Will I be able to see F32 partitions from NTFS operating volume?

[Guest]

I recently changed from Win98 to XP-Pro. I did a clean install. At the time, I had not a clue one, what that screen was or what I should do..."Convert from Fat32?"..."Oh my!"...(with a few explatives)
So being ignorant of the advantages, I chose the option to leave it as was.
I've since done some extensive reading and now wish to RE-format and RE-install XP using NTFS.
**********
FACTS:
1 Harddrive partitioned in FAT32 - "C", "D", & "E" (right now)
QUESTIONS:
1. Can I change ONLY the "C" partition to NTFS during the installation process?
2. Will it leave "D" & "E" partitions in FAT32 format, so I could use "Convert" and not lose those files?
3. Will the system still recognize the "D" & "E" (FAT32) partitions, so I could shuttle files between "D" & "E"?

I'd like to be able to unload "D" totally to "E", so that "D" is blank before I "Convert", then do the same in reverse for "E".
If that's possible, it should reduce the chances of file degradation...Shouldn't it???

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I recently changed from Win98 to XP-Pro. I did a clean install. At
the time, I had not a clue one, what that screen was or what I should
do..."Convert from Fat32?"..."Oh my!"...(with a few explatives) So
being ignorant of the advantages, I chose the option to leave it as
was.
I've since done some extensive reading and now wish to RE-format and
RE-install XP using NTFS. **********
FACTS:
1 Harddrive partitioned in FAT32 - "C", "D", & "E" (right now)
QUESTIONS:
1. Can I change ONLY the "C" partition to NTFS during the
installation process?

Yes. Or you can use the convert command to convert C with
reformatting/reinstalling. Before using convert to convert either C or
another partition, see this article:
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm.

2. Will it leave "D" & "E" partitions in FAT32 format, so I could use
"Convert" and not lose those files?
Yes.

3. Will the system still recognize the "D" & "E" (FAT32) partitions,
so I could shuttle files between "D" & "E"?

Yes, XP supports both FAT32 and NTFS.

I'd like to be able to unload "D" totally to "E", so that "D" is
blank before I "Convert", then do the same in reverse for "E".
If that's possible, it should reduce the chances of file
degradation...Shouldn't it???

That's one way to backup, yes. Having a good backup before you start is a
good idea just in case things go wrong.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Smart Display
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

QUESTIONS:
1. Can I change ONLY the "C" partition to NTFS during the installation process?

Yes.

2. Will it leave "D" & "E" partitions in FAT32 format, so I could use

"Convert" and not lose those files?

Yes

3. Will the system still recognize the "D" & "E" (FAT32) partitions, so I

could shuttle files between "D" & "E"?

Yes

You may like this read on converting as well, written by MVP Alex Nichol:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Guest]

..

 

[Alex Nichol]

I recently changed from Win98 to XP-Pro. I did a clean install. At the time, I had not a clue one, what that screen was or what I should do..."Convert from Fat32?"..."Oh my!"...(with a few explatives)
So being ignorant of the advantages, I chose the option to leave it as was.
I've since done some extensive reading and now wish to RE-format and RE-install XP using NTFS.
**********
FACTS:
1 Harddrive partitioned in FAT32 - "C", "D", & "E" (right now)
QUESTIONS:
1. Can I change ONLY the "C" partition to NTFS during the installation process?
2. Will it leave "D" & "E" partitions in FAT32 format, so I could use "Convert" and not lose those files?
3. Will the system still recognize the "D" & "E" (FAT32) partitions, so I could shuttle files between "D" & "E"?

You could convert the drive without needing to reinstall. See general
discussion at www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfs.htm, how to convert at
www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm

You can have any mix of the two systems - the files are exactly the same
whichever way they are stored, and XP is happy to use either or both