Question : Problem: How do I format from NFTS back to FAT32?

I have a system I am about to get rid of that is currently running under NFTS and Windows 2000 but I want to set it back to Win 98 - which I think was FAT 32.

I don't need to keep anything at all on the HDD.

How do I change things back to FAT32?

I think last time I tried this the Win 98 couldn;t recognise anything newer than FAT 32 and thus it wouldn't let me do anything with the HDD at all.

 

Answer : Problem: How do I format from NFTS back to FAT32?

I have done both of these methods and both work just fine. My personal preference is METHOD 1 because it is easier and quicker and if you only have one partition and want to continue with using one partition then you don't need to repartition.

METHOD 1
Reformatting or repartitioning a disk deletes all of the data that is on the disk, so make sure that you back up your data before you reformat the disk.

Start the computer by using the Windows 2000 CD-ROM or the Startup disks.

When the Welcome to Setup screen appears, press F10.

In Recovery Console, specify the appropriate installation, and then log on by using your Administrator password.

Type map , and then press ENTER.

Note the drive that you want to reformat. The drive letters may be different in Recovery Console from what they are in Windows 2000.

Type format x : /fs:fat32 or  format x : /fs:ntfs, where x is the letter of the drive that you want to format and FAT32/NTFS is the file system that you want to use, and then press ENTER.

Type y and then press ENTER to confirm your choice. When the formatting process is finished, type exit and then press ENTER, to restart the computer.

Removing NTFS

Manually Remove Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;250456


OR METHOD 2
Boot to the Windows 98 boot disk.

At the DOS prompt, type FDISK and select large hard drive support (answer "Y") and then remove the
non-DOS partition.

Reboot the system to the 98 disk again, but this time "with CD ROM drive support, and again load Fdisk. Again select large hard drive support.

Create a primary partition and make it active.

Reboot to the 98 disk again and then format the drive.

Now install.


The Crazy One