Unable to read FAT32 filesystems

[Robert S]

I have just purchased a Maxtor OneTouch II external harddrive. I want to
keep it formatted as FAT32 for compatability reasons. When I insert it into
my USB port and open the drive I get a prompt "The disk in drive F is not
formatted: do you wish to format it now".

I've since tried to read the contents of two USB thumbdrives and numerous
floppies and have got the same message.

I've been able to read all of these devices on other Windows machines (XP
included).

I'm running Windows XP Pro with all patches.

Can anybody help?

--

 

[Mike Fields]

I have just purchased a Maxtor OneTouch II external harddrive. I want to
keep it formatted as FAT32 for compatability reasons. When I insert it into
my USB port and open the drive I get a prompt "The disk in drive F is not
formatted: do you wish to format it now".

I've since tried to read the contents of two USB thumbdrives and numerous
floppies and have got the same message.

I've been able to read all of these devices on other Windows machines (XP
included).

I'm running Windows XP Pro with all patches.

Can anybody help?

Right click "my computer" --> Properties --> Hardware --> Device Manager
scroll down to the USB entries -- are they OK or do they have a yellow
triangle/exclamation mark thing ?? Sounds like the USB port on the
motherboard may have a problem. Make sure it is enabled in the BIOS.

mikey

 

[Robert S]

Right click "my computer" --> Properties --> Hardware --> Device Manager

scroll down to the USB entries -- are they OK or do they have a yellow
triangle/exclamation mark thing ?? Sounds like the USB port on the
motherboard may have a problem. Make sure it is enabled in the BIOS.

Done all of that - no yellow exclamation marks. I tried removing all the
usb drivers and reinstalling them. The problem seems to affect all FAT
formatted media.

I managed to access my data using knoppix - a Linux live CD. Presumably its
not a hardware problem.

Is there any way that I can do a repair installation? There's no such
option on my installation CD.