format 3TB external HD in winXP

1.將外接硬碟接到Window XP上
2.[開始]->[執行]->輸入[cmd]
3.輸入[diskpart]->輸入[list disk]->(記住磁碟代號)
->輸入[select disk 磁碟代號]->輸入[clean]->輸入[exit]兩次
4.[我的電腦]按右鍵->選[管理]->選[磁碟管理]->出現磁碟轉換精靈->下一步 > 下一步 > 完成
5.在[磁碟管理]選擇要建立partition硬碟->右鍵選[New Partition]->下一步直到完成


orign from http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/312523-Using-3TB-external-drives-with-Windows-XP-32-bit
I just wasted hours after impulse buying a 3TB external drive only to find it wasn't recognized by my XP machines. Trying to find a straight answer to whether they can work together was near impossible.
The answer is yes. The 5 minute fix was to use diskpart to clear the GPT partition table, then on an XP machine initialize the disk (as MBR style) then create one big partition/drive. Because the disk presents itself as having 4K sectors instead of the standard 512 byte ones, the 2TB limit of XP is raised to (presumably) 16TB.

orign from:How to correctly format this drive for use under Windows XP
If you mess things up by trying to connect the drive directly instead of through the included adapter, and end up with multiple partitions etc., here's how to fix things:

This must be done under Windows XP. If it is done under Windows 7, then things will work under Windows 7 but will not work under Windows XP, look, there is no drive letter under Windows XP:

So you can only use the drive under Windows XP if you:

1. Put the adapter back on and connect it through the adapter.

2. Go to Windows XP DOS [if Windows Vista/7 DOS is used, then the drive will not be visible under Windows XP.]

• diskpart
• list disk
• select disk #
[of the External Drive]
• clean
• exit
• exit

Right click on My Computer in Windows XP > Manage > Disk Management > Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard will pop up >
Next > Next > Finish

Scroll down to the Disk # of the drive and Right Click on where it says Unallocated > New Partition... >
Next > Next > Next > Next > Next > Finish
[You can assign different drive letter or drive name if you wish before clicking on Next. Quick format will take less than a minute, Long Format will take hours and hours but is recommended initially to make sure there are no problems with the drive.]


I am assuming we should leave the Allocation unit size on Default but I did a quick format under Windows XP then rebooted into Windows 7 where I did a long format under Windows 7 using the 4096 byte Allocation unit size.

P.S. If you don't have My Computer under Windows XP - here's the long way to get to Disk Management:
Windows XP > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management