How to split very large files to copy to an external hard drive?
by grumpyskeptic from LinuxQuestions.org on (#4SSNS)
Using Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa Cinnamon.
I have some very large files I want to move to an external hard drive that has a USB plug, but I get an error when I try to copy files much over 4GB.
I realise now that I should have re-formatted it to NTFS format when it was new, but it is too late as it has too much stuff on it.
The files are for example:
myfile.zip about 9GB
myotherfile.iso about 4.6GB
I have found out about the "split" command, but this seems to be for files with lines in them, unlike mine. Also, I have not be able to get a clear idea of what actual prefixes and suffixes to use.
Please note that I want to be able to put the file back together again in ten or more years time, so I need commands that are likely to be around for a long time.
Questions please:
1. What actual commands should I use to split the files?
2. What actual commands should I use to re-assemble the file parts?
3. Is it possible to assemble the file parts into a whole file on the external hard-drive, even though they were moved there in parts?
4. Is it possible to safely re-format the external hard-drive without losing the files on it? I have seen something on the internet for Windows that says it can do this.
Thanks.


I have some very large files I want to move to an external hard drive that has a USB plug, but I get an error when I try to copy files much over 4GB.
I realise now that I should have re-formatted it to NTFS format when it was new, but it is too late as it has too much stuff on it.
The files are for example:
myfile.zip about 9GB
myotherfile.iso about 4.6GB
I have found out about the "split" command, but this seems to be for files with lines in them, unlike mine. Also, I have not be able to get a clear idea of what actual prefixes and suffixes to use.
Please note that I want to be able to put the file back together again in ten or more years time, so I need commands that are likely to be around for a long time.
Questions please:
1. What actual commands should I use to split the files?
2. What actual commands should I use to re-assemble the file parts?
3. Is it possible to assemble the file parts into a whole file on the external hard-drive, even though they were moved there in parts?
4. Is it possible to safely re-format the external hard-drive without losing the files on it? I have seen something on the internet for Windows that says it can do this.
Thanks.