FAT32 Formatter

[KP4_2007]

A very fast utility for formatting your external HD to fat32.
Attachment 77178

Formatting is a procedure to erase a hard-drive. It's a good idea to format a new or existing hard-drive before using it for PVR (personal video recording) features. When you format an existing hard-drive, remember you're erasing all the data on it. So make sure you've backed up what you need first.


1) Before you begin, unzip this file and its contents to your DESKTOP, or simply copy the file FAT32FORMAT to your desktop

2) On a Windows-based PC, plug in your USB hard-drive


3) Open MY COMPUTER (on your desktop or in your START Menu) and make a note of the drive letter for your USB hard-drive

*** Make sure that you verify the drive letter is correct. You don't want to format the wrong drive! ***


4) Click on your PC's START menu and then click on RUN

(You can also press the Windows Key on your keyboard + the letter R to open the RUN menu)


5) Type in CMD and press enter. You'll get a black window

6) Type in or copy and paste: CD %USERPROFILE%\DESKTOP
and press enter

7) Type in: FAT32FORMAT X:
and press enter

*** Where X is the drive letter for your USB hard-drive

8) You will see the following: Warning ALL data on drive 'f' will be lost irretrievably, are you sure (y/n)
Type in Y and press the enter key

9) Please wait a few minutes. When it is finished you will see the message 'DONE'




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** Note: When choosing an external USB hard-drive for PVR, look for a good quality drive. Make sure that the drive is a 3.5" drive with its own (AC) power source. Look for a drive that is at least 7200rpm (speed) or higher and maybe buy a brand-name if you can, ie. Seagate, Western Digital, Maxtor, etc.

Using a notebook size 2.5" drive may not work so well since most of these drives are only 5200rpm and many do not have their own power source/power adapter.

USB flash memory sticks may not work so well either, especially when the capacity on these drives are usually more limited than a regular hard-drive.