F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop You tried to format a new SSD, but the FAT32 file format is no longer deletable.

You tried to format a new SSD, but the FAT32 file format is no longer deletable.

You tried to format a new SSD, but the FAT32 file format is no longer deletable.

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predafight
Member
68
03-19-2022, 02:56 PM
#1
I purchased a new SSD and aimed to copy my 120GB boot drive to the larger 512GB version. I attempted mirroring three times, but the process kept failing because it would revert back to MBR and default settings despite having a dynamic drive and GPT partitioning. During another attempt, I mistakenly set the 512GB drive to dynamic before planning to remove partitions, only to find FAT32 refused deletion. I’m stuck without a Windows boot CD and need assistance narrowing down possible solutions. Thanks for any help!
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predafight
03-19-2022, 02:56 PM #1

I purchased a new SSD and aimed to copy my 120GB boot drive to the larger 512GB version. I attempted mirroring three times, but the process kept failing because it would revert back to MBR and default settings despite having a dynamic drive and GPT partitioning. During another attempt, I mistakenly set the 512GB drive to dynamic before planning to remove partitions, only to find FAT32 refused deletion. I’m stuck without a Windows boot CD and need assistance narrowing down possible solutions. Thanks for any help!

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theHesh
Member
159
03-19-2022, 03:14 PM
#2
I think the simplest option is to create a Linux boot disc like RescueCd or Ubuntu live CD. You can use Rufus to generate it. Then write 1MB of zeros onto the target disk. Disconnect your primary storage or anything containing data. This method is recommended, though not essential. To prevent accidental data loss, boot into Linux by running Terminal if using a GUI. Check lsblk to identify the correct disk (sda/sdb for SATA, nvme0 for NVMe). Confirm the disk name again, then run sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/TARGETDRIVE with 1M bps, count=1. After reboot, you should be set.
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theHesh
03-19-2022, 03:14 PM #2

I think the simplest option is to create a Linux boot disc like RescueCd or Ubuntu live CD. You can use Rufus to generate it. Then write 1MB of zeros onto the target disk. Disconnect your primary storage or anything containing data. This method is recommended, though not essential. To prevent accidental data loss, boot into Linux by running Terminal if using a GUI. Check lsblk to identify the correct disk (sda/sdb for SATA, nvme0 for NVMe). Confirm the disk name again, then run sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/TARGETDRIVE with 1M bps, count=1. After reboot, you should be set.

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stoneeee
Member
61
03-19-2022, 05:28 PM
#3
Do you possess an additional USB stick with a minimum of 8GB capacity? If yes, then you have the Windows installation media. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/wind...c3b507420d
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stoneeee
03-19-2022, 05:28 PM #3

Do you possess an additional USB stick with a minimum of 8GB capacity? If yes, then you have the Windows installation media. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/wind...c3b507420d

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Nytirix
Junior Member
49
03-21-2022, 07:31 PM
#4
It seems the program EaseUS was removed from the system. Your tips were really helpful—thank you! You're doing great.
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Nytirix
03-21-2022, 07:31 PM #4

It seems the program EaseUS was removed from the system. Your tips were really helpful—thank you! You're doing great.

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CodeBreaker18
Junior Member
36
03-22-2022, 02:58 AM
#5
You might use a tool such as Aomei partition assistant to organize the drive and switch between MBR or GPT formats. If your original 120GB boot drive is set up with MBR and has an older version of Windows, you’ll need to perform a UEFI conversion to make it compatible with GPT. These steps are completely different processes.
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CodeBreaker18
03-22-2022, 02:58 AM #5

You might use a tool such as Aomei partition assistant to organize the drive and switch between MBR or GPT formats. If your original 120GB boot drive is set up with MBR and has an older version of Windows, you’ll need to perform a UEFI conversion to make it compatible with GPT. These steps are completely different processes.

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RainyToast
Member
78
03-29-2022, 05:53 PM
#6
Once on Linux, switch to gparted.
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RainyToast
03-29-2022, 05:53 PM #6

Once on Linux, switch to gparted.

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CocaCola15
Senior Member
603
03-29-2022, 08:34 PM
#7
He plans to replicate the old Windows setup onto that storage device, which means partition management will be unnecessary. Manually transferring files and repairing the bootloader doesn’t seem like the best approach... Aomei should also be viable, though I haven’t tried it before. I tend to oppose copying the system drive. Instead, I’ll perform a fresh installation on the new drive and move functional data from the old one.
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CocaCola15
03-29-2022, 08:34 PM #7

He plans to replicate the old Windows setup onto that storage device, which means partition management will be unnecessary. Manually transferring files and repairing the bootloader doesn’t seem like the best approach... Aomei should also be viable, though I haven’t tried it before. I tend to oppose copying the system drive. Instead, I’ll perform a fresh installation on the new drive and move functional data from the old one.

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Chompex
Junior Member
41
03-31-2022, 02:00 PM
#8
Agreed, I never mirror OS drives out of concern for partition alignment that can degrade SSD performance/life span. Plus its a good opportunity to have a good clearout and install a fresh copy of the latest OS release to avoid any niggling glitches Windows Update has caused.
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Chompex
03-31-2022, 02:00 PM #8

Agreed, I never mirror OS drives out of concern for partition alignment that can degrade SSD performance/life span. Plus its a good opportunity to have a good clearout and install a fresh copy of the latest OS release to avoid any niggling glitches Windows Update has caused.

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mart1994
Junior Member
46
04-03-2022, 01:43 AM
#9
Some SSD/NVME manufacturers offer free tools to transfer your operating system to a new drive. I recently installed a 1TB Samsung Pro NVME on my workstation and used their utility to clone the system drive. My PC started up smoothly with no problems, and I keep the old drive as a backup just in case. Crucial also provides a similar solution based on Acronis. These are straightforward options. While it’s advisable to perform a fresh Windows installation, I have many installed programs with complex settings. A full install would take most of a day to configure properly. That’s my scenario, and yours might differ—especially if you only have a few programs, a fresh install should be simple.
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mart1994
04-03-2022, 01:43 AM #9

Some SSD/NVME manufacturers offer free tools to transfer your operating system to a new drive. I recently installed a 1TB Samsung Pro NVME on my workstation and used their utility to clone the system drive. My PC started up smoothly with no problems, and I keep the old drive as a backup just in case. Crucial also provides a similar solution based on Acronis. These are straightforward options. While it’s advisable to perform a fresh Windows installation, I have many installed programs with complex settings. A full install would take most of a day to configure properly. That’s my scenario, and yours might differ—especially if you only have a few programs, a fresh install should be simple.

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Arcseid
Junior Member
12
04-03-2022, 02:53 AM
#10
I wouldn't assume just because suppliers offer it, it must be the best choice. They won’t prioritize fixing your SSD if it fails a day after warranty ends instead of lasting longer than that. I understand feeling a bit anxious, but I haven’t experienced an SSD failure since the early days with the faulty Sandforce controller.
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Arcseid
04-03-2022, 02:53 AM #10

I wouldn't assume just because suppliers offer it, it must be the best choice. They won’t prioritize fixing your SSD if it fails a day after warranty ends instead of lasting longer than that. I understand feeling a bit anxious, but I haven’t experienced an SSD failure since the early days with the faulty Sandforce controller.