right click on the black bar and select New Partition (Windows
XP) or Create Partition (Windows 2000).
5. When the Partition Wizard opens, click Next.
6. Verify that the partition type is Primary Partition and click
Next.
7. Leave the maximum disk space selected and click Next.
8. Assign the next drive letter available and click Next.
9. Click Next, then click Finish. The drive will be ready to use
when the format completes.

Both will work. Personal preference is to use Disk Management.

 

[Steve N.]

Both will work. Personal preference is to use Disk Management.

My personal preference is to format from a command prompt. The more
control you have the better. Disk Management assumes what you want to
do. You may very well wind up with a Dynamic Disk you don't want or
need. Command line gives you complete control and doesn't fool you; it
does exactly what you tell it to do.

Steve N.