Hopefully someone can help me, I'm feeling a little dim on this one!

I am aware I need to format a USB to ext3 so I can transfer data to and from my HDR - however this is not a format option on my laptop running Vista, and a quick Google tells me that format is not supported under Windows.

Is there a patch/plug-in or something I can use with Vista that allows me to do this?

thanks in advance.

laz.

See this thread.

Graham's instructions on the AVForums link is particularly good (but use SLAX).

Rgds.

Les.

I use ext2fsd http://www.ext2fsd.com

How did you use ext2fsd to format an existing FAT16/32/NTFS drive to ext3?

Rgds.

Les.
Last edited by savvy : 19-11-2009 at 11:25

Not sure what the "ext3" is about though maybe you are talking about external hard-disks rather than flash pendrives/sticks?

I have 100% successfully used both 2GB and a 8GB USB flash stick/pendrives with my HDR and they show as being FAT32 in Vista - eg last night copied a 2.45GB programme to the 8GB FAT32 without any issues (apart from sloth).

What MAY be confusing some people is that file copy interface seems a bit odd to Windows users ?

a) Copying to what appears to be the ROOT directory - it wants the apparent "sub-folder" opened (but on a Vista PC that IS the root directory so I think it's part of the Unix interface that I've never bothered to understand).

b) If a file to copy is TOO big for the drive then it seems that SOMETIMES it doesn't report as too big, but just acts as if impotent to do anything. (Haven't found where in the interface to find the file size, but no doubt it's there somewhere?)

Anyway that's my cursory HDR & USB observations based on a couple of USB episodes - ie to update firmware/boot & copy a file off with FAT32 2GB & 8GB USB sticks = fine.

MKD

You have to use the ext3 format to overcome the 4GB individual filesize limit of FAT32. It applies to both USB sticks & USB HDDs.

An hour of SD is very approximately 2GB, and an hour of HD is very approximately 4GB.

Rgds.


Les.

Ah thanks for that insight Les - one learns every day!

It's a bit complicated. ext2fsd won't format, it simply allows ext3 formatted disks/usb devices to show up in Windows. To format I used gparted and followed the instructions here: http://www.networkedmediatank.com/sh....php?tid=26629
I downloaded the file as per the instructions and burnt it onto a DVD as an iso file (I downloaded the separate free iso-burner to make the iso file).
Then I made sure that my start-up menu was set to boot from an iso DVD or CD, turned off my PC and switched on again. A Linux-type interface comes up from which you can format a disk or usb in ext 3.
Good luck! It seems a bit daunting but it worked for me.

Sorry Nick, I know how ext2fsd works, and how to format under Linux, but I was curious as to how forlans thought they'd done it

I was being a bit disingenuous, I apologise.

Rgds.


Les.

If there's an easier way than using Linux/gparted, please tell us!

No there isn't, that's the point of my OP to fourlans - ext2fsd will not do the format, only to view the partition under Windows, once created by another method.

Rgds.

Les..

I have a Buffalo link station NAS which I use to backup my PC. It has a USB port so that you can add an additional drive and it lets you choose to format this in ext3.

I used the link station to format a Samsung 1TB Story Station external USB drive, in ext3, which I then plugged into the back of my HDR and its working fine.

If I then want to get something off the HDR onto the PC I plug the external drive back into the link station and access it across the network. This however is a bit slow.

I don't know if the link station will also format a USB stick but if you already have a link station then it might be worth a try.

Glyn

Nice one Glyn thanks for that


I currently only have a selection of 4GB and under so when I get anything bigger will give it a go.

I downloaded a copy of Partition Magic v10 - Personal http://www.partition-manager.com/
(there's a free trial version available but the formatting element of the programme isn't active until you pay). It costs £26 to activate.

It works with windows (I've XP), and eliminates the need to create a disc to boot up in Linux.

I'm know there are cheaper ways to format in Ext3, but for those of us less technically minded, this is a much easier method.

Hey Jonboy59 - what a good pointer you provided to me!

The Dennis Publishing's PC Pro magazine Issue 180 October 2009 came with a "free" cover disc which included Paragon Hard Disk Manager 9.5 Special Edition.

I had installed it and then removed it as redundant. Just reinstalled & checked and it does indeed include the ability to format in "Linux ext3" format (it's within the Advanced Options button - it took 6 minutes for a Sandisk Cruzer 8GB USB memory stick. Thanks for that pointer - so I'm now ready for >4GB files !

And for any other PC Pro users check your CD/DVD stack for Issue 180 (otherwise some Googling may find it for you, but I can only vouch for what was included on the PC Pro disc edition).

MKD

Great news - I did see a link to PC Pro relating to this give-away, but unfortunately the download from their site was no longer available - hence I had to splash out.
Delighted it worked for you. Happy viewing!

BoB-cat please save us from this USB madness and give us some kind of network transfer !

It's worthwhile downloading GParted - Linux partitioning tool - latest version. This utility is bootable. Burn to disk - you simply let it boot at initial load select the United Kingdom option entering 40 and enter. At the next option select English British 20 and enter which wil take you to a new Window listing you drives. (Obviously you insert your USB before booting your GParted CD) Highlight the drive Move to the top task bar of the utility and you will be able select the file format of your choice ext3. Once done select quit

Also worthwhile downloading and burning to CD is Super Grub - Linux Boot Loader Utility This will allow you to boot a Windows system that locks up. for whatever reason.

Download from http://rapidshare.com/files/239892682/Setup.msi (slow unless you have a RapidShare Premium Account).

Register here http://www.paragon-software.com/regi...ition_vnu.html. You'll get product key & serial number for installation.

Thanks BillH2009 - too late for me, but hopefully others will be able to take advantage.

Regards - Jonboy59

I didn't read the OP's post properly re formatting a drive in ext3. I used Nimblex for the format. Sorry for the confusion.

Download from http://rapidshare.com/files/239892682/Setup.msi (slow unless you have a RapidShare Premium Account).

Register here http://www.paragon-software.com/regi...ition_vnu.html. You'll get product key & serial number for installation.


thank you for the links , finally got scandisk cruzer 16gb formatted, now recognised by foxsat hdr.

however tried to transfer music video`s from computer(xp)
to scandisk but wont let me?.

computer shows scandisk as 2 drive`s,
1-U3 system scandisk software (6.66mb)
2-removeable disk (not accessible) ask me to format drive?

does windows xp not recognise ext3 drives?.

what can i do to access drive.
thank you for any input.

bought hdr in july , excellent product.
bought a pvr 9300t 2 weeks ago,loads recorded.

No windows does not read EXT3 drives without a seperate driver. There is one available but it's known to sometimes corrupt ext3 drives. Best way is to make a linux boot disc for your pc nad use linux to transfer the files to a ntfs volume

thanks graham ,i have a linux boot disk from previous attempt at formatting scandisk drive.
will persevere.

I`m a bit new to all this so please tell me if I`ve got it wrong.
I`ve been using Acronis True Image for years mainly just for backups.
It does include a Manage Hard Drives utility whereby you can add new drives and format it to whatever you like.
Screenshot here.http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/e...ent=Ext2-3.jpg
Does this do what this thread is all about or have I misread something.
Thanks guys.