reformat cybook gen3 to fat32 from fat16 on a mac

pinkpixie26 · 12-09-2009, 03:19 PM

So, I've had various problems with my Cybook Gen3 since I got it (freezing, lost bookmarks, general system corruption), and finally got ahold of bookeen, who had me reformat the device using disk utility on my mac. After reformatting, I noticed that instead of being formatted as FAT32, it's now formatted as FAT16. Is this going to be a major problem? If so, how do I reformat the device to a FAT32, when disk utility seems to want to format it as FAT16?

I have noticed that the cybook still freezes, and occasionally will delete all the bookmarks I've placed after I reset the device. Thus, bookeen's suggestion that I reformat the device doesn't seem to have helped with the main issues I've been having. Could this be related to the FAT16 format? It was FAT32 before, so I'm not sure, since the problems seem to be pretty much the same.

Thanks in advance for any help-- I don't really know much about computer systems and formats, so please respond in the simplest terms possible!

fizzywiz · 12-21-2009, 01:09 AM

I don't know if anyone has helped you but:

The best format for maximum compatibility is FAT 32, easily read by Macs and the default for Windows-based PCs. To format your external hard drive to FAT 32 from your Mac:

1. Plug in your external drive. Keep in mind that by formatting your drive you will lose all your information.
2. Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities), select your external drive, and click the "Erase" tab.
3. Under "Volume Format" choose MS-DOS (FAT), which is FAT 32, and click Erase.
4. Press Erase again to confirm and let it do its thing.

Again, please be sure that you do not need any of the data on your external drive (or that it is securely backed up), since the reformatting process will completely erase the drive.
from:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10345508-263.html

I don't have OS X but this sounds right. I would note that at this point only the "New" models of the Opus, and old models of the Cybook gen 3 (pre 1.2~) don't have a bug that crashes it on page turn. The next firmware update for the Gen 3/Opus should fix this but they have been working on "fixing" the bugs for the last 7 months since they released it at a Paris showing.
I am not sure about the bookmark problem but I would not send it in and expect it to never crash again (I sent mine in [for a hefty 60$ shipping fee] and they sent me another back that still had fresh ink on the reset button -.- and still crashed on me). Good luck and hope that this helps.

Godzil · 12-22-2009, 05:31 AM

FAT16 or FAT32 doesn't matter on disk that are less than 2 or 4 GB.

Anyway the utility will choose one that will work on the disk.

So FAT16 or FAT32 will not change things, it will work correctly with both

pinkpixie26 · 12-25-2009, 02:37 AM

Thanks both of you. I'm glad to hear that because of the size of the drive, Fat 16 formatting won't change its functionality, since my computer seems determined to format it as such!

FlorenceArt · 12-26-2009, 11:40 AM

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I'd like to know if you can format the Cybook, and then simply load back the previously saved content? Will that work or do you need to do something else to re-install the operating system?

Krystian Galaj · 12-26-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I'd like to know if you can format the Cybook, and then simply load back the previously saved content? Will that work or do you need to do something else to re-install the operating system?

I did that. Copied all books onto my hard disk, then reformatted the SD card from FAT to FAT32, then copied the books back. Updated firmware and it works fine.

FlorenceArt · 12-26-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krystian Galaj

I did that. Copied all books onto my hard disk, then reformatted the SD card from FAT to FAT32, then copied the books back. Updated firmware and it works fine.

Thanks. Do you mean you reformatted an external SD card, not the internal memory?

Krystian Galaj · 12-27-2009, 04:47 AM

Yes, I didn't touch the internal memory, and I didn't connect the Cybook to a computer at all, just the card through a card reader. I only keep dictionaries on the internal memory anyway.

FlorenceArt · 12-27-2009, 05:07 AM

What I want to know is if I can reformat the Cybook itself and just copy back the content.

Godzil · 12-27-2009, 12:33 PM

Be carefull, if you have a 200Mhz model, you NEED to save the system folder, whatever you do. If the folder is deleted your device will get the "checkboard of death" but reinstalling a firmware is a way to go against this error.

FlorenceArt · 12-27-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzil

Be carefull, if you have a 200Mhz model, you NEED to save the system folder, whatever you do. If the folder is deleted your device will get the "checkboard of death" but reinstalling a firmware is a way to go against this error.

Thank you Godzil. But is it enough if I just back up the system folder and then copy it back to the Cybook? Or do I need to do a complete re-install somehow?

Godzil · 12-27-2009, 04:07 PM

if you reformat, no, only your files and the system folder.

FlorenceArt · 12-27-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzil

if you reformat, no, only your files and the system folder.

OK, thanks. Maybe I'll try that then, who knows, it might help

12-09-2009, 03:19 PM	#1
pinkpixie26 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Cybook Gen 3	reformat cybook gen3 to fat32 from fat16 on a mac So, I've had various problems with my Cybook Gen3 since I got it (freezing, lost bookmarks, general system corruption), and finally got ahold of bookeen, who had me reformat the device using disk utility on my mac. After reformatting, I noticed that instead of being formatted as FAT32, it's now formatted as FAT16. Is this going to be a major problem? If so, how do I reformat the device to a FAT32, when disk utility seems to want to format it as FAT16? I have noticed that the cybook still freezes, and occasionally will delete all the bookmarks I've placed after I reset the device. Thus, bookeen's suggestion that I reformat the device doesn't seem to have helped with the main issues I've been having. Could this be related to the FAT16 format? It was FAT32 before, so I'm not sure, since the problems seem to be pretty much the same. Thanks in advance for any help-- I don't really know much about computer systems and formats, so please respond in the simplest terms possible!

12-25-2009, 02:37 AM	#4
pinkpixie26 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Cybook Gen 3	Thanks Thanks both of you. I'm glad to hear that because of the size of the drive, Fat 16 formatting won't change its functionality, since my computer seems determined to format it as such!

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12-21-2009, 01:09 AM	#2
fizzywiz Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Cybook Gen3 ver1.2 Build 834	I don't know if anyone has helped you but: The best format for maximum compatibility is FAT 32, easily read by Macs and the default for Windows-based PCs. To format your external hard drive to FAT 32 from your Mac: 1. Plug in your external drive. Keep in mind that by formatting your drive you will lose all your information. 2. Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities), select your external drive, and click the "Erase" tab. 3. Under "Volume Format" choose MS-DOS (FAT), which is FAT 32, and click Erase. 4. Press Erase again to confirm and let it do its thing. Again, please be sure that you do not need any of the data on your external drive (or that it is securely backed up), since the reformatting process will completely erase the drive. from: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10345508-263.html I don't have OS X but this sounds right. I would note that at this point only the "New" models of the Opus, and old models of the Cybook gen 3 (pre 1.2~) don't have a bug that crashes it on page turn. The next firmware update for the Gen 3/Opus should fix this but they have been working on "fixing" the bugs for the last 7 months since they released it at a Paris showing. I am not sure about the bookmark problem but I would not send it in and expect it to never crash again (I sent mine in [for a hefty 60$ shipping fee] and they sent me another back that still had fresh ink on the reset button -.- and still crashed on me). Good luck and hope that this helps.

12-22-2009, 05:31 AM	#3
Godzil a pthread?? where? where? Posts: 1,763 Karma: 30462 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Somewhere in EU Device: Newton MessagePad 2100, and only this	FAT16 or FAT32 doesn't matter on disk that are less than 2 or 4 GB. Anyway the utility will choose one that will work on the disk. So FAT16 or FAT32 will not change things, it will work correctly with both

12-26-2009, 11:40 AM	#5
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	Sorry to hijack this thread, but I'd like to know if you can format the Cybook, and then simply load back the previously saved content? Will that work or do you need to do something else to re-install the operating system?

12-27-2009, 04:47 AM	#8
Krystian Galaj Guru Posts: 820 Karma: 11012 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Warsaw, Poland Device: Bookeen Cybook	Yes, I didn't touch the internal memory, and I didn't connect the Cybook to a computer at all, just the card through a card reader. I only keep dictionaries on the internal memory anyway.

12-27-2009, 05:07 AM	#9
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	What I want to know is if I can reformat the Cybook itself and just copy back the content.

12-27-2009, 12:33 PM	#10
Godzil a pthread?? where? where? Posts: 1,763 Karma: 30462 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Somewhere in EU Device: Newton MessagePad 2100, and only this	Be carefull, if you have a 200Mhz model, you NEED to save the system folder, whatever you do. If the folder is deleted your device will get the "checkboard of death" but reinstalling a firmware is a way to go against this error.

12-27-2009, 04:07 PM	#12
Godzil a pthread?? where? where? Posts: 1,763 Karma: 30462 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Somewhere in EU Device: Newton MessagePad 2100, and only this	if you reformat, no, only your files and the system folder.

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