ntfs fat32 conversion help

[snowc]

i have ntfs formated disc with winxp. now i want to change to fat32 and
install the same winxp in it. is it possible to change from ntfs to
fat32.

especially i want to change the c: in which winxp is installed now.
how to change c: (ntfs) to fat32. i ask this becoz i want to install
linux with winxp.

pls advice how to do this.

 

[Enkidu]

i have ntfs formated disc with winxp. now i want to change to fat32
and install the same winxp in it. is it possible to change from ntfs
to fat32.

especially i want to change the c: in which winxp is installed now.
how to change c: (ntfs) to fat32. i ask this becoz i want to install
linux with winxp.

pls advice how to do this.

It is not possible to change an existing partition from ntfs to fat, but
if all you want to do is transfer files from Windows to Linux you can do
this by creating a small fat partition. Your disk would then look like this:

Windows NTFS partition (Your existing partition)
Windows FAT partition (to transfer files between Windows and Linux)
Linux partition (probably ext2 or ext3)
Linux swap

If you don't have any free space on your disk, you would have to shrink
the Windows NTFS partition to provide space for the three new
partitions. You'd have to use something like Partition Magic to do it.

If you have no experience of modifying partition sizes, you would have
to be very careful not to destroy your existing partitions.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[sno]

hi cliff,

i want to change my harddisk permanently to fat32. i opted for ntfs by
mistake. now i find unable to install linux. but i want linux and winxp
to coexist.

doubt 1) when we install winxp is there any option for deleting the
entire drive and converting it to FAT32?

doubt 2) some ppl say once your disk is ntfs thats all. u cant change
it back it to fat32 even if you delete the entire hard disk. is it true?

 

[Brian A.]

If you don't mind losing all data, boot with a 98 bootdisk and run Fdisk.
Remove any non-dos partition/s, repartition and format the drive.
Once done boot with the XP install disk, select the drive to install, leave
the format as is and install XP.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[neil]

If you want to do a fresh install then you can opt for FAT32 during the
install process. But you can't change to FAT32 unless you have something
like Partition Magic.
Neil

 

[logan]

what is "BECOZ"...
learn some English....


I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html

 

[q_q_anonymous]

i have ntfs formated disc with winxp. now i want to change to fat32 and
install the same winxp in it. is it possible to change from ntfs to
fat32.

especially i want to change the c: in which winxp is installed now.
how to change c: (ntfs) to fat32. i ask this becoz i want to install
linux with winxp.

pls advice how to do this.

It's extremely easy. "Partition Magic" does it. NTFS --> FAT32 it's a
2 minute job.

 

[Enkidu]

hi cliff,

i want to change my harddisk permanently to fat32. i opted for ntfs
by mistake. now i find unable to install linux. but i want linux and
winxp to coexist.

doubt 1) when we install winxp is there any option for deleting the
entire drive and converting it to FAT32?

doubt 2) some ppl say once your disk is ntfs thats all. u cant change
it back it to fat32 even if you delete the entire hard disk. is it
true?

Linux and WinXP can coexist, but NOT, normally, on the same partition.
Well, you might be able to install a specialised, limited version of
Linux that would boot off a Windows partition. Linux does not normally
install on a FAT partition.

What Linux distro do you want to install?

Normally though a Linux system has a minimum of two partitions - a root
partition and a swap partition. These have their own file formats.

This is a somewhat off-topic for a Windows group. I suggest you contact
some local Linux people for advice.

Cheers,

Cliff