Problem Extracting RAR files

manutd_2

i have this file which is 700mb but when extracted it should extract to over 4GB, however when extracting the file it says you can only extract over 4gb of data on a ntfs drive.

i have tried many programs such as winace, winrar and extract now

can anyone help?

bbb_uk

manutd wrote:

...however when extracting the file it says you can only extract over 4gb of data on a ntfs drive...

This is true for harddrives that are formatted as FAT32. It is a limitation of the filesystem (FAT32) that no one single file can be larger than 4GB.

How much capacity do you have on your harddrive and how much free?

There are two choices the way I see it:-

1. Convert your FAT32 drive to NTFS
2. Create a partition (new drive from free space on your existing harddrive) and format this drive to NTFS.

On my computer I have 160GB harddrive and I partitioned it so that 60GB of that harddrive was used as another drive that was formatted as NTFS, and the 100GB I kept on the FAT32 filesystem as its generally quicker (WinXP boots from the FAT32 filesystem) but it not as secure as NTFS though!

My system harddrive details below:-

1 physical harddrive that is partitioned to give me two drives as follows:-

Drive C: Formatted to FAT32 and has a capacity of 100GB. WinXP also boots from this drive.

Drive Formatted to NTFS and has a capacity of 60GB. I use this drive for general stuff and personal files and for any one single file that wont fit on drive C: because it is over 4GB in size.

Do you have WinXP?

manutd_2

i have a 160GB harddrive with 120GB of space free, windows xp home edition

bbb_uk

Then you could do something similiar to what I have. Create a partition of say 50GB and format that as NTFS. That should solve your problems, or alternatively, convert the whole drive to NTFS.

NTFS filesystems are better in a lot of ways compared to FAT32 drives but NTFS are slower filesystems (reading/writing) than FAT32 drives and I have even read a M$ article where M$ admitted to this. That is why I have two partitions and get the best of both worlds (as they say)!

I use Partition Magic to create (partition) and format my drives so unless you have a copy of this then there may be other programmes out there that are free but I don't know of any so can anyone else help with this?

manutd_2

i was warned against turning my drive into ntfs by my computer manufaturer as it affects the hidden parts on my hardrive such as my backup copy of windows xp, apparently when i transform my drive to ntfs i will not be able to reload a fresh copy of windows xp from my harddive

bbb_uk

I don't know what he's been telling you or even why he would say that!!

If you create a partition (new drive) then this new partition would be NTFS and the existing one would still be FAT32 (not changed at all) but your disc space would be reduced as you use a set amount of free disc space to create this new drive (partition). It doesn't have to be 50GB you use, it could be any amount you want but I'd say minimum of 20GB at least though. If you created a new drive/partition and used 20GB from your existing drive then you would still have 100GB free space on your existing drive.

manutd_2

would the partition be reversible, would i be able to convert my ntfs partition back to fat32

manutd_2

i might just buy a cheap 2nd hardrive and turn that second drive into a full ntfs drive

bbb_uk

manutd wrote:

would the partition be reversible, would i be able to convert my ntfs partition back to fat32

You can - using some software like Partition Magic.

i might just buy a cheap 2nd hardrive and turn that second drive into a full ntfs drive

Try and make sure it has a capacity of at least 10GB ideally 20+GB. As once its formatted to NTFS the NTFS filesystem takes up its little bit of space for maintenance, etc - similiar to FAT32 filesystems.

manutd_2

would i be able to extract the file straight to a dvd-r

Mattjimf

Probably not, as your computer will have to extract it onto your hard drive first, then burn it onto dvd.