How can I format an external hard disk (USB2)?

On your desktop right click on My Computer.
Select Manage.
In the tree view, select Storage, then Disk Management.
IDENTIFY THE CORRECT HARD DISK. MAKING A WRONG CHOICE HERE WILL CAUSE YOU TO FORMAT THE WRONG DEVICE!!!! YOU COULD LOOSE DATA!!!!
Right click on the hard disk that you wish to format.
Select Create Partion.
Select Primary Partion
Select the size of the partion (use the default value to format the whole of the drive)
Specify drive letter (best to use the default)
Choose the right format type. (NTFS for Win XP & Win 2K. Fat 32 for others.)
Click Finish.
When the disk is 100% formatted close the Computer Management utility.

Finch
February 2004