Solved Recovery problem on ext HDD

Hi all, put w8 recovery on a 1TB ext HDD; Decided after to put on smaller HDD & copied to it.
Now my 1TB ext HDD reads empty but only 31.9GO! Tried format & Seatools, which says everything ok.
Can anyone tell me (gently) how to get my HDD to full capacity again?

I would also like to delete the recovery from the main HDD & save space. I was given this option at the time but can't find it now?



Thanks in advance
Dave

deebee said:

Hi all, put w8 recovery on a 1TB ext HDD; Decided after to put on smaller HDD & copied to it.
Now my 1TB ext HDD reads empty but only 31.9GO! Tried format & Seatools, which says everything ok.
Can anyone tell me (gently) how to get my HDD to full capacity again?

Thanks in advance
Dave

Click to expand...

Try Cleaning the HD Drive, using
Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command - Windows 7 Help Forums

I would also like to delete the recovery from the main HDD & save space. I was given this option at the time but can't find it now?

Click to expand...

Thanks theog, I'll give this a go tomorrow & let you know how got on
atb
db

Just put the HDD into an ext box & the pc wont even recognise it now.
Box works with other HHD's

db

Choose fat32 or ntfs for recovery

Hi all, as above, just bought a 16GB USB stick to put my W8 recovery on.
Should I leave this as Fat32 or format to NTFS for this purpose (& why might be useful in later life!!)
cheers
db

NTFS! FAT32 has a file size wirte limit of 4GBs. So, if you wanted to backup a system image, it would not work. NTFS! You can always reformat back to FAT32 if needed.

Thanks for the prompt reply.
I don't understand the differences, but what you are saying is my stick on Fat 32 will only hold a quarter of the information that it will hold if I format to NTFS?
In that case, when I buy a 16GB stick, why sell me one that will only hold 4GB unless I alter it?
What is the advantage of Fat32?

So, I need to reformat to NTFS to have enough memory to put on my W8 recovery?

Also, as I have already stated, I don't understand this, so I am NOT trying to be a 'know it all' but I read somewhere else that you can format Fat 32 to NTFS but not the other way around?
cheers Dave

I understand that you are not trying to be a know it all because you are asking questions; yes?

You can format back and forth. See images below:

View attachment 24283

View attachment 24284

View attachment 24285

All are images of the SAME 16GB USB Flash Drive. When formatted as FAT32, I would not be able to save a 6GB .ISO file even though I (technically) had the room to store it.

View attachment 24286

So, did my last post clear up any confusion? Do you have any more questions? Did I help you today?

You can use the ACER version of
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

When using the Acer or Windows Recovery USB app, the drive will be formatted to FAT32.

theog said:

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html
​

You can use the ACER version of
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

   Warning

Deleting the Recovery Partition is NOT RECOMMENDED

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

When using the Acer or Windows Recovery USB app, the drive will be formatted to FAT32.

Click to expand...

A good recommendation but if you decide to burn an ISO image and/or use some 3rd party image backup/restore software, you will need to be formatted as NTFS. You choice from here. Good luck.

deebee said:

Hi all, as above, just bought a 16GB USB stick to put my W8 recovery on.
Should I leave this as Fat32 or format to NTFS for this purpose (& why might be useful in later life!!)
cheers
db

Click to expand...

Hi Deebee,

Always do use Fat32. on the backup of side always!

Use always NTFS on the restore side, I have been doing this for over 20 years and there will be no negative side affects down the road...

Backup up always in Fat/32 format and restore always in NTFS format and your set...

Fat/32 to Fat/32 will give you driver issues

NTFS to NTFS will also give you driver issues


PS: Solid State Drives heads up its a new game and I warn you require specific software to format STD's is required Warning and Heads Up!!!

A UEFI USB Recovery drive, can only boot from FAT32 drive.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
or
A UEFI Windows 7/8 (& Linux) install USB drive,can only boot from FAT32 drive.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html

Right youse lot my op seems to have been completely lost in gibberish ( to pc illiterate me!)
I will explain fully what I need to know & hope for a simple answer (in words of one syllable or less)

I put my original recovery on to ext HDD. Later I spotted 'save to DVD' & did this & then erased my HDD
I have since learned that the DVD I have now made is not a full recovery.

HEXT STEP My daughter has just bought the same PC, Acer Aspire XC100 , so what I want to do is make a USB recovery USB from her PC for her, & copy it to another USB stick for me

Will this work & do I need a 16CB Fat32 stick or 16GB NTFS for these operations?
Please be gentle with me. I am aged 62 & this was NOT taught at school!!!
Dave

Explorertml said:

deebee said:

Hi all, as above, just bought a 16GB USB stick to put my W8 recovery on.
Should I leave this as Fat32 or format to NTFS for this purpose (& why might be useful in later life!!)
cheers
db

Click to expand...

Hi Deebee,

Always do use Fat32. on the backup of side always!

Use always NTFS on the restore side, I have been doing this for over 20 years and there will be no negative side affects down the road...

Backup up always in Fat/32 format and restore always in NTFS format and your set...

Fat/32 to Fat/32 will give you driver issues

NTFS to NTFS will also give you driver issues


PS: Solid State Drives heads up its a new game and I warn you require specific software to format STD's is required Warning and Heads Up!!!

Click to expand...

Windows 8 Backup/Recovery seems to disagree with your logic:

View attachment 24307

Theog:
Recovery via a flash boot drive (eg, a full reinstall) was not the issue I was trying to address.