Formatting a backup drive

[Gary daLuz Vieira]

I've got a 2T Western Digital My Passport external hard drive that I have been successfully using to backup my Brennan B2. Before a recent backup I did a quick format but failed to notice that the format type was NTFS. The B2 didn't recognise that anything was connected to USB A. I tried to reformat the disc to FAT32 but my PC, which is now on Windows 11, doesn't give FAT32 as an option. I tried exFAT with the same result of no recognition.

I have contacted WD and after attempting a few of their suggestions, including connecting to a Windows 10 PC, they have finally said that they don't know that any current operating system will offer me FAT32 as an option and suggested I try to find some third party software.

Has anyone else had this problem and, hopefully, found a solution? All and any suggestions considered and gratefully received - I don't want to be left without a backup!

Thanks

[JFBUK]

Hi Gary,

you can format the drive when it is connected to the B2. It will format to FAT32.

Its an option in The MAINTENANCE menu.

john

[Gary daLuz Vieira]

Hi John, I have tried this, the problem is that the Brennan says there is nothing connected to USB A

Perhaps if I revert to NTFS and try again.

Thanks for the suggestion

Gary

[JFBUK]

Hi Gary

yes try that and let us know.

Windows 11 will format to FAT32 for some drives but not all WD it seems.

I have a WD Elements drive and the only format options are NTFS and exFAT

This may be of interest

https://www.diskpart.com/articles/western-digital-fat32-formatting-tool-3889.html

John

[Daniel Taylor]

No matter which format that is not FAT32, the B2 will behave as if there is nothing connected.  Ignore the message and proceed with the Format command that John pointed out.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Barry

Daniel is correct, It will appear that nothing is connected to the B2 if it is not FAT32. BUT carry on with the format process on the B2 and you will find that it WILL work.

Fred.

[Gary daLuz Vieira]

Thanks to both Daniel and Fred. Before I got your reassuring mails, I found a conversion software site - https://www.diskpart.com/articles/reformat-to-fat32-3889.html

Worked a treat and I'm safely backed up again. Happy New year

Cheers

Gary

[Earl Drumheiser]

I was successful reformatting a seagate 2T drive to Fat32 using the AOEMI partition assistant software as recommended by garydal.