How can I convert NTFS to FAT32 in XP pro? (already installed in N

[Guest]

I have xp pro running on two machines on a network. The active partition on the primary machine is formatted (NTFS). The active partition on the secondary machine is formatted (FAT32). In order to copy files from the primary to the secondary, I want to convert NTFS to FAT32, then convert back to NTFS afterward. My question is: can this be done; if so, how?

 

[Guest]

Use a current version of partition Magic by Symantec I believe the current version is 9

 

[Guest]

When you copy file from NTFS to FAT32 partion files are automatically converted into FAT32 file system and if you want to convert back to NTFS the file system should be converted first to NTFS then only you can do it

Raj

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I have xp pro running on two machines on a network. The active partition on the primary machine is formatted (NTFS). The active partition on the secondary machine is formatted (FAT32). In order to copy files from the primary to the secondary, I want to convert NTFS to FAT32, then convert back to NTFS afterward. My question is: can this be done; if so, how?

This isn't necessary. If you are copying the files across the network
then file system on either machine is irrelevant to the file copy. Each
install of XP will read/store the file from its own file system only and
will handle it correctly. The fact that one machine is currently FAT32
and the other NTFS is immaterial.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP MCE
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I have xp pro running on two machines on a network. The active
partition on the primary machine is formatted (NTFS). The active
partition on the secondary machine is formatted (FAT32). In order to
copy files from the primary to the secondary, I want to convert NTFS
to FAT32, then convert back to NTFS afterward. My question is: can
this be done; if so, how?

Absolutely unneccessary. The file system format has nothing to do with
copying files back/forth....it should work fine right now. What happens when
you try?

 

[francis gérard]

the question is WHY do you need to convert the NTFS file system on the
primary to FAT32 just to copy some files across the network from the
secondary FAT32 system? the underlying file systems on either machine do
not effect the content of the files themselves, with the exception of some
ntfs metadata, but not the actual file itself.

just simply copy the files from one machine to the other, it makes no sense
to convert an NTFS partition to FAT32 just to perform a copy operation, then
convert it back to NTFS again. there are tools to convert from NTFS to
FAT32, but the 'convert' command in WindowsXP only supports one-way FAT to
NTFS conversion.

 

[Jason]

-----Original Message-----
I have xp pro running on two machines on a network. The

active partition on the primary machine is formatted
(NTFS). The active partition on the secondary machine is
formatted (FAT32). In order to copy files from the
primary to the secondary, I want to convert NTFS to
FAT32, then convert back to NTFS afterward. My question
is: can this be done; if so, how?

.
Im sure that this can not be done without a new install.

Why not convert the FAT 32 to NTFS? The only advantage
that FAT 32 has over NTFS is multiple operating systems
on one machine. NTFS has better file security, sharing
abilities and compression.

 

[D.Currie]

What do you mean by "a copied exe"? If you're saying that you copied it from
one computer to another, and expected that the program would run, that's
where your problem is. With a few exceptions, programs need to be installed
for them to run correctly.

The fact that one computer is NTFS and the other is FAT32 has nothing to do
with it.

As you correctly stated, I haven't had any issues copying files back and

forth across the network. However, I did have a problem running one
particular program that I had installed with a copied exe. I have also had
some issues with a few games. I realise that the file format type may not be
the problem.(just reaching for solutions)

 

[francis gérard]

thanks for the tip Jason. I would like to try that, but I don't know how
to do that, either. Would you mind posting instructions? thanks

first, at the command-line, type/enter this:

help convert
or
convert /?

to familiarize yourself with the convert file system utility

then, at the command-line on the system with the FAT32 partition, enter
this:

convert c: /fs:ntfs /x

then go make a coffee, the above command will probably may some time to
convert the volume from FAT to NTFS, depending on the size of the partition,
speed of the disc

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have xp pro running on two machines on a network. The active
partition on the primary machine is formatted (NTFS). The active
partition on the secondary machine is formatted (FAT32). In order to
copy files from the primary to the secondary, I want to convert NTFS
to FAT32, then convert back to NTFS afterward. My question is: can
this be done; if so, how?

You can do it only with third-party software, such as
PartitionMagic.

But more important, it's entirely unnecessary. There is
absolutely no problem copying files from an NTFS drive to a
FAT32 one, or vice-versa. Just do it.

 

[Steve Nielsen]

In

order to




You can do it only with third-party software, such as
PartitionMagic.

But more important, it's entirely unnecessary. There is
absolutely no problem copying files from an NTFS drive to a
FAT32 one, or vice-versa. Just do it.

With one exception; FAT32 has a 4GB file size limit.

Steve

 

[francis gérard]

many thanks, francis. the instructions are of great help to me. Even the
coffee sounds good, although I think I will have a cup of green tea
instead...

indeed... and much healthier for you than coffee too

enjoy!

 

[Greg]

In


You can do it only with third-party software, such as
PartitionMagic.

But more important, it's entirely unnecessary. There is
absolutely no problem copying files from an NTFS drive to a
FAT32 one, or vice-versa. Just do it.

Just out of interest, if you were to convert from NTFS to FAT32. How
would it deal with a file >4GB (eg. a DVD ISO)?

 

[Ken Blake]

In

thanks

first, at the command-line, type/enter this:

help convert
or
convert /?

to familiarize yourself with the convert file system utility

then, at the command-line on the system with the FAT32 partition,
enter this:

convert c: /fs:ntfs /x

then go make a coffee, the above command will probably may some time
to convert the volume from FAT to NTFS, depending on the size of the
partition, speed of the disc

However before doing this, he should first read
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm because there's an issue
regarding cluster size that isn't obvious.

Also note that conversion is a big step, affecting everything on
your drive. When you take such a big step, no matter how
unlikely, it is always possible that something could go wrong.
For that reason, it's prudent to make sure you have a backup of
anything you can't afford to lose before beginning.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

With one exception; FAT32 has a 4GB file size limit.

Yes, true. Thanks for adding that caveat.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Just out of interest, if you were to convert from NTFS to FAT32. How
would it deal with a file >4GB (eg. a DVD ISO)?

Good question. I don't know. I'm far from a Partition Magic
expert.

 

[francis gérard]

However before doing this, he should first read
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm because there's an issue
regarding cluster size that isn't obvious.

Also note that conversion is a big step, affecting everything on
your drive. When you take such a big step, no matter how
unlikely, it is always possible that something could go wrong.
For that reason, it's prudent to make sure you have a backup of
anything you can't afford to lose before beginning.

yes, you're absolutely right, i completely forgot about that 512 byte
cluster thing... it took me by surprise at one time too, when i converted a
client's machine from FAT32 to NTFS. very good you brought that up... and
of course, it would be prudent for "websifter" to do a backup or copy of
important data.

 

[francis gérard]

In

imagine copying a 4GB file from one machine to another over 100BaseT...
ouch!

 

[Steve Nielsen]

imagine copying a 4GB file from one machine to another over 100BaseT...
ouch!

I've had to do it over 10BaseC - took ALL frikkind day, too!

Steve

 

[Steve Nielsen]

Just out of interest, if you were to convert from NTFS to FAT32. How
would it deal with a file >4GB (eg. a DVD ISO)?

It would choke on it and spit out an error saying the drive was full.

Steve