Windows Backup Utility -- Files Size Problem

[Guest]

I recently bought an 80 GB external drive to use as a backup to my computer.
I ran XP's Backup Utility and directed it to send files and folders to the
new drive. I am only backing up about 10.1 GB, but received the following
error (not sure why, since the new drive is 80 GB!):

You have either run out of space, or the backup file (*.bkf) is too large
for this disk.
Note: If this disk is formatted with FAT 32, the maximum possible size for
the backup file is limited to 4GB.

The backup operation will stop.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Is the drive formatted with FAT32?

 

[Guest]

Ted -- I'm not sure. It was a CompUSA private-label external hard drive with
no documentation, manual, etc. How can I tell if it is FAT 32, and if it is,
do I need to change some setting? Thanks for your help

 

[Ted Zieglar]

With the drive plugged in, go to My Computer and right-click on the icon for
the drive, selecting Properties. The General tab will tell you what file
system the drive has.

 

[Guest]

Ted -- the drive does have an FAT 32 system -- what does that mean and what
do I need to do in order to use it for backup?

thanks again,

Eric

 

[Ted Zieglar]

The FAT32 file system supports a maximum file size of 4GB. IIRC, your backup
file is 10GB. To store a file that large, you will need to convert your
external drive to the NTFS file system.

Open the Help and Support Center and see the article: To convert a volume to
NTFS from the command prompt.

Note: The conversion process can take a long time. Do NOT interrupt it
before it is finished.

 

[Guest]

Ted -- I thought we had it and I'm sorry to keep bugging you (Microsoft and
Dell each want to charge me $99.00 to do this!). When I followed your
instructions, I got the following at the command prompt:

The type of file system is FAT 32.
Enter current volume label for Drive F:

I'm not sure what to enter. When I went to the Help Center and looked at
the topic you recommended, it all seemed so easy. thanks

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Don't worry about it. Lots of people think I'm a bugger.

For a more detailed explanation, try this:

"Converting FAT32 to NTFS in Windows XP"
http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php