HDD with Raspberry Pi -> too small capacity now

[Brickberry]

Hi
(sorry for bad english)

I used my Raspberry to format my HDD and now the HDD capacity is only about 31GB (250GB should it be). When I try to format it on Windows I only can choose 31GB, there is no opportunity for 250GB. Now I'm a little bit confused.

I have the same problem with SD Cards when I use it in the Raspberry for the OS. I solved it with putting it into my Camera and formatting it with the camera what I don't really understand why but it works.

I hope anybody can help me

Bricky

[HaQue]

Hi,

seems to me like a partition issue.

if you just want to format the whole drive and don't need any data that may be on it:
NOTE:This is for windows 7, adjust accordingly to your version of windows
put the drive in a pc with windows.
1. click "Start" and right click on "Computer", and click "Manage"
2. Under "Storage", click "Disk Management"
3. Fid your Disk MAKE DOUBLE SURE IT IS THE CORRECT DISK !
4. right click and delete all volumes on the disk, follow the prompts to do it.
5. right-click and create a new volume using the whole disk, and format it.

If any of the above doesn't work, post detailed descriptions of what is not working.

good luck

[Brickberry]

Thank you! Worked fine

[HaQue]

That good, great to hear. I have 3 Raspberry Pi's so its nice to know to there may be issues with that.
Well done mate!

[hddguy]

When I try to format it on Windows I only can choose 31GB,

This is limitation imposed on FAT32 partitions in Windows.

[HaQue]

I am guessing here the actual limitation on his drive was done by the Raspberry Pi during partitioning.

Im pretty sure Windows wouldnt just partition the drive and format it without user interaction, and the FAT32 option likely wouldnt have been presented. Also the limitation of FAT32 is explained here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc938432.aspx

Maximum volume size - 32 GB (This is due to the Windows 2000 format utility. The maximum volume size that Windows 98 can create is 127.53 GB).

It is the tools that create these limitation that are below the actual technical limits.

It also is not a good idea in many cases to stray outside the limits.

I have formatted a Samsung S2 (usb 2.0)500GB drive to FAT32 using fat32format. Worked fine.