Disk doesn't support files >4GB

[maddmodder]

Hello everyone. I need a little help with my HDD. When I go to open DVD decrypter the log file says " Drive C: (FAT32) does not support files > 4GB". I was wondering if someone can help me with this. I know I have enough space left on the disk (about 72GB). How can I make my disk able to support larger files? Thanks for any and all help!

[jman98]

You left out the most important piece of information - what version of Windows are you running? If you Windows 2000 or XP, there is a utility that can convert a FAT32 file system to NTFS. If you are still running Windows ME or earlier, there is nothing you can do. I don't remember the name of the utility that converts FAT32 to NTFS, but a web search might find it. Post back with which version of Windows you have and someone might be able to tell you where to find this utility.

[maddmodder]

Oops! Sorry! Totally slipped my mind. I'm running XP Pro. Thanks for reminding me!

[ViRaL1]

If you're converting your C: drive from FAT32 to NTFS you would open a command prompt and type...

CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS

It will ask you the volume name and a couple other questions to confirm that it's really what you want to do. It will take some time depending on the size of your volume and how much data you have on it.

[redwudz]

'Just in case', you might want to back up any irreplaceable files before the conversion, though it should pose no threat to your files.

[maddmodder]

Thanks guys! I'll let ya know how it goes.

[CrayonEater]

FYI, there are additional security risks to using NTFS. A partial workaround is to format one partition - preferably a data partition that does not contain the OS or programs - as NTFS. But don't let me scare you - if you truly need large file support on all partitions, then go with NTFS.

[ybeard]

It's a limitation by Microsoft that FAT32 can't handle files larger than 4GB. As others have stated, you'll have to either convert to NTFS, or I think you can alter DVD Decrypter to split into files less than 4GB in size, ie (4) 1GB files instead of a single 4GB+ file.

[ybeard]

FYI, there are additional security risks to using NTFS. A partial workaround is to format one partition - preferably a data partition that does not contain the OS or programs - as NTFS. But don't let me scare you - if you truly need large file support on all partitions, then go with NTFS.

What security risks are there in using NTFS vs FAT32? If anything, NTFS is supposedly MORE secure than using FAT or FAT32 partitions. It also is more efficient in the way it stores data than is FAT32, allowing you to effectively store more data in the same amount of space since the cluster sizes are much smaller in NTFS than in FAT32.

[maddmodder]

Thanks CrayonEater. I get what your saying but I've only got one partition on my drive. But if I had more than one then I would definitley do what you suggested.

[Cornucopia]

Then split your partition into 2!
(but back up 1st )

Scott

[drjtech]

FYI, there are additional security risks to using NTFS.

Such as?????

[maddmodder]

Hey guys. I just finished converting the disk and it worked great. All my files are still here so I'm pretty pleased. Thanks for all the help!

[guns1inger]

Run a defrag on the disk. The conversion process also changes block sizes, and can result in a very fragmented file system. A full defrag should put things right again.

[maddmodder]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll be sure to do that!

[Faustus]

FYI, there are additional security risks to using NTFS. A partial workaround is to format one partition - preferably a data partition that does not contain the OS or programs - as NTFS. But don't let me scare you - if you truly need large file support on all partitions, then go with NTFS.

Incorrect. NTFS is the MORE secure file system.

[Dv8ted2]

FYI, there are additional security risks to using NTFS. A partial workaround is to format one partition - preferably a data partition that does not contain the OS or programs - as NTFS. But don't let me scare you - if you truly need large file support on all partitions, then go with NTFS.

Incorrect. NTFS is the MORE secure file system.

True - NTFS is more secure.

[CrayonEater]

Familiarize yourselves with alternate data streams. That's why NTFS is less secure. Essentially, it allows data to be hidden on disk and the streams are not reaily visible or accessible. It's kind of like back in the old days when we used to hide data in the tails of sectors or clusters, except ADS' are genuine data, have their own Master File Table entries, and won't be erased by moving or modifying files.

While NTFS does have some security advantages, the ability to hide survivable, reliable data largely undermines that.

[drjtech]

If you are concerned about ADS there are free utilities to help you out:
http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1822

Even with ADS NTFS is far and away more secure and more stable than FAT/FAT32. ADS is mostly a theoretical threat. Compared to RootKits, which affect FAT/FAT32 as well as NTFS, ADS is bush league.

-drjtech