Dual Drives FAT32 & NTFS

G

Gordon

Currently I have one 100 GB HD, which is the boot drive with XP home
installed, & one 60 GB HD - both FAT32. I would like to convert or reformat
the 60 GB for NTFS allowing for larger file sizes for video files so that I
am not restricted to the 4GB rule for FAT32 drives.

I think all I have to do is open My Computer and right click on the 60GB
hard drive and select "format" and follow directions. I, of course will
remove or back up all files on that drive prior to any action. Is this the
correct way to convert the drive from FAT 32 to NTFS?

Are there any significant problem areas I might run in to? Would there be
any problems with editing a file on the NTFS drive with a program on the
FAT32 drive? I believe that I can transfer files from one drive to the
other without any problems. I am also networked with a WinME computer.
Will that computer be able to read files on the NTFS drive of the XP
computer?


TIA for any guidance or help.

Gordon
 
D

David Hollway [MVP]

Gordon said:
Currently I have one 100 GB HD, which is the boot drive with XP home
installed, & one 60 GB HD - both FAT32. I would like to convert or reformat
the 60 GB for NTFS allowing for larger file sizes for video files so that I
am not restricted to the 4GB rule for FAT32 drives.

I think all I have to do is open My Computer and right click on the 60GB
hard drive and select "format" and follow directions. I, of course will
remove or back up all files on that drive prior to any action. Is this the
correct way to convert the drive from FAT 32 to NTFS?

Gordon,

Whilst it's always a good idea to back up your files before an operation
like this anyway, there IS an easier way than you propose.
If the 60GB drive is drive "D:", simply open up a command prompt (Start ->
Run -> CMD.EXE) and type:

convert D: /FS:NTFS <return>

This will convert the drive from FAT32 to NTFS without reformatting or
losing the data on it.

A couple of notes:
1) If there are files in use on the drive, you'll be asked if you want to
force a dismount. Generally speaking this isn't a good idea; answer "n" to
the question and you should then be asked whether to convert the drive on
the next reboot.
2) It helps if there's at least 10-15% free space on the drive before
performing the conversion.
Are there any significant problem areas I might run in to? Would there be
any problems with editing a file on the NTFS drive with a program on the
FAT32 drive? I believe that I can transfer files from one drive to the

No problems. As far as applications are concerned, the filesystem is
immaterial. A program just says to Windows "open this file" or "write this
file" and Windows takes care of all the low-level stuff like dealing with
the filesystem.
other without any problems. I am also networked with a WinME computer.
Will that computer be able to read files on the NTFS drive of the XP
computer?

Yes, because, again, remote machines don't care about the filesystem on the
target drive. NTFS drives can be shared just like FAT32 drives.

Hope this helps.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top