File System Question

[UGModeler]

I have a computer with one HD, running XP Pro. The drive is partitioned to
C: and D: For some reason, C: was formatted with FAT32 and D: with NTFS,
from the manufacturer. I have heard that NTFS is much more stable, so I
want to reformat C: with NTFS, but I don't want to loose the information and
programs I have installed on it. Can it be done? and if so, how?

 

[Ramesh [MS-MVP]]

Converting FAT32 to NTFS in Windows XP:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php

--
Regards,
Ramesh (MS-MVP)
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

~ Please reply to newsgroup ~


I have a computer with one HD, running XP Pro. The drive is partitioned to
C: and D: For some reason, C: was formatted with FAT32 and D: with NTFS,
from the manufacturer. I have heard that NTFS is much more stable, so I
want to reformat C: with NTFS, but I don't want to loose the information and
programs I have installed on it. Can it be done? and if so, how?

 

[UGModeler]

Thanks! Unfortunately, the instructions say I have to first defrag the
drive (which I still have not been able to do), so in my case, there is no
way to convert to NTFS :-(

 

[Ramesh [MS-MVP]]

What exactly happens when you run defragmenter? (dfrg.msc)

--
Regards,
Ramesh (MS-MVP)
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

~ Please reply to newsgroup ~


Thanks! Unfortunately, the instructions say I have to first defrag the
drive (which I still have not been able to do), so in my case, there is no
way to convert to NTFS :-(

 

[UGModeler]

Well, since you asked...

I have been trying to run Defrag on XP Pro for weeks without success. I
have tried everything posted in this NG. I run chkdsk /f, I then run chkdsk
/F /R, I run defrag from the command line, I have run it by right-clicking
on the drive and then Properties, Tools,... I run it from Compmgmt.msc, but
always the same behavior.

Whether I click on Analyze or Defragment, it goes up to 10% and then it
stops with the error message:

"(C The connection to the defragmenter engine has been lost. Restart
Defragmentation."

No matter how many times I restart defragmentation, I end up right back here
:-(


A user in this NG suggested:
" Start/run, and type: 'sfc /scannow'
You need your XP CD ready on hand. "

So, I did that, inserted the CD when requested to do so, and after the
process finished (I think it finished properly, the window just closed, no
messages...) I tried to defrag, and got the same problem as before.

Do you have any other ideas?

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Try and Advanced Clean Boot of XP. Run Defragmenter again

HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316434

Description of the New Command Line Defrag.exe Included with Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283080

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

~ Please reply to newsgroup ~


Well, since you asked...

I have been trying to run Defrag on XP Pro for weeks without success. I
have tried everything posted in this NG. I run chkdsk /f, I then run chkdsk
/F /R, I run defrag from the command line, I have run it by right-clicking
on the drive and then Properties, Tools,... I run it from Compmgmt.msc, but
always the same behavior.

Whether I click on Analyze or Defragment, it goes up to 10% and then it
stops with the error message:

"(C The connection to the defragmenter engine has been lost. Restart
Defragmentation."

No matter how many times I restart defragmentation, I end up right back here
:-(


A user in this NG suggested:
" Start/run, and type: 'sfc /scannow'
You need your XP CD ready on hand. "

So, I did that, inserted the CD when requested to do so, and after the
process finished (I think it finished properly, the window just closed, no
messages...) I tried to defrag, and got the same problem as before.

Do you have any other ideas?

 

[UGModeler]

Thanks!

(1) I downloaded and read all the related Microsoft Knowledge base articles.

(2) Backed up the System State Data (which includes the registry) just in
case.

(3) Rebooted in Safe Mode (no Networking) to get as close to the "bare
minimum" as posssible.

(4) Run Defrag, and selected Analyze.

(5) The disk churned for a while, and at 31% it stoped scanning reporting an
error with a .TXT file in the c:\temp folder.

(6) I shut down Defrag, deleted the file in question, and restarted Defrag.
At about 31%, sane type of error with a different file in the *same* folder.

(7) I shut down Defrag, deleted the whole "c:\temp" folder

(8) Restarted Defrag and now it failed scanning at 31% with an error with a
different file, in the c:\_ISTMP3.DIR folder.

(9) I shut down Defrag, run chkdsk /f and found NO problems.

(10) I restarted Defrag, started Analyze, and it failed again at 31% with an
error with a file in the c:\_ISTMP1.DIR folder.

Am *I* the only one with all these problems trying to defrag my drive?
Unbelievable. For what it's worth, drive logical drive d: (NTFS) defrags
just fine.

Once again, thanks for all your effort.

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

This seems to be a disk error. MVP Alex Nichol should be able to help you
out in this regard.

All the best.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

~ Please reply to newsgroup ~


Thanks!

(1) I downloaded and read all the related Microsoft Knowledge base articles.

(2) Backed up the System State Data (which includes the registry) just in
case.

(3) Rebooted in Safe Mode (no Networking) to get as close to the "bare
minimum" as posssible.

(4) Run Defrag, and selected Analyze.

(5) The disk churned for a while, and at 31% it stoped scanning reporting an
error with a .TXT file in the c:\temp folder.

(6) I shut down Defrag, deleted the file in question, and restarted Defrag.
At about 31%, sane type of error with a different file in the *same* folder.

(7) I shut down Defrag, deleted the whole "c:\temp" folder

(8) Restarted Defrag and now it failed scanning at 31% with an error with a
different file, in the c:\_ISTMP3.DIR folder.

(9) I shut down Defrag, run chkdsk /f and found NO problems.

(10) I restarted Defrag, started Analyze, and it failed again at 31% with an
error with a file in the c:\_ISTMP1.DIR folder.

Am *I* the only one with all these problems trying to defrag my drive?
Unbelievable. For what it's worth, drive logical drive d: (NTFS) defrags
just fine.

Once again, thanks for all your effort.

 

[UGModeler]

Thanks. How do I get in touch with him?



BTW, I still can't believe I'm the only one with these problems

 

[Greg Hayes/Raxco Software]

When you ran CHKDSK /F, did it say that it found/fixed any errors? Did it
perform a 3-step or 5-step verification of the file system?

- Greg/Raxco Software
Microsoft MVP - Windows File System

Disclaimer: I work for Raxco Software, the maker of PerfectDisk - a
commercial defrag utility, as a systems engineer in the support department.

Want to email me? Delete ntloader.

 

[UGModeler]

No, there was no indication that any problem was found/fixed. How can I
tell if it was a 3-step or a 5-step? Can I specify which one I want? How
do I do that?