Hard is full when it isn't????

D

damocci

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Something is up with my USB storage bin. The thing is 420GB in size, when I check properties there's about 140GB of space avalable. But when I try copy a 4GB file onto it I get a message saying there isn't enough space available. What's causing this and how I get by it so I have access to my 140GB of available space?
 
damocci said:
Something is up with my USB storage bin. The thing is 420GB in size, when I check properties there's about 140GB of space avalable. But when I try copy a 4GB file onto it I get a message saying there isn't enough space available. What's causing this and how I get by it so I have access to my 140GB of available space?
Click to expand...

Is it formatted with Fat32. or NTFS?
 
Is your hard drive formatted as FAT32 or NTFS? FAT32 cannot store a file thats larger than 4gigs. Have you tried copying smaller files onto the hard drive to see if your hard drive is working?
 
I find it weird that some manufacturers produce such huge driver that are factory FAT formatted.:( Ran into one of those at a LAN. 4GB limits and ISOs don't gel.
 
You guys are right. It's FAT32. What size is the largest file FAT can accept, because maybe I can use Winrar or HJSplit to make smaller files, copy them across, then join them together again?
 
Oh, and is there a way to convert the whole drive to NTFS without losing the data on it, while the data is still on the drive?
 
Just convert the drive, unless you need to use it in some form of media player device which requires FAT. Just google for fat to ntfs convert, you can usually do it straight from Windows ;)
 
The last time I did a drive conversion was almost, I'd say 3 years ago? :eek: memory's poor. I've only recently started spewing stuff in general hardware and software ;)
 
Convert.exe will convert your drive without any damage to the files. If it's not the primary operating system drive (which it isn't going by the info), it will even do it without a restart.

Type this on a command prompt line

Code: 
convert x: /fs:ntfs
where x: is your drive letter

Presto, conversion will now take place.
 
For failsafe conversion from FAT or FAT32 to NTFS rather use something like Acronis Disk Director - real easy and reliable, and retains all your data, even if you resize partitions...
 
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