Western Digital HFS+ to FAT32 Conversion (through Windows).

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mp1

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#91050 5-Oct-2011 21:01

I've just been given a Western Digital External Hard Drive, from a friend who used it on an Apple Computer. Its model number is: WD1600B014.

From what i've been told, its currently using a HFS+ file system. I don't own any Apple products, and when I plug the drive into my machine running Windows 7.0 it doesnt pick it up. Nor does it in Ubuntu.

Is there a way to convert this to a FAT32 drive using Windows? I've done a brief google and arent having much luck.

I can probably get over to my mates place who has a mac and knows what he's doing within a week, so its not the end of the world should it not be possible to repair under windows.

nickb800

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#529787 5-Oct-2011 21:07

If you go into control panel > administrative tools > computer manager > disk management, then see if you can see the drive there. If you can see it there, then right click on the drive, and select 'convert dynamic disk' or something like that. (these instructions might not be complete, i havent used windows in a while)

mp1

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#529789 5-Oct-2011 21:08

nickb800: If you go into control panel > administrative tools > computer manager > disk management, then see if you can see the drive there. If you can see it there, then right click on the drive, and select 'convert dynamic disk' or something like that. (these instructions might not be complete, i havent used windows in a while)

Doesn't show up sadly :-(

I don't have the original power adapter, but have got one that works and powers it on.. Could this be an issue?

nickb800

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#529793 5-Oct-2011 21:12

Hmmm. Shouldnt be a problem, as long as the drive feels like it is working (i.e. its vibrating a little bit when you plug it in)

dontpanic42

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#529802 5-Oct-2011 21:22

Burn a GParted live CD and boot up with that.
I'm pretty sure it should be able bring it back to NTFS or FAT32.

HTH

mp1

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#529822 5-Oct-2011 22:19

dontpanic42: Burn a GParted live CD and boot up with that.
I'm pretty sure it should be able bring it back to NTFS or FAT32.

HTH

Righto, did that, and it didnt appear. I put my ear up to the hard drive and its not spinning / powering up properly despite the LED being lite up...

Time for a new power adapter. Dont think enough AMPS are getting through.