Need to change File System

[Bill Michelson]

I installed a new 120 GB harddrive and transferred my old
files from my previous 20 GB hard drive over to the new
one.

Before the transfer, the 20 GB one had a FAT32 File
System while the 120 GB hard drive had a NTSP (I think)
File system.

After the transfer, the File System on the 120 GB hard
drive chaged to the FAT32 file system.

Was this supposed to happen? If not, how do I change it
back to NTSP (its something similar to that) without
harming any files?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[Walter Clayton]

What did you use to transfer the data?

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp

 

[Ken Blake]

I installed a new 120 GB harddrive and transferred my old
files from my previous 20 GB hard drive over to the new
one.

Before the transfer, the 20 GB one had a FAT32 File
System while the 120 GB hard drive had a NTSP (I think)
File system.

After the transfer, the File System on the 120 GB hard
drive chaged to the FAT32 file system.

Was this supposed to happen? If not, how do I change it
back to NTSP (its something similar to that) without
harming any files?

You mean NTFS. How did you transfer the data?

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP-Windows Shell/User\)]

No, it shouldn't have happened unless you restored an image of the old drive
to the new drive. In that case, yes, that's typical. To convert Fat32 to
NTFS: without losing data, go to a command prompt and type, without the
quotes "convert c: /fs:ntfs" , where c is the drive letter you want to
convert and press enter. You will likely receive a message the drive is in
use and will be asked if you wish to perform this function the next time you
reboot.

NOTE: First, be sure you are well backed up in case something goes wrong or
you will lose all your files.

Second: There is no means of returning to Fat32 natively within XP without
losing all your files and it requires a format. However, third party
utilities such as Partition Magic, www.powerquest.com can handle the task if
necessary.

Third: converting this way will create a small cluster size as opposed to
formatting NTFS and this may slow the system down. Again, third party
utilities such as Partition Magic can adjust the cluster size without
formatting. As in the case above, be sure you have the most recent version
of Partition Magic as many older versions are not compatible with XP.