Formatting HDD to FAT32

Xbigman

I need to format a HDD to FAT32 in order to install windows 98. Does anyone know of any windows 10 software that I can use with a docking station to achieve this?
Thanks




Darren

Robisere

Googled it:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files/cant-format-flash-drive-to-fat32-in-windows-10/0d47d1ce-5f7d-41f9-a996-720cfedc4e16

Google is your friend! Looks like the SECOND answer is the best solution, ignore the "flas drive" bit in the first answer: second answer gives the Hdd solution.

forgotmyname

fat32format its a free tool. just a simple exe file no install etc.

I formatted a 320GB hard drive to FAT32 for a raspberry pi project.

Xbigman

I googled the problem but the only results were for DOS or used third party websites. In any case Robisere's solution has worked.

Of course it is now saying I don't have a CDRom drive.




Darren

Xbigman

After reading this page I essentially gave up.

https://www.computing.net/answers/windows-95/windows-98-installation-from-cd-and-from-usb-stick-both-fail/170953.html

Now I did have a couple of games running in Vista at one time. I recall that they didn't run in vanilla Vista then they would run, then an update killed them again. I'm wondering if downloading the Vista updates one at a time and trying the games might work. Maybe when I have a spare month or two I'll try it


Darren

Neil_Jones

You can format to FAT32 in Windows 10 but the drive you format needs to be smaller than I think 32Gb otherwise you will only get the option as NTFS.

If your aim is to run some old software have you tried looking at a virtual machine instead? Something like https://www.virtualbox.org/ - you can install Windows 98 into that without the need to upset anything on your current computer.

AndyPix

^^ Great answer from Neil

esuhl

Xbigman wrote: »

Now I did have a couple of games running in Vista at one time. I recall that they didn't run in vanilla Vista then they would run, then an update killed them again. I'm wondering if downloading the Vista updates one at a time and trying the games might work. Maybe when I have a spare month or two I'll try it

If you run into problems, check out the "compatibility options" for the executables.

http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/set-compatibility-mode-windows-10

Xbigman

It will probably be more constructive to try to get the games to run than to piddle about with a different computer setup. I've used dosbox to get a couple of games running already, and I can repurchase a lot from the likes of GOG or Steam (I must do a poll one day on which people hate having on their computers more, W10 or Steam:)). I do have an issue with buying a game I already own just to get it to run but they are mostly pretty cheap and I can probably get over it.
Many thanks everyone



Darren