Formatting External Drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ken Ellis
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Ken Ellis

I use Windows XP. I have just bought a Lacie 160gb USB 2.0 external hard
drive which is already set up as FAT32. I want NTFS. Since no data is
involved, is my best choice to use the Format command rather than the
'Convert H: FS:NTFS' with its possible cluster size problems?

Thanks for any help

Ken




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Ken said:
I use Windows XP. I have just bought a Lacie 160gb USB 2.0 external hard
drive which is already set up as FAT32. I want NTFS. Since no data is
involved, is my best choice to use the Format command rather than the
'Convert H: FS:NTFS' with its possible cluster size problems?

Thanks for any help

Ken
Click to expand...
Yes
 
Ken Ellis said:
I use Windows XP. I have just bought a Lacie 160gb USB 2.0 external hard
drive which is already set up as FAT32. I want NTFS. Since no data is
involved, is my best choice to use the Format command rather than the
'Convert H: FS:NTFS' with its possible cluster size problems?
Click to expand...

Format cannot switch the file system, it can only format the partition
in the file system it was created under. To change the file system,
use the "convert" utility.

You can also use third party software like Partition Magic
(www.powerquest.com) and others, which can convert file systems,
resize and move partitions, and do many other partition-related tasks.
 
In
Ken Ellis said:
I use Windows XP. I have just bought a Lacie 160gb USB 2.0
external
hard drive which is already set up as FAT32. I want NTFS.
Since no
data is involved, is my best choice to use the Format command
rather
than the 'Convert H: FS:NTFS' with its possible cluster size
problems?
Click to expand...



Neither. You don't want to convert it for the reason you mention,
but the Format command doesn't create partitions or change the
file system. For instructions, read here:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313348
 
Ken Ellis said:
I use Windows XP. I have just bought a Lacie 160gb USB 2.0 external hard
drive which is already set up as FAT32. I want NTFS. Since no data is
involved, is my best choice to use the Format command rather than the
'Convert H: FS:NTFS' with its possible cluster size problems?

Thanks for any help

Ken
Click to expand...

Too many benefits of a _portable drive_ will be lost using NTFS.
 
hi frank,

i've heard this before, so i didn't format my external usb drive to ntfs.
i was wondering what exactly is lost? i'm just curious.

thank you.
--
Indera
* * * * * * * * * *
Don't just live life.
Live life well.


:
: : > I use Windows XP. I have just bought a Lacie 160gb USB 2.0 external
: hard
: > drive which is already set up as FAT32. I want NTFS. Since no data
: is
: > involved, is my best choice to use the Format command rather than
: the
: > 'Convert H: FS:NTFS' with its possible cluster size problems?
: >
: > Thanks for any help
: >
: > Ken
:
: Too many benefits of a _portable drive_ will be lost using NTFS.
:
:
 
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