Unable to copy large files to an external USB drive.

[sonnyguy58]

Hi.
I am encountering a peculiar problem while trying to copy files from my computer to an external USB drive(1TB external hard drive as well as a 16GB pen drive). When copying large files of more than 1GB in size, the copying process starts and then after it reaches to about 35% it hangs and gives an error that there is no free space, even though the drive is completely empty. I have to stop the process using the task manager. I am able to copy smaller files of less than 1GB without any problems. Both my drives have been formatted using NTFS mode. My operating system is Windows 7 SP1-32Bit.
Please help...

[zep516]

Try the file transfer in safe mode, it's a real shot in the dark here, but lets see if there's any difference there.

Joe

[abseh1]

Try to disable the usb legacy support in the bios...if the option exits...you can always turn it back on

[zep516]

Sounds good to me too abesh1,

I could not find much on that error. Everything led to FAT 32 and Windows 64 Bit issue. I saw 1 Thread that indicated an Anti Virus might cause it, that's why I recommend safe mode, but then I don't think a free space error would result...... If the drives were reformatted to NTFS, I wonder if it's possible that windows still sees them for some odd reason as FAT32 still?????

Joe

[abseh1]

Joe (zep516)

You seem to be on the right track...although he has ntfs
There are formats for ext, ext3 and udf options too...they transfer larger files

It is common for external USB storage devices to be formatted with the FAT32 file system, which has a 4GB file-size limit. All of the file systems that Microsoft supports, including information on maximum file sizes, are discussed in TechNet article 938937. The solution is to convert the device so that it uses the NTFS file system, which can handle huge file sizes up to 2TB (2048GB). The Windows utility convert.exe can usually convert FAT32 drives to NTFS without the user having to remove any data. However, it is advisable to make a full restorable backup of the drive before you take any major action of this kind. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 307881 deals with how to use convert.exe in Windows XP. A Microsoft article called Convert a hard disk or partition to NTFS format deals with the same process for Windows Vista, the information of which also applies to Windows 7.

[abseh1]

Maybe try an different USB cable and a different USP port plug too?

[abseh1]

I almost forgot there is a default size for files too

1. Right Click on USB

2. Click on “Format…” option

3. Choose “NTFS” in the File System Menu.

4. Change “Allocation Unit Size” to “Default allocation size”.

5. check on “Quick Format” and Press Start.

[sonnyguy58]

Tried the option you suggested, still unable to copy....

[sonnyguy58]

Sorry! there is no usb legacy support option in my BIOS.

[zep516]

Did you try the Safe Mode Option?