Limit on Filesize in Windows XP?

[KeithO]

I'm trying to copy some files to my new Archos 504. I started a thread in the PMP forum (Wierd problem with Archos 504) but I'm starting now to think it's a Windows problem.

Basically Windows says I have 120GB space on the HDD, but when I try to copy a large .vob file over it tells me there is no space on the disk. After a bit of playing around though, I find that the same thing happens on a portable 40GB USB HDD I have...file won't copy and Windows tells me the destination drive is full. The file is around 5GB

If I try and copy smaller files, there is no problem. A 3.5 GB .vob file copies, as do a whole bunch of MP3 files that collectively add up to around 12 GB.

It seems the problem is with single files of size greater than around 4GB.

I've never come across this before. Is there some limitation in Windows XP?
I'm running XP Pro SP2 on a Dell 9200, dual core 6700 @ 2.66 GHz with 2 GB RAM.

Thanks for any light anyone can shed on this, as it's driving me crazy

[KeithO]

Just answered my own question

From the Microsoft Knowledgebase

Support for large file sizes. Under Windows XP and Windows 2000, NTFS supports a maximum file size of up to the disk size, while FAT32 supports a maximum file size of only 4 GB. Windows XP delivers new features (such as support for acquiring and editing video files) that frequently result in creation of files that exceed 4 GB in size.

Bugger...I guess I'd better use a lower resolution!

[Praxidike]

I guess your drive is formatted with FAT32 then? Try formatting it to NTFS.

[KeithO]

Originally Posted by Praxidike

I guess your drive is formatted with FAT32 then? Try formatting it to NTFS.

I can do that on the portable USB drive, but I'm not sure I want to risk it on the Archos. I'll just have to try creating smaller files, or find some way to chop the bigger file into pieces.

Thanks!

[concrete monkey]

you need to install windows on a ntfs rather than a fat32 formatted hard drive otherwise you have the 4gb limit! .....unless the archos is formatted in fat32

....i have a 604 by the way! there great machines!
if thats the case you will just have to transfer the vobs one at a time which isnt hard to do if your just drag and dropping!

[KeithO]

Originally Posted by concrete monkey

you need to install windows on a ntfs rather than a fat32 formatted hard drive otherwise you have the 4gb limit! .....unless the archos is formatted in fat32

....i have a 604 by the way! there great machines!
if thats the case you will just have to transfer the vobs one at a time which isnt hard to do if your just drag and dropping!

The PC is NTFS, it's the target drives (ie the USB drive and the Archos) that are FAT32.

It's not a case of transeferring them one at a time, it's a case of file size. Normally the vobs are a max of 1 GB (on the DVD and also if you use typical ripping software). Using DVDClone with the passthru option you can actually create a single vob file for the whole movie. These play fine on the Archos, and the quality is amazing even when outputting to a large screen TV. However for some movies this file can be over 4GB, which I suspect would also play on the Archos if only I could transfer them over!

I can of course go the normal route of multiple vobs per film (I'm after quality rather than quantity, hence vobs and not avi) but then they don't show up in the Videos section of the Archos, and you have to select each vob individually to play them.

How do you like the 604? I think the 504 is a brilliant piece of kit

[concrete monkey]

yeh the 604 is brilliant i only wish i got the 160gb version of the 504....but i couldnt afford that cos id already ordered an 80gb video ipod which i now regret keeping ,getting stuff on the ipods a nightmare while with the archos u can just drag and drop all your files on with ease!

so you have bought the .vob plugin then!

your answer will prob be on this forum heres the link if you havent already found this site!

http://forum.archosfans.com/index.ph...95f61e9027aa6a

[KeithO]

Originally Posted by concrete monkey

yeh the 604 is brilliant i only wish i got the 160gb version of the 504....but i couldnt afford that cos id already ordered an 80gb video ipod which i now regret keeping ,getting stuff on the ipods a nightmare while with the archos u can just drag and drop all your files on with ease!

so you have bought the .vob plugin then!

your answer will prob be on this forum heres the link if you havent already found this site!

http://forum.archosfans.com/index.ph...95f61e9027aa6a

Yeah I broke open my piggy bank and bought the 160 GB version and the plugin.

Getting stuff on the Archos is easy. I tend to drag/drop video files but I let WMP 11 sync with the 504 in WMD mode for music.

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out

[MikeC]

Originally Posted by Praxidike

I guess your drive is formatted with FAT32 then? Try formatting it to NTFS.

IIRC there is (or certainly was) an option within XP to convert from FAT32 to NTFS without doing a re-install. Would save alot of hassle

HTH

[ufitsy]

Do not convert the file system on your Archos.

The command to convert fat to ntfs is

Convert C: /fs:ntfs

[KeithO]

Thanks guys, but I think there's a bit of confusion here. My PC is not running on a FAT32 disk, it is NTFS, so I don't need to convert to NTFS or do a reinstall of Windows or whatever.

It is my Archos 504 that has an internal HDD that is formatted as FAT32, and my problem was in copying files greater than 4GB to this HDD. It's clear to me now (should have realised before, DOH!) that it's the FAT32 4GB limitation that is causing the problem.

I don't want to try reformatting the HDD in my Archos from FAT32 to NTFS, because I've just paid 550 Euros for it and I don't want to end up with a very expensive paperweight

Thanks for all the help though...I know what the problem is now and I think I've found a good program (DVD Decrypter) that will let me do what I need.

Thanks to Concrete Monkey for the link to ArchosFans forum...useful