Member Avatar for sree_ec

Hi Guys,

I have a USB disk with ext3 file system created in linux. I want to re format it to FAT16 somehow. I dont have a linux system but have only a windows xp machine. Please help me to do it. Thanks.

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Good to see ’s follow-up — XP not recognizing ext3 is normal (as said). If the files on the stick matter, stop and extract them before wiping. Two practical, free options are to mount the drive in Windows with Ext2Fsd (driver; can be risky if used write‑enabled) or use a read‑only extractor like DiskInternals Linux Reader to copy files off first. (Both are safer than immediately reformatting.) Ext2Fsd (downloads) DiskInternals Linux Reader. (ext2fsd.com)

If data recovery isn’t needed, Windows can remove the Linux partition and create a FAT volume — but if the disk shows as “Unknown/Not Initialized” or won’t format from Explorer, use the disk initialization or low‑level clean options instead of repeatedly trying formats. Initialize the disk from Disk Management or use DiskPart’s safe sequence (only after verifying the disk number): 

diskpart
list disk
select disk N   (make ABSOLUTELY sure N is the USB)
clean            (this removes partition table)

After that create a new partition and format. Take care: clean erases partition/volume info permanently. [Initialize disks / Disk Management] (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/disk-management/initialize-new-disks) [DiskPart clean] ()). (learn.microsoft.com)

A couple of format notes so the choice fits the device: FAT16 is small and compatibility-oriented — limit FAT16 to about 2 GB for broad device support; older NT variants can create ~4 GB FAT16 with huge clusters but that often breaks other OSes. For larger sticks prefer FAT32 (or exFAT where the target supports it). Check the device’s requirements before choosing FAT16. (flylib.com)

If detection was intermittent (as and saw), try different USB ports/cables, another PC, and gently clean the connector (compressed air; isopropyl on a lint‑free swab if needed). For stubborn partition problems, a bootable tool like GParted Live lets you repartition/format outside Windows. Back up first and double‑check the selected disk before any destructive command. [GParted manual / live image] (https://gparted.org/display-doc.php?name=help-manual). (gparted.org)

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Member Avatar for rch1231

XP by it's self does not recognise the ext3 filesystem partition so you will need some sort of application that knows about ext3. Unix filesystem utilities for windows, Paragon HD manager, partition magic, etc.

Member Avatar for sree_ec

XP by it's self does not recognise the ext3 filesystem partition so you will need some sort of application that knows about ext3. Unix filesystem utilities for windows, Paragon HD manager, partition magic, etc.

Thank you,
Is there any freeware you can suggest?

Member Avatar for jbennet

You cant read it in XP, but you can still wipe the drive and start again with a new FAT partition.

Right click my computer -> Manage
Go into "Disk management"

In there you can partition and format the drive as you see fit.

Edited by jbennet because: n/a
Member Avatar for sree_ec

You cant read it in XP, but you can still wipe the drive and start again with a new FAT partition.

Right click my computer -> Manage
Go into "Disk management"

In there you can partition and format the drive as you see fit.

Hi,

Thanks.
It was indeed possible. XP was showing the device as UNKNOWN device so that I was not able to do anything on it. After some time, after a few trials of insert and removal on another XP machine, XP "magically" started to detect them again and I was able to format simply by trying to read the USB from My Computer. Thanks to all who replied.

Member Avatar for ThomasAnderson

Well i think its the USB jack problem u had face or your Pen drive jack is dirty with dust, by putting again again in USB port it cleaned.
I also face such type of problem with my USB disk, Just use the cotton cloth to clean it & Its work fine.

TO format a USB disk, the utility i love most is "HP USB format utility ", able to format a bad drive.

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