Convert FAT 32 to NTFS w/o losing data

[la90292]

I have a 30GB hard drive that is partitioned into two drives C & D in Fat 32
format. My C drive is where I've installed XP and my program files. Drive
D is where I kept my data files. Each drive is 15GB.

How would I convert both drives to NTFS without losing my data? Also, is
there an optimum size to partition each drive or does it matter?

Thanks, Victor

 

[JCO]

One method is if you have Partition Magic. This program will do it very
quickly and almost guaranteed.

Since you are going from Fat32 to NTFS, Windows XP should have a utility
that does that for you. Even Windows 2000 comes with this utility... you
just can't go back to Fat32. Its a one way street unless you have Partition
Magic.

On Windows xp, bring up a command prompt and type this in:

convert "drive letter": /fs:ntfs
Example to convert the D drive to ntfs is like this:
convert D:/fs:ntfs

 

[JCO]

Also;

You can add the /v command that stands for Verbose. That means you will see
explanations, on the screen of what is happening. When you do this, you
will then have to restart the computer which is when the conversion takes
place.

Example to include Verbose is:
convert C: /fs:ntfs /v
this converts the C drive to NTFS and includes Verbose

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a 30GB hard drive that is partitioned into two drives C & D in Fat 32
format. My C drive is where I've installed XP and my program files. Drive
D is where I kept my data files. Each drive is 15GB.

How would I convert both drives to NTFS without losing my data? Also, is
there an optimum size to partition each drive or does it matter?

See www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfs.htm on general matters, and
www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm for advice on the conversion

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a 30GB hard drive that is partitioned into two drives C & D in Fat 32
format. My C drive is where I've installed XP and my program files. Drive
D is where I kept my data files. Each drive is 15GB.

How would I convert both drives to NTFS without losing my data? Also, is
there an optimum size to partition each drive or does it matter?

See www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm

Whether you should rebalance the sizes depends on the use you are
making, and how full each is. My inclination would be to be a bit
asymmetric - I think I would go for something like 10 to 12 and the
remainder, but it does depend on your use. If you want to do it, BING
(referred to in that link) will also do it - I would do the resize
first, then the align, as needed for conversion, and come back to XP to
convert.

This is all very safe - but there is always *some* risk of disaster, so
make sure that essential data files are backed up first

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You can safely convert your hard drive to NTFS whenever desired,
without having to format the partition and reinstall everything. As
always when performing any serious changes, back up any important data
before proceeding, just in case. A little advance preparation is also
strongly recommended, so you can avoid any performance hits caused by
the default cluster size:

Converting FAT32 to NTFS in Windows
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



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having both at once. -- RAH

 

[la90292]

I was at the point where I typed in CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS. I received the
following message:

Convert cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Convert
may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPEN HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME
WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Woudl you like to force a dsimount on this volume?

At this point I said no and cancelled the operation. Is this the message
that was to appear when entering the command? It wasn't clear on the
Converting Fat 32 to Ntfs instructions.

Thanks, victor

 

[la90292]

I went to this web site and followed the instructions. When I entered the
command, that's when I received the message. I want to make sure that that
is the correct message to say yes too before I proceed.

Thanks, Victor

 

[JCO]

The instructions I gave you will work. You can do it in a dos prompt or you
can select Start | Run and type it that way. The command is:
convert C: /fs:ntfs /v

Stands for...
Convert the C-Directory/FileStructure:NTFileSystem /Verbose (optional)

You will get a message stating that you system will have to reboot to
perform the operation. This is okay. When you proceed, it will be done in
a flash. It is very simple to do and reliable.

I understand your reluctance, but it is very safe to do so.
Good luck.... and when you are finish, let us know how you did.