compact drive questions

[noah]

i've just taken delivery of one of these lovely little boxes of backup joy. it's got the hdd pre-installed so is formatted and working fine. i've just been trying to get to grips with it before i go away. i can copy cards, verify them and look at them on my pc fine but i am stumped if i can re-format the thing. i know i don't need to but it would be nice to know how to. the instructions are frankly rubbish and google didnt turn up anything either.

any pointers from other owners ?

thanks :)

[IanC_UK]

Which compact drive is it Noah ? Make model etc ?

[noah]

oops, pd70x :D

thanks

[IanC_UK]

OK !

Can get the instruction manual here (as well as firmware) http://www.compactdrive.com/gv_downloads.php?model=pd70x

LOL

Make sure unit is plugged into mains or has a full charge !

you need a FAT16 formatted CF card, note MUST BE FAT16 ! (Sorry forgot this bit must be between 256mb and 2gb, although it worked froma 64mb card i tried it on too)

create a file on it called FORMAT70.CMD (all upper case)

Put the card into the card reader, while pressing the wheel in turn on the drive, continue holding it down until the formatting indicator appears (bottom right of screen)

Release the wheel.

error18 will appear on the display

Scroll down once with the wheel , When the max capacity is displayed,

scroll up once, the format icon should appear (bottom right corner) press in the wheel and it should start formatting !

Hope that makes sense ! lol

[IanC_UK]

Hmmm just tried this on mine and it didnt work ! lol I better check these out ! :)

[IanC_UK]

Changed the text slightly as have just tested it and this way works ! :)

[KenCo]

Haven't got one but when it's plugged into pc, it must show up as external device?.....right click on device and format?......Maybe!

[IanC_UK]

Haven't got one but when it's plugged into pc, it must show up as external device?.....right click on device and format?......Maybe!

It will work, but i think it formats it incorreclty Ken ! good idea though ! :)

[noah]

thanks ian, will give it a go now.

i see what you mean ken but in the instructions it says it will perform faster if it formats itself :)

[leoedin]

also, Win XP and 2000 refuse to format anything above 32GB in fat32, and unless you have a 20gig model, then windows won't format it to its full capacity

Leo

[noah]

my 320 gig external hdd is fat 32 tho??