Fat32 problem

The Lawn · 11-20-2006, 10:33 PM

My computer no longer recognizes fat32 file systems, so it could be a problem with drivers.

How would i check and what would i do to fix it if it is the problem?

Thanks in advance for any help :)

chauffeur2 · 11-20-2006, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lawn

My computer no longer recognizes fat32 file systems, so it could be a problem with drivers.

How would i check and what would i do to fix it if it is the problem?

Thanks in advance for any help :)

Greetings! Welcome to TSF!

Perhaps one possible reason that your computer is not recognising FAT32, is usually when you format the Drive during the installation of Windows® Xp, it by default, formats the Drive as NTFS.
[Windows XP® prefers NTFS rather than FAT32, although it will operate using either format.]

To check which format you have, do this...

Go START > All Programs > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management (Local).

In the right hand pane will be your Disc Drives; Partitions; etc, and whether they are formatted in FAT32 or NTFS.

Please report back with any queries/concerns.

The Lawn · 11-20-2006, 11:54 PM

my hard drive isnt the problem, its removable storage devices like thumb drives.

Edit: sorry for not specifying that earlier :S

chauffeur2 · 11-21-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lawn

my hard drive isnt the problem, its removable storage devices like thumb drives.

Edit: sorry for not specifying that earlier :S

That's different!

I would suggest that you look in your Device Manager, to see if there are any conflicts.

Do This...

Right click on the "My Computer" desktop icon > Properties > Hardware > Device Manager > View > show hidden devices.

Please tell us if there are any Yellow Exclamation Marks [!], or Red X's anywhere in the list; and if so, where exactly they are.

The Lawn · 11-21-2006, 12:06 AM

none, it says all devices are working properly.

chauffeur2 · 11-21-2006, 12:12 AM

OK...we rule that possibility out then.

Next, have you attempted to uninstall and reinstall these thumb drives at all?
If not, do it, but make sure that you remove [via add/remove programs in Control Panel] any reference to them, and physically remove the device.
Once that's done, power of the computer and reconnect the device; then, power up and let Windows® "Find it".
If this does not work, you will have to give me the make/model of the pesky troublesome critter and I'll see if I can hunt down a Driver for you.

The Lawn · 11-21-2006, 12:15 AM

well it the device works on my other comp, as do all my other thumb drives...

just it keeps asking me to re format, and when i try that, it says it was unable too...

hence my thinking that its a problem with a fat32 driver.

chauffeur2 · 11-21-2006, 12:30 AM

you will have to give me the make/model of the pesky troublesome critter and I'll see if I can hunt down a Driver for you.

EDIT: Do you have Service Pack 2 installed?

The Lawn · 11-21-2006, 12:33 AM

yes i have service pack 2

and its the GigaPack by Datel

chauffeur2 · 11-21-2006, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lawn

yes i have service pack 2

and its the GigaPack by Datel

Can you please be a little more specific with a model number...thanks.

The Lawn · 11-21-2006, 12:58 PM

if there was a model number i would have posted it. :\

and the problem is with all thumb drives, not just this one, so any driver from any model of any company that makes similar devices should do.

11-20-2006, 10:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Lawn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 OS: XP	Fat32 problem My computer no longer recognizes fat32 file systems, so it could be a problem with drivers. How would i check and what would i do to fix it if it is the problem? Thanks in advance for any help :)

11-20-2006, 11:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
The Lawn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 OS: XP	my hard drive isnt the problem, its removable storage devices like thumb drives. Edit: sorry for not specifying that earlier :S Last edited by The Lawn; 11-20-2006 at 11:55 PM.

11-21-2006, 12:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	OK...we rule that possibility out then. Next, have you attempted to uninstall and reinstall these thumb drives at all? If not, do it, but make sure that you remove [via add/remove programs in Control Panel] any reference to them, and physically remove the device. Once that's done, power of the computer and reconnect the device; then, power up and let Windows® "Find it". If this does not work, you will have to give me the make/model of the pesky troublesome critter and I'll see if I can hunt down a Driver for you. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

11-21-2006, 12:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	you will have to give me the make/model of the pesky troublesome critter and I'll see if I can hunt down a Driver for you. EDIT: Do you have Service Pack 2 installed? __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!! Last edited by chauffeur2; 11-21-2006 at 12:31 AM.

11-21-2006, 12:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
The Lawn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 OS: XP	none, it says all devices are working properly.

11-21-2006, 12:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
The Lawn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 OS: XP	well it the device works on my other comp, as do all my other thumb drives... just it keeps asking me to re format, and when i try that, it says it was unable too... hence my thinking that its a problem with a fat32 driver.

11-21-2006, 12:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
The Lawn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 OS: XP	yes i have service pack 2 and its the GigaPack by Datel

11-21-2006, 12:58 PM	#11 (permalink)
The Lawn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 9 OS: XP	if there was a model number i would have posted it. :\ and the problem is with all thumb drives, not just this one, so any driver from any model of any company that makes similar devices should do.