Windows FAT32 Drive Error

[Smokey]

I converted my FAT16 partition (C:\ drive) with Windows 98 (the original, not SE) to FAT32 using Partition Magic 4.0 without a hitch... it worked perfectly. But now, Windows reports the drive size as 1.99GB Total with 1.99GB Free. The drive does have the correct amount of space on it though, even though Windows isn't reporting it as such. I assume this error is because I converted with PM instead of Win98. It's not a major problem, but doesn anyone know how to correct it?

[OuTpaTienT]

I thought I read somewhere in the Windoze documentation that if you convert the drive the Windoze is installed on (ie C:\) then after the conversion you need to reinstall Windoze.

This is the main reason why I haven't converted my C:\ drive (well, that and I still don't trust FAT32).

[Susan]

I think it is the definition of FAT32 from within PM that is the problem and how it is seen by the OS.

FDisk from a WIN98 boot disk would solve your problems, Smokey. Although this does involve a complete reinstall or copy of your your old HD. A fresh install is always better.

[Smokey]

Well, since it's only a cosmetic thing, I guess I'll live with the problem. I don't want to take the time to reinstall Windows right now http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Gene C.]

I use ver. 4 & 5 of pm. with no problems. this is only a thought. boot up go into bios. set the drive as none. save and exit. boot from a flopppy. get to a: and shut down. boot back up and set the drive in cmos again. and reboot to windows. and see what you have than. I change from 16/32/ all the time. and never a problem. and never have to reinstall windows.what size drive do you have in it?

[Smokey]

Gene - it's an 8.4GB Samsung...

[Dave_H]

You getting this 1.99GB figure from C/properties (the pie thing) or from scandisc? If your using scandisc, are all the other figures there O.K.?
Just curious
Dave
Edit-uncheck the box, don't let it try to "fix" nothing yet-edit

[This message has been edited by Dave_H (edited 01-30-2000).]

[jad1097]

PM is not the problem.
First question what does PM say about your partition under windows? Is it only 1.99 gig? Is the rest of the drive formatted? If I am correct Fat 16 only allows patitions of 1.99 or 2gig,right? Before formating did windows show all 8.4 gigs? If so I do not see how under a fat 16 partition.
I will double check myself on the fat 16 thing.

[Gene C.]

smokey,
jad1097, might be on to something there. after you converted it to 32. did you resize your harddrive? to see the rest of the drive?
2039.5 is as big as a fat drive can be.
how many partitions do you have on the drive?
and how big dose it say the partition is in PM? and dose it show that the drive is really convereted to 32 in PM?

[Smokey]

It's just showing the pie wrong under properties. Everything else is correct. I can get to all 8.4 gigs of space on the drive.

[jad1097]

From microsoft. (http://www.microsoft.com/INSIDER/windows98/tips/win98tips.htm)

"Another thing to keep in mind is that the maximum partition size you can have with FAT16 is 2GB. This means that if you bought a 4GB hard disk, you'd have to partition it into two drives in order to format it with FAT16. "
I think this is your problem.

Oh ,just read your post. So PM shows a 8.4gig partition right? So if you right click on C:>properties in my computer it only shows 1.99gig and fat 32? Or does it show the correct amount?



[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 01-30-2000).]

[Smokey]

I can read/write to all 8.4 gigs in Windows... the partition is fine... I have 5.5 gigs of stuff on it! It's just that when I go to properties for the drive, it says 1.99GB Total, 1.99GB Free. I'm wondering if there is a way to make it show the correct amounts in the properties window?

[jad1097]

This may sound stupid but you are not talking about system properties>virtual memory are you? Sorry I just had to ask.

Just out of curiosity could you explain to me the path you take to see the properties.

[Dave_H]

Now I'm real curious on what scandisk shows.

[commodsquad]

I believe that Smokey is opening up "my computer" and right clicking on the drive in question and choosing properties to show the pie chart with the info on harddrive space...
Smokey, are you by chance using 98lite in the sleek mode 95 shell option??

[Smokey]

Yes, it happens when I go into My Computer and right-click on C Drive to get the properties windows.

Commodsquad - yes I AM running the sleek mode of 98lite. That thought never occured to me, that since I'm running a Windows 95 explorer, it wouldn't like FAT32. Is this what you were thinking too?