Convert to NTFS?

[Walter R.]

The hard drives in my seven year old computer are formatted in Fat 32.

Can I use Win XP pro SP2 to convert all my partitions and drives to NTFS. Is
it worth the trouble? How would I go about it? Can I convert the drive that
holds the OS (C: drive)?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

The hard drives in my seven year old computer are formatted in Fat 32.

Can I use Win XP pro SP2 to convert all my partitions and drives to NTFS.

Yes.


Is
it worth the trouble?

Only you can answer that.

How would I go about it?

To convert to NTFS, you use the CONVERT command. But 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.

Can I convert the drive that
holds the OS (C: drive)?

Yes.

 

[Malke]

The hard drives in my seven year old computer are formatted in Fat 32.

Can I use Win XP pro SP2 to convert all my partitions and drives to NTFS.
Is it worth the trouble? How would I go about it? Can I convert the drive
that holds the OS (C: drive)?

Yes, you can convert all the drives from FAT32 to NTFS. Read the following
article first:

http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm - Converting FAT32 to NTFS by Alex
Nichol

Make sure you have all your data backed up first because Stuff Happens.
Actually, you should be doing this anyway - particularly with such an
elderly machine.

As for whether it's worth it or not, only you can answer the question. What
is your reason for wanting to convert? After all, you've gone along with
FAT32 for 7 years; what has changed that you need NTFS now? NTFS is
certainly better but unless you have a pressing need I think I'd leave a
very old computer like yours alone.

Malke

 

[Anna]

Yes, you can convert all the drives from FAT32 to NTFS. Read the following
article first:

http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm - Converting FAT32 to NTFS by Alex
Nichol

Make sure you have all your data backed up first because Stuff Happens.
Actually, you should be doing this anyway - particularly with such an
elderly machine.

As for whether it's worth it or not, only you can answer the question.
What
is your reason for wanting to convert? After all, you've gone along with
FAT32 for 7 years; what has changed that you need NTFS now? NTFS is
certainly better but unless you have a pressing need I think I'd leave a
very old computer like yours alone.

Malke

Walter:
Malke's final sentence is the "controlling" one. There's really nothing to
be gained in any substantial way by converting your file system from FAT32
to NTFS given your seven year old PC. And there's a danger, slight as it is,
that unexpected problems will arise as a result of the conversion, even
should the conversion appear to be successful. We have seen too many cases
where that has happened. We're assuming that your PC is functioning without
any problems - (at least any problems that would be caused by the OS present
file system). Leave well enough alone.
Anna

 

[JS]

If it runs, doesn't burp, gurp or slurp then stay FAT and happy

JS

 

[Bill in Co.]

But why bother, if it's this old, and working fine as it is? Why take the
chance?

 

[Walter R.]

Thank you all for your input. I will follow your advice: If it ain't broke,
don't fix it.

 

[JS]

You're welcome.

JS

Thank you all for your input. I will follow your advice: If it ain't
broke, don't fix it.

 

[michael]

The hard drives in my seven year old computer are formatted in Fat 32.

Can I use Win XP pro SP2 to convert all my partitions and drives to NTFS. Is
it worth the trouble? How would I go about it? Can I convert the drive that
holds the OS (C: drive)?

convert /fs:ntfs C: