Formatting Overview

What is formatting?

Formatting is the process in which a storage device is partitioned for use with the file system of choice. The focus of this article will revolve around formatting a device to FATX specifications.

If the storage device is formatted with a file system that differs from the user’s desired file system, the old file system is usually destroyed when the new file system is added.

If the storage device is reformatted (old file system = desired file system), all data will be wiped beyond any feasible recovery.

Device Specific Information

For HDDs

There is a big mess of confusion revolved around FATXplorer’s formatting tool and using it to create custom hard-drives. First off, you cannot just take any old hard-drive, format it, stick it into a retail console, and expect it to work. Click here to find out why. The main use of FATXplorer’s formatting tool is to reformat existing retail hard-drives or format new SMC hacked (JTAG) console hard-drives.

For MUs

You can’t really create new memory-units, so there is no need for any specific information needed here.

Information Tidbit: Microsoft disabled support for Datel’s larger memory units in the 9199 Xbox 360 system software update. So even if you managed to create a larger one, it probably will suffer the same fate if it is not an official size (64 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB).

For USBs

USBs formatted from 16 KB to 16 GB can be used on a normal retail system. USBs formatted 16.1 GB+ will only work on patched (FATXplorer includes a patch installation tool) development or JTAG/RGH consoles. FATXplorer can format any USB within the 16 KB and 2 TB range.