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View Full Version : Splitting large files into external FAT32 HD



Tito
11-10-2004, 09:48 PM
Hello people:
I am new to Linux. I posted the message "Saving a large container from a crashed WinXP to external HD". My problem was that the external HD connected thru the USB port was NTFS and i could not make Captive NTFS accept the container. I changed the filesystem in the external HD using QTParted to FAT32. Then i susccessfully copied one 250 mb container simply using the right-click copy and paste. However, when i try the same strategy with the large 4 GB container the process starts fine but then at about 2 GB the writing onto the external HD is stopped and i receive a message like "Process died unexpectedly" (it happened twice) I thought i could split and rejoin the 4 GB container using the split and cat commands but i do not have enough disk space in the local partition (hda1). I do have space in the external HD (sda1 partition) so my question is if there is any simple modification of the split command

split -b 1000m filename filename

to put the split pieces into sda1 rather than hda1. I also want to join the pieces in the sda1 partition before connecting the external HD to another computer that will receive the container.

cat filenamead >> filenameaa

So how do i identify the sda1 partition in the cat command?
Thanks for your help.
Tito

firebyrd10
11-11-2004, 01:59 AM
Hello people:
I am new to Linux. I posted the message "Saving a large container from a crashed WinXP to external HD". My problem was that the external HD connected thru the USB port was NTFS and i could not make Captive NTFS accept the container. I changed the filesystem in the external HD using QTParted to FAT32. Then i susccessfully copied one 250 mb container simply using the right-click copy and paste. However, when i try the same strategy with the large 4 GB container the process starts fine but then at about 2 GB the writing onto the external HD is stopped and i receive a message like "Process died unexpectedly" (it happened twice) I thought i could split and rejoin the 4 GB container using the split and cat commands but i do not have enough disk space in the local partition (hda1). I do have space in the external HD (sda1 partition) so my question is if there is any simple modification of the split command

split -b 1000m filename filename

to put the split pieces into sda1 rather than hda1. I also want to join the pieces in the sda1 partition before connecting the external HD to another computer that will receive the container.

cat filenamead >> filenameaa

So how do i identify the sda1 partition in the cat command?
Thanks for your help.
Tito

With split, split -b 1000m filename /mnt/sda1/filename

basicly the same for cat.

Tito
11-11-2004, 12:27 PM
Hello people:
[snip] I do have space in the external HD (sda1 partition) so my question is if there is any simple modification of the split command

split -b 1000m filename filename

to put the split pieces into sda1 rather than hda1. I also want to join the pieces in the sda1 partition before connecting the external HD to another computer that will receive the container.

cat filenamead >> filenameaa

So how do i identify the sda1 partition in the cat command?
Thanks for your help.
Tito

With split, split -b 1000m filename /mnt/sda1/filename

basicly the same for cat.

Thanks. In the external HD i have a little less than 8 GB so to rejoin
the parts into the whole container, which is 4GB, i need to delete the parts as they are being assembled. How do i modify the cat command to do just that?
Tito
joined

rcook
11-11-2004, 05:16 PM
I am not absolutely certain, but my recollection is there is a 2GB max on fat32 file sizes. You won't be able to cat the pieces together except on a ext2 or a NTFS drive. I went a few rounds with this issue a year or two ago and ended up with the large file on an ext2 file and a driver to mount the ext2 file in Win2K. I was trying to get a large drive image burned to a DVD.

Tito
11-11-2004, 05:38 PM
I am not absolutely certain, but my recollection is there is a 2GB max on fat32 file sizes. You won't be able to cat the pieces together except on a ext2 or a NTFS drive. I went a few rounds with this issue a year or two ago and ended up with the large file on an ext2 file and a driver to mount the ext2 file in Win2K. I was trying to get a large drive image burned to a DVD.

You seem to be correct sir. I made a little research and also read messages in LinuxQuestions.org and apparently there is a 2GB limit in FAT32 (though there seems to be a patch).
Apart from the road you took, maybe i can copy the parts into WinXP and then re-assemble them using some MS-DOS command?
Tito

Tito
11-11-2004, 07:35 PM
[snip]

So how do i identify the sda1 partition in the cat command?
Thanks for your help.
Tito[/quote]

With split, split -b 1000m filename /mnt/sda1/filename

basicly the same for cat.[/quote]

In the Root Shell i wrote:

split -b 1000m mnt/hda1/filename.xxx /mnt/sda1/filename

and the system responded

split: mnt/hda1/filename.xxx: No such file or directory

However, i know it is there, i can see it with Konqueror. What could
be wrong with my command?
Cheers
Tito

rcook
11-11-2004, 09:53 PM
use the command line copy command. I think

c:\> copy /b part1+ /b part2 joinedFile

Check with the help to see proper/correct syntax.

copy /?

Tito
11-11-2004, 10:34 PM
use the command line copy command. I think

c:\> copy /b part1+ /b part2 joinedFile

Check with the help to see proper/correct syntax.

copy /?

Thanks. In fact the split command did work so please disregard my previous post. I moved the parts from the external FAT32 HD into a working WinXP machine and joined them with
copy \b partaa+partab+...+partae joined.xxx
Now i have to open the container to see that everything is fine inside.
It looks like i have completed my rescue mission.
Thanks to Koppix and to you guys!

Next mission: To reinstall WinXP in the Compaq machine and also Knoppix-Debian to have a dual boot system!

Tito

firebyrd10
11-12-2004, 02:51 AM
There is a 2gb limit on Fat32 with knoppix, though my winxp can go up to 4gb.

rcook
11-12-2004, 04:40 PM
Don't keep us in suspense. Did it work?

Tito
11-12-2004, 05:31 PM
Don't keep us in suspense. Did it work?

The 4GB container was an encrypted container made with Bestcrypt 7.07.
It was about 3/4 full. In the working WinXP machine i rejoined the parts
and then the container was successfully mounted with Bestcrypt and the information inside was complete and intact.
Now i have re-installed WinXP in the Compaq Presario and am moving the files back. On sunday i will attempt the installation of Knoppix (=Debian) on the HD of the recovered machine. Then i may get back to you guys.
Thank you.
Tito

rcook
11-12-2004, 09:50 PM
Great ! ! ! :D