Converting my external USB FAT external hard drive to NFTS

Hi:
I just purchased a maxtor usb external hard drive, while the computer has
recognized it, I cannot format it or convert it.
When I try to convert it using the command prompt saying it cannot
determine file system.
When I try to format it does read it all.
I am operating windows business vista, as this was purchased from e-bay the
item was probably run under a earlier version of windows can that be the
problem?, if so then I need to use the compatiablity wizard to operate it
under an earlier version but how do I apply the wizard to hardware when I
thought it can only be used for software?
It is a FAT system and not a FAT32 system- should I convert to a Fat32
system first and then NFTS? Or are they the same? I'm going to Maxtor to see
if their are any solutions there,
Thanks for the help.

you should have no problem going from fat to NTFS but i have never tried it
before, but i would not think there should be a proglem. as for the rest read
my post at the link below for where to go to format and partition things if
you like. i was able to format my 160gb usb drive using that. just right
click on the drive and format.

"ladymsvee" wrote:

> Hi:
> I just purchased a maxtor usb external hard drive, while the computer has
> recognized it, I cannot format it or convert it.
> When I try to convert it using the command prompt saying it cannot
> determine file system.
> When I try to format it does read it all.
> I am operating windows business vista, as this was purchased from e-bay the
> item was probably run under a earlier version of windows can that be the
> problem?, if so then I need to use the compatiablity wizard to operate it
> under an earlier version but how do I apply the wizard to hardware when I
> thought it can only be used for software?
> It is a FAT system and not a FAT32 system- should I convert to a Fat32
> system first and then NFTS? Or are they the same? I'm going to Maxtor to see
> if their are any solutions there,
> Thanks for the help.
>
>

heh i for got to post the link

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/com...g=en&cr=US&p=1

"ladymsvee" wrote:

> Hi:
> I just purchased a maxtor usb external hard drive, while the computer has
> recognized it, I cannot format it or convert it.
> When I try to convert it using the command prompt saying it cannot
> determine file system.
> When I try to format it does read it all.
> I am operating windows business vista, as this was purchased from e-bay the
> item was probably run under a earlier version of windows can that be the
> problem?, if so then I need to use the compatiablity wizard to operate it
> under an earlier version but how do I apply the wizard to hardware when I
> thought it can only be used for software?
> It is a FAT system and not a FAT32 system- should I convert to a Fat32
> system first and then NFTS? Or are they the same? I'm going to Maxtor to see
> if their are any solutions there,
> Thanks for the help.
>
>