FAT32 incompatible with Windows

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FAT32 incompatible with Windows

When I format a USB thumb drive (haven't tried a HDD) as MS-DOS(FAT32) using Disk Utility, it works on my MacBook Pro and I can use it on my wife's MacBook as well. The problem is that if I connect it to Windows machines, Windows says the disk hasn't been formatted, and asks to format it.

I can reproduce this by formatting on multiple Macs, and using multiple XP and Vista machines to read the disk.

If I format it using Windows, the Macs can still read the disk.

Any clue why FAT32 formatting on Mac is unreadable by Windows XP and Vista?

MBP 15", Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Dec 1, 2008 6:48 AM

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Answer 1

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computechrx

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71 points

Dec 1, 2008 7:25 AM in response to funnyguy00

funny,

be sure when you partition the USB drive using Disk Utility, after you select the number of partitions, that you also selected "Master Boot Record" in the "Options" block and not GUID or Apple Partition Map.

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Answer 2

funnyguy00 Author

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Dec 1, 2008 7:48 AM in response to funnyguy00

Ah, yes. Apparently a previously formatted disk with a GUID partition map will be formatted FAT32 while retaining the GUID partition map if you only use the "Erase" function. Erase doesn't allow changing of partition schemes. I used the "Partition" function and changed to MBR, and it worked. Thanks.

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