Groups | Search | Server Info | Keyboard shortcuts | Login | Register [http] [https] [nntp] [nntps]

Groups > comp.sys.acorn.misc > #3638 > unrolled thread

Fwd: Formatting USB stick

Back to article view | Back to comp.sys.acorn.misc

Contents

  Fwd: Formatting USB stick Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> - 2012-02-15 18:55 +0000
    Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Dave Higton <davehigton@dsl.pipex.com> - 2012-02-15 19:29 +0000
      Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> - 2012-02-17 14:12 +0000
        Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Tony Moore <old_coaster@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-02-17 14:57 +0000
          Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> - 2012-02-17 15:34 +0000
            Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Tony Moore <old_coaster@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-02-17 16:00 +0000
              Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> - 2012-02-17 22:53 +0000
          Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick druck <news@druck.org.uk> - 2012-02-17 19:33 +0000
            Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Tony Moore <old_coaster@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-02-17 21:39 +0000
              Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> - 2012-02-17 22:50 +0000
    Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Fred Bambrough <fred@[127.0.0.1]> - 2012-02-15 20:13 +0000
      Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick druck <news@druck.org.uk> - 2012-02-15 23:07 +0000
        Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> - 2012-02-16 00:13 +0000
        Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick jeff <jeffrey.a.doggett@gmail.com> - 2012-02-15 23:57 -0800
        Re: Fwd: Formatting USB stick Dave Higton <davehigton@dsl.pipex.com> - 2012-02-16 20:20 +0000

#3638 — Fwd: Formatting USB stick

Hi,
I am sure this has been asked many times before but if I ever remembered the
answer, I have certainly forgotten it now. Sorry if this question is a bit
basic.
I have several thumb drives / memory sticks / USB flash drives (call them
what you will.
I am using a RiscPC 700  Adjust 4.39 & want to format them to be compatible
(& with Windows etc) They are all 2GB or below to be usable on my machine.
I want to format some of them to clear stuff & ensure there are no errors. If
I stick them in my Windows machine & choose Format, the top of the list is
FAT so I presume this means they are currently FAT16. Am I right in that
assumption? Is there any other way of checking what the current format is?
Should I reformat them as FAT (16) or is there any advantage in formatting
them FAT32? Will my RiscPC even recognise FAT32?

Regards,

-- 
Chris Newman

[toc] | [next] | [standalone]

#3639

In message <5262094265cvjazz@waitrose.com>
          Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> wrote:

> Hi, I am sure this has been asked many times before but if I ever
> remembered the answer, I have certainly forgotten it now. Sorry if this
> question is a bit basic. I have several thumb drives / memory sticks / USB
> flash drives (call them what you will. I am using a RiscPC 700  Adjust 4.39
> & want to format them to be compatible (& with Windows etc) They are all
> 2GB or below to be usable on my machine. I want to format some of them to
> clear stuff & ensure there are no errors. If I stick them in my Windows
> machine & choose Format, the top of the list is FAT so I presume this means
> they are currently FAT16. Am I right in that assumption? Is there any other
> way of checking what the current format is? Should I reformat them as FAT
> (16) or is there any advantage in formatting them FAT32? Will my RiscPC
> even recognise FAT32?

FAT can in theory refer to FAT12, FAT16 or FAT32.  However, very little
other than floppy discs use FAT12, so really it's down to FAT16 and
FAT32.

There is no difference in principle between the way all three of them
work, but there are differences in detail.  As usual, they are trade-
offs; you might say that FAT16 is better with a small number of large
files, whereas FAT32 is better with a large number of small files.
In reality, you would be pushed to notice the difference.

A drive of around 2 GB is highly likely to be FAT16.

My recommendation as a starting point is to try formatting one and
see if the Risc PC recognises the result.  If it does, you've won.

Dave

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3667

In article <f86c0c6252.davehigton@dsl.pipex.com>, Dave Higton
<davehigton@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
> In message <5262094265cvjazz@waitrose.com> Chris Newman
>           <cvjazz@waitrose.com> wrote:
> > If I stick them
> > in my Windows machine & choose Format, the top of the list is FAT so I
> > presume this means they are currently FAT16. Am I right in that
> > assumption? Is there any other way of checking what the current format
> > is? Should I reformat them as FAT (16) or is there any advantage in
> > formatting them FAT32? Will my RiscPC even recognise FAT32?

> FAT can in theory refer to FAT12, FAT16 or FAT32.  However, very little
> other than floppy discs use FAT12, so really it's down to FAT16 and FAT32.

> There is no difference in principle between the way all three of them work,
> but there are differences in detail.  As usual, they are trade- offs; you
> might say that FAT16 is better with a small number of large files, whereas
> FAT32 is better with a large number of small files. In reality, you would
> be pushed to notice the difference.

> A drive of around 2 GB is highly likely to be FAT16.

> My recommendation as a starting point is to try formatting one and see if
> the Risc PC recognises the result.  If it does, you've won.

Thanks, Dave. As an experiment, I formatted a2GB drive in my Windows machine.
First FAT32 bit then FAT16. My Unipod in the RiscPC 700  Adjust 4.39
recognised them both but the FAT16 opened much more quickly & the dragging
files operation was much quicker.
Is it possible to format the drives on my RISC PC? Jeff Doggett's formatting
tools only work on the Iyonix, 'twould seem

-- 
Chris Newman

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3669

On 17 Feb 2012, Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> wrote:

[snip]

> As an experiment, I formatted a2GB drive in my Windows machine. First
> FAT32 bit then FAT16. My Unipod in the RiscPC 700 Adjust 4.39
> recognised them both but the FAT16 opened much more quickly & the
> dragging files operation was much quicker.

If the drive is formatted to FAT32, I believe that files written on one
platform may not be visible on the other.

> Is it possible to format the drives on my RISC PC?

Try http://oldcoaster.drobe.co.uk/mkdosdisc.zip

Tony

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3670

In article <bb1ffb6252.old_coaster@old_coaster.yahoo.co.uk>,
   Tony Moore <old_coaster@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> On 17 Feb 2012, Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> wrote:

> [snip]

> > As an experiment, I formatted a2GB drive in my Windows machine. First
> > FAT32 bit then FAT16. My Unipod in the RiscPC 700 Adjust 4.39
> > recognised them both but the FAT16 opened much more quickly & the
> > dragging files operation was much quicker.

> If the drive is formatted to FAT32, I believe that files written on one
> platform may not be visible on the other.

I tried taking a simple text file both ways ie RISC OS to Windows &
vice-versa & it seemed to work OK

> > Is it possible to format the drives on my RISC PC?

> Try http://oldcoaster.drobe.co.uk/mkdosdisc.zip

Had a look at that. It's a command line job so will have to be careful to
type exactly (or paste & amend). A front, !USB-util, end is mentioned in the
idiots guide but the link gave a "could not resolve host" message in Netsurf.
Still, I shall doggedly persue when I have a bit of time.
Thanks, Tony

-- 
Chris Newman

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3672

On 17 Feb 2012, Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> wrote:
> In article <bb1ffb6252.old_coaster@old_coaster.yahoo.co.uk>,
>    Tony Moore <old_coaster@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> > On 17 Feb 2012, Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> wrote:

[snip]

> > > Is it possible to format the drives on my RISC PC?
>
> > Try http://oldcoaster.drobe.co.uk/mkdosdisc.zip
>
> Had a look at that. It's a command line job so will have to be careful
> to type exactly (or paste & amend). A front, !USB-util, end is
> mentioned in the idiots guide but the link gave a "could not resolve
> host" message in Netsurf.

Since the 'idiots guide' was written, five years ago, !USB-util has
moved to http://www.dragdrop.co.uk/sub/a9home/downloads/USB-Util101.zip
I'll change the readme when I can access drobe again.

Tony

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3679

In article <daed006352.old_coaster@old_coaster.yahoo.co.uk>,
   Tony Moore <old_coaster@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> On 17 Feb 2012, Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> wrote:
> > In article <bb1ffb6252.old_coaster@old_coaster.yahoo.co.uk>,
> >    Tony Moore <old_coaster@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> > > On 17 Feb 2012, Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> wrote:

> [snip]

> > > > Is it possible to format the drives on my RISC PC?
> >
> > > Try http://oldcoaster.drobe.co.uk/mkdosdisc.zip
> >
> > Had a look at that. It's a command line job so will have to be careful
> > to type exactly (or paste & amend). A front, !USB-util, end is
> > mentioned in the idiots guide but the link gave a "could not resolve
> > host" message in Netsurf.

> Since the 'idiots guide' was written, five years ago, !USB-util has
> moved to http://www.dragdrop.co.uk/sub/a9home/downloads/USB-Util101.zip
> I'll change the readme when I can access drobe again.

Thanks for that, Tony. Duly downloaded & installed. Will have a go with it
all as soon as time permits.

-- 
Chris Newman

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3676

On 17/02/2012 14:57, Tony Moore wrote:
> If the drive is formatted to FAT32, I believe that files written on one
> platform may not be visible on the other.

No, it's the other way round. Anything that can understand FAT32 gets it 
right. If it is formatted as FAT16 by later version of Windows, older 
software, including that on RISC OS, may not be able to handle it correctly.

---druck

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3677

On 17 Feb 2012, druck <news@druck.org.uk> wrote:
> On 17/02/2012 14:57, Tony Moore wrote:
>
> > If the drive is formatted to FAT32, I believe that files written on
> > one platform may not be visible on the other.
>
> No, it's the other way round. Anything that can understand FAT32 gets
> it right. If it is formatted as FAT16 by later version of Windows,
> older software, including that on RISC OS, may not be able to handle
> it correctly.

Here there are two flash drives: Toshiba 256MB and Kingston 1GB. Both
were formatted using Windows Vista to FAT, not FAT32. (Vista formatting
options are NTFS, FAT, FAT32 and exFAT.)

Both drives work without any visibility problem on Windows Vista, XP and
RISC OS 6.20 Unipod.

Tony

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3678

In article <85ee1f6352.old_coaster@old_coaster.yahoo.co.uk>,
   Tony Moore <old_coaster@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> On 17 Feb 2012, druck <news@druck.org.uk> wrote:
> > On 17/02/2012 14:57, Tony Moore wrote:
> >
> > > If the drive is formatted to FAT32, I believe that files written on
> > > one platform may not be visible on the other.
> >
> > No, it's the other way round. Anything that can understand FAT32 gets
> > it right. If it is formatted as FAT16 by later version of Windows,
> > older software, including that on RISC OS, may not be able to handle
> > it correctly.

> Here there are two flash drives: Toshiba 256MB and Kingston 1GB. Both
> were formatted using Windows Vista to FAT, not FAT32. (Vista formatting
> options are NTFS, FAT, FAT32 and exFAT.)

> Both drives work without any visibility problem on Windows Vista, XP and
> RISC OS 6.20 Unipod.

I concur. I find much the same here with Virtual Acorn SA 4.02 & XP

-- 
Chris Newman

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3640

In message <5262094265cvjazz@waitrose.com>
     Chris Newman <cvjazz@waitrose.com> wrote:

> Hi,
> I am sure this has been asked many times before but if I ever remembered
the
> answer, I have certainly forgotten it now. Sorry if this question is a bit
> basic.
> I have several thumb drives / memory sticks / USB flash drives (call them
> what you will.
> I am using a RiscPC 700  Adjust 4.39 & want to format them to be
compatible
> (& with Windows etc) They are all 2GB or below to be usable on my machine.
> I want to format some of them to clear stuff & ensure there are no errors.
If
> I stick them in my Windows machine & choose Format, the top of the list is
> FAT so I presume this means they are currently FAT16. Am I right in that
> assumption? Is there any other way of checking what the current format is?
> Should I reformat them as FAT (16) or is there any advantage in formatting
> them FAT32? Will my RiscPC even recognise FAT32?

Without using an add-on utility to read FAT32 you want FAT16.

-- 
Fred

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3643

On 15/02/2012 20:13, Fred Bambrough wrote:
>> I stick them in my Windows machine&  choose Format, the top of the list is
>> FAT so I presume this means they are currently FAT16. Am I right in that
>> assumption? Is there any other way of checking what the current format is?
>> Should I reformat them as FAT (16) or is there any advantage in formatting
>> them FAT32? Will my RiscPC even recognise FAT32?
>
> Without using an add-on utility to read FAT32 you want FAT16.

You want to use a FAT32 utility in any case, as versions of Windows from 
XP onwards do not follow the FAT16 specification which RISC OS's built 
in DOSFS understands.

Windows creates a variable size FAT32 root directory instead of the old 
fixed sized root directory which FAT16 was supposed to have. This leads 
to files being written by Windows which aren't seen by RISC OS, and vice 
versa, as they are looking at different root directories. Incidentally 
files aren't overwritten as allocation area is used correctly by both.

FAT32FS understands the use of the variable sized root directory on both 
FAT32 and FAT16 (and I assume FAT12), so avoids this problem.

---druck

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3645

In article <jhhdrm$m7m$1@dont-email.me>, druck <news@druck.org.uk> wrote:
> On 15/02/2012 20:13, Fred Bambrough wrote:
> >> I stick them in my Windows machine&  choose Format, the top of the list
> >> is FAT so I presume this means they are currently FAT16. Am I right in
> >> that assumption? Is there any other way of checking what the current
> >> format is? Should I reformat them as FAT (16) or is there any advantage
> >> in formatting them FAT32? Will my RiscPC even recognise FAT32?
> >
> > Without using an add-on utility to read FAT32 you want FAT16.

> You want to use a FAT32 utility in any case, as versions of Windows from
> XP onwards do not follow the FAT16 specification which RISC OS's built in
> DOSFS understands.

> Windows creates a variable size FAT32 root directory instead of the old
> fixed sized root directory which FAT16 was supposed to have. This leads to
> files being written by Windows which aren't seen by RISC OS, and vice
> versa, as they are looking at different root directories. Incidentally
> files aren't overwritten as allocation area is used correctly by both.

> FAT32FS understands the use of the variable sized root directory on both
> FAT32 and FAT16 (and I assume FAT12), so avoids this problem.

Thanks for that explanation.
Er! I don't think FAT32FS will run on my RiscPC.

-- 
Chris Newman

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3646

Hi,

>
> FAT32FS understands the use of the variable sized root directory on both
> FAT32 and FAT16 (and I assume FAT12), so avoids this problem.
>

I don't think that it does! Looking at the source code it seems to
only use
the variable length root directory on FAT32.

Jeff

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#3652

In message <jhhdrm$m7m$1@dont-email.me>
          druck <news@druck.org.uk> wrote:

> versions of Windows from XP onwards do not follow the FAT16 specification
> which RISC OS's built in DOSFS understands.
> 
> Windows creates a variable size FAT32 root directory instead of the old 
> fixed sized root directory which FAT16 was supposed to have.

Are you sure about that?  Isn't it simply that old versions of DOSFS
assumed that there was 1 reserved block, instead of reading the
number of reserved blocks from the drive?

Dave

[toc] | [prev] | [standalone]

Back to top | Article view | comp.sys.acorn.misc

csiph-web