Windows Backup Utility -- Files Size Problem

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Eric B. - 30 Mar 2006 18:58 GMT

I recently bought an 80 GB external drive to use as a backup to my computer.
I ran XP's Backup Utility and directed it to send files and folders to the
new drive. I am only backing up about 10.1 GB, but received the following
error (not sure why, since the new drive is 80 GB!):

You have either run out of space, or the backup file (*.bkf) is too large
for this disk.
Note: If this disk is formatted with FAT 32, the maximum possible size for
the backup file is limited to 4GB.

The backup operation will stop.

Reply to this Message

Ted Zieglar - 30 Mar 2006 19:14 GMT

Is the drive formatted with FAT32?

Signature

Ted Zieglar
"A fool and his data are soon parted."

> I recently bought an 80 GB external drive to use as a backup to my computer.
> I ran XP's Backup Utility and directed it to send files and folders to the
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> The backup operation will stop.

Reply to this Message

Eric B. - 30 Mar 2006 19:49 GMT

Ted -- I'm not sure. It was a CompUSA private-label external hard drive with
no documentation, manual, etc. How can I tell if it is FAT 32, and if it is,
do I need to change some setting? Thanks for your help

> Is the drive formatted with FAT32?
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> >
> > The backup operation will stop.

Reply to this Message

Ted Zieglar - 30 Mar 2006 20:35 GMT

With the drive plugged in, go to My Computer and right-click on the icon for
the drive, selecting Properties. The General tab will tell you what file
system the drive has.

Signature

Ted Zieglar
"A fool and his data are soon parted."

> Ted -- I'm not sure. It was a CompUSA private-label external hard drive with
> no documentation, manual, etc. How can I tell if it is FAT 32, and if it is,
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> > >
> > > The backup operation will stop.

Reply to this Message

Eric B. - 30 Mar 2006 22:46 GMT

Ted -- the drive does have an FAT 32 system -- what does that mean and what
do I need to do in order to use it for backup?

thanks again,

Eric

> With the drive plugged in, go to My Computer and right-click on the icon for
> the drive, selecting Properties. The General tab will tell you what file
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> > > >
> > > > The backup operation will stop.

Reply to this Message

Ted Zieglar - 30 Mar 2006 22:56 GMT

The FAT32 file system supports a maximum file size of 4GB. IIRC, your backup
file is 10GB. To store a file that large, you will need to convert your
external drive to the NTFS file system.

Open the Help and Support Center and see the article: To convert a volume to
NTFS from the command prompt.

Note: The conversion process can take a long time. Do NOT interrupt it
before it is finished.

Signature

Ted Zieglar
"A fool and his data are soon parted."

> Ted -- the drive does have an FAT 32 system -- what does that mean and what
> do I need to do in order to use it for backup?
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
> > > > >
> > > > > The backup operation will stop.

Reply to this Message

Eric B. - 30 Mar 2006 23:33 GMT

Ted -- I thought we had it and I'm sorry to keep bugging you (Microsoft and
Dell each want to charge me $99.00 to do this!). When I followed your
instructions, I got the following at the command prompt:

The type of file system is FAT 32.
Enter current volume label for Drive F:

I'm not sure what to enter. When I went to the Help Center and looked at
the topic you recommended, it all seemed so easy. thanks

> The FAT32 file system supports a maximum file size of 4GB. IIRC, your backup
> file is 10GB. To store a file that large, you will need to convert your
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The backup operation will stop.

Reply to this Message

Ted Zieglar - 31 Mar 2006 15:32 GMT

Don't worry about it. Lots of people think I'm a bugger.

For a more detailed explanation, try this:

"Converting FAT32 to NTFS in Windows XP"
http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php

Signature

Ted Zieglar
"A fool and his data are soon parted."

> Ted -- I thought we had it and I'm sorry to keep bugging you (Microsoft and
> Dell each want to charge me $99.00 to do this!). When I followed your
[quoted text clipped - 58 lines]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The backup operation will stop.

Reply to this Message