problem converting fat32 to ntfs

[Sheila]

I am trying to convert my FAT32 Windows XP hard drive into an NTFS Windows XP
hard drive. I've already followed the instructions at the following link and
they did not work: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307286

After I type in convert c: /fs:ntfs and hit Enter it responds, "The type of
the file system is FAT 32. Enter current volume label for drive C:" So far
so good. But when I type in Y and press Enter it responds, "An incorrect
volume label was entered for this drive." So I'm hung up at that point. The
instructions make it sound as if the Y command will override this step or
"dismount the volume" but it's not working.

If it's any help I think the "volume label" is a name you can assign to the
hard drive and I chose to leave it blank when I was reformatting my hard
drive and installing Windows XP.

Help!!!

Thanks

 

[Another Brian]

The help pages often miss a step. When it asks for a volume label,
just press enter for a blank label.

 

[JS]

You can create a volume label by double clicking on the 'My Computer' icon.
Next click on the drive letter you want to enter a label (C: in you case).
with the drive letter highlighted, right click and select 'Properties'.
In the Properties window click on the 'General' tab.
Now enter the drive label in the box just to the right of the drive symbol.
Click the 'Apply' button and then 'OK' to exit.

JS

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Either assign a drive label before you start as JS advises or leave blank
when asked for it as Another Brian suggests.

 

[Sheila]

Guys,

Thank you for all of the help. I wasn't expecting to get ANY responses.
This will be the first place I come whenever I have a problem in the future.

I was getting so frustrated after I posted the message that I took a break.
Then I remembered where I last saw the "volume label" so I went to the A:
prompt and typed in fdisk and then option #4 to Display the Partitions.

But I thank each of you so much for taking the time to respond to my
question. And next time I will just take JS's suggestion and go to
Properties for the C: drive. That was a great tip JS!

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I am trying to convert my FAT32 Windows XP hard drive into an NTFS Windows XP
hard drive. I've already followed the instructions at the following link and
they did not work: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307286

After I type in convert c: /fs:ntfs and hit Enter it responds, "The type of
the file system is FAT 32. Enter current volume label for drive C:" So far
so good. But when I type in Y and press Enter it responds, "An incorrect
volume label was entered for this drive." So I'm hung up at that point. The
instructions make it sound as if the Y command will override this step or
"dismount the volume" but it's not working.

If it's any help I think the "volume label" is a name you can assign to the
hard drive and I chose to leave it blank when I was reformatting my hard
drive and installing Windows XP.

You've already gotten answers to your question. I wanted to add
another point. Before you do the conversion, it's important that you
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.

 

[JS]

You're welcome.

JS