can I read FAT32 files to NFTS system?

[kerry]

I am reinstalling XP on my drives. I currently have all my
files/CD'S/backup data on the FAT32 file system.
will i be able to read and use all the old FAT32 files
and put them on the NFTS system? Will they need to change
format or anything?
is this a dumb question?
thanks

 

[David Candy]

It's a dumb question. Your files aren't in any disk format. Files are just files.

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I am reinstalling XP on my drives. I currently have all my
files/CD'S/backup data on the FAT32 file system.
will i be able to read and use all the old FAT32 files
and put them on the NFTS system? Will they need to change
format or anything?
is this a dumb question?
thanks

It's not a dumb question, but comes from confusion. Windows XP supports
both FAT32 and NTFS. So it will be able to read the files from the
FAT32 drive and copy them to an NTFS drive with no problems.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP MCE
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[Tom]

I am reinstalling XP on my drives. I currently have all my
files/CD'S/backup data on the FAT32 file system.
will i be able to read and use all the old FAT32 files
and put them on the NFTS system? Will they need to change
format or anything?
is this a dumb question?
thanks

Not a dumb question at all!

The file systems (FAT32, and NTFS) have nothing to do with the actual files (data) you mention. The systems are simply a means of storage and both can read *all* data, so the data will not change. Think of your data like a written letter. You can place the letter in a file cabinet (FAT32), or, you can place it in your personal secretary's drawer (NTFS). The fact that you may place it in one place or the other, does not change the content of that letter.

If all the mentioned data is backed up, you then can change the file system to NTFS, and then copy the data to the newly formatted drive. If you are going to convert you existing system (i.e. where Windows is installed), then I suggest reading here before doing so, to make any preparations:

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm

 

[S.Sengupta]

you can read and put them on NTFS without any problem.

regards,
ssg MS-MVP
pronetworks.org

 

[Jim Byrd]

Hi Tom - Well, not entirely *all* data , although it's really just a
quibble that shouldn't affect the OP based on the oringinal post. You'll
lose any stream stored meta-data going from NTFS to FAT32.

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[Tom]

Hi Tom - Well, not entirely *all* data , although it's really just a
quibble that shouldn't affect the OP based on the oringinal post. You'll
lose any stream stored meta-data going from NTFS to FAT32.

But the OP is going from FAT to NTFS, so that isn't a consideration. The OP was/is under the impression that files are what they are because of what the filing system is, and asked if the files could be "still" read inder NTFS, though they were under FAT.

 

[Jim Byrd]

Agreed, Tom. I said it was just a quibble that didn't apply to the OP - I
just didn't wan't to leave anyone with the impression that it was symmetric.

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am reinstalling XP on my drives. I currently have all my
files/CD'S/backup data on the FAT32 file system.
will i be able to read and use all the old FAT32 files
and put them on the NFTS system? Will they need to change
format or anything?
is this a dumb question?
thanks

WinXP can read FAT12 (the file system used on 3.5" diskettes),
FAT16, FAT32, CDFS (the file system used on most CDs), and NTFS with
equal facility. Further, the file system on any one disk/partition or
diskette has absolutely no affect upon the operating system's ability
to read other compatible file systems on other disks/partitions.

--

Bruce Chambers

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