Will I lose data when Converting FAT to NTFS

[Xaos]

I have an Lacie External 250GB Hard Drive. I need to convert it to NTFS
so that I can move files that are over 5GB to it. When I follow the
instructions listed below, will I lose data? The instructions didn't say
anything about the possibility of losing anything, so I don't know if
that's an issue.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Chaz

 

[Rock]

I have an Lacie External 250GB Hard Drive. I need to convert it to NTFS
so that I can move files that are over 5GB to it. When I follow the
instructions listed below, will I lose data? The instructions didn't say
anything about the possibility of losing anything, so I don't know if
that's an issue.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Chaz

What instructions? There is always a possibility of data loss. One
should always have a current backup even if you're not planning on such
a change. Data loss is a matter of when, not if. It would be foolish
to do the conversion without a backup. See this link:

http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm

 

[Tim Slattery]

I have an Lacie External 250GB Hard Drive. I need to convert it to NTFS
so that I can move files that are over 5GB to it. When I follow the
instructions listed below, will I lose data? The instructions didn't say
anything about the possibility of losing anything, so I don't know if
that's an issue.

The "convert" utility should switch file systems without losing data.
But it's always a good idea to back up data that you don't want to
lose. The unexpected can always happen.

 

[Vagabond Software]

I've run that conversion on many different makes and models of hardware running Windows 2000 and XP probably twenty times now. I have never had any problems or data loss.

However, I agree with the other responses in this thread. The possibility of a total loss of data is very real. If you have all the media for your Operating System and Program Files, then you may be able to get away with backing up only the Documents and Settings folder structure and data. Of course, this assumes you've been pretty good about keeping all youruser files in the My Documents structure.

carl

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have an Lacie External 250GB Hard Drive. I need to convert it to NTFS
so that I can move files that are over 5GB to it. When I follow the
instructions listed below, will I lose data? The instructions didn't say
anything about the possibility of losing anything, so I don't know if
that's an issue.

See my page www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm on a check and action to
avoid landing up with 512 byte clusters. You ought not to lose data,
but in doing a major task like this should always ensure you have good
backup, just in case (say a power failure at a critical moment)

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

On Wed, 29 Dec 2004 17:16:24 +0000, Alex Nichol

|See my page www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm on a check and action to
|avoid landing up with 512 byte clusters.
Just converted 1 with PM7 which auto makes proper
cluster size.

Just my 2¢ worth- Larry
Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have an Lacie External 250GB Hard Drive. I need to convert it to NTFS
so that I can move files that are over 5GB to it. When I follow the
instructions listed below, will I lose data? The instructions didn't say
anything about the possibility of losing anything, so I don't know if
that's an issue.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Chaz

Under normal circumstances, you can safely convert the partition to
NTFS whenever desired, without having to format the partition and
reinstall everything. As always when performing any serious changes,
back up any important data before proceeding, just in case. A little
advance preparation is also strongly recommended, so you can avoid any
performance hits caused by the default cluster size:

Converting FAT32 to NTFS in Windows
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Alex Nichol]

Just converted 1 with PM7 which auto makes proper
cluster size.

Just my 2¢ worth- Larry

Fine if you have PM around - an expensive item to buy just for the
purpose

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

n Thu, 30 Dec 2004 12:00:27 +0000, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general you wrote:

|Fine if you have PM around

I had already converted a partition when I read your
article which raised doubts in my mind what PM used for
clusters size .I don't remember them giving you any
options when they did the conversion.

At least I read your articles even though they never
have any pictures

Larry
Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.