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FAT16 versus FAT32

 

When should I use FAT16?
"For drives that are smaller then 4GB"

When should I use FAT32?
"For drives that are 4GB or larger"


For FAT32 (with 32k clusters):

For your system hard drive/partition:
Boot from a DOS system disk (floppy) and type FORMAT  X: /z:64 (where "X" is, type the correct drive letter)

For another hard drive/partition:
Go the a MS-DOS prompt and type FORMAT  X: /z:64 (where "X" is, type the correct drive letter)


For FAT16 (if you have Win95b OSR2, Win95c OSR3, or Win98):

1. Make a DOS system disk (floppy).

2. Copy FDISK.EXE to that floppy (probably located in "c:\windows\command\")

3. Stick the floppy in, and restart your computer.

4. When you get to the A: prompt type FDISK

5. When asked if you want to use "Large Disk Support" choose no.

6. Delete the DOS Partition you want to reformat with FAT16.

7. Create a new DOS Partition.

8. Restart the computer.

9. At the A: prompt type FORMAT X: (where "X" is, type the correct drive letter).


For FAT16 (if you have Win95 release A. Upgrade, or full version that came with a computer "before" 1997):

From Windows: Choose format by right clicking on the drive you wish to reformat.

From DOS: Type FORMAT X: (where "X" is, type the correct drive letter).


IMPORTANT NOTE!
FORMATTING YOUR DRIVE "WILL" ERASE *ALL* DATA CURRENTLY SAVED ON IT.
SO BACKUP!

 

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