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#1
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
I am using Windows XP Home Edition and my comp HD is
formatted using Fat32. The comp HD is 40GB and is in two partitions. I have recently purchased a 60GB external drive which I wish to use for backup. This drive has been formatted using NTFS. I wish to convert my comp HD to NTFS. Can anyone please advise what is the best way to do this without losing all my files. I was thinking of using "backup" to copy all my files to the external drive then formatting my computer HD and reinstalling Windows using NTFS. Then reinstalling backup to my comp HD. Is this feasable? I am not very computer literate so I would appreciate if you could keep it as simple as possible. Dave |
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#2
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
this is a actually quite easy...
i had to do this just the other week...just use the convert command (see below)... hope this helps... cheers, me. from the xp help : Choosing between NTFS, FAT, and FAT32 You can choose between three file systems for disk partitions on a computer running Windows XP: NTFS, FAT, and FAT32. Use the information below to compare the file systems. NTFS is the recommended file system for the following reasons: a.. NTFS is more powerful than FAT or FAT32, and includes features required for hosting Active Directory as well as other important security features. You can use features such as Active Directory and domain-based security only by choosing NTFS as your file system. b.. It is easy to convert partitions to NTFS. The Setup program makes conversion easy, whether your partitions used FAT, FAT32, or the older version of NTFS. This kind of conversion keeps your files intact (unlike formatting a partition). If you do not need to keep your files intact and you have a FAT or FAT32 partition, it is recommended that you format the partition with NTFS rather than convert from FAT or FAT32. Formatting a partition erases all data on the partition and allows you to start with a clean drive. Whether a partition is formatted with NTFS or converted using the convert command, NTFS is the better choice of file system. For more information about Convert.exe, after completing Setup, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER. In the command window, type help convert and then press ENTER. c.. In order to maintain access control on files and folders and support limited accounts, you must use NTFS. If you use FAT32, all users will have access to all files on your hard drive, regardless of their account type (administrator, limited, or standard.) d.. NTFS is the file system that works best with large disks. (The next best file system for large disks is FAT32.) There is one situation in which you might want to choose FAT or FAT32 as your file system. If it is necessary to have a computer that will sometimes run an earlier version of Windows and other times run Windows XP, you will need to have a FAT or FAT32 partition as the primary (or startup) partition on the hard disk. Most earlier versions of Windows cannot access a partition if it uses the latest version of NTFS. The two exceptions are Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later. Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later has access to partitions with the latest version of NTFS, but with some limitations: It cannot access files that have been stored using NTFS features that did not exist when Windows NT 4.0 was released. For anything other than a situation with multiple operating systems, however, the recommended file system is NTFS. Important a.. Once you convert a drive or partition to NTFS, you cannot simply convert it back to FAT or FAT32. You will need to reformat the drive or partition which will erase all data including programs and personal files on the partition. The following table describes the compatibility of each file system with various operating systems. NTFS FAT FAT32 A computer running Windows XP or Windows 2000 can access files on an NTFS partition. A computer running Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later might be able to access some files. Other operating systems allow no access. Access is available through MS-DOS, all versions of Windows, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and OS/2. Access is available only through Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. The following table compares disk and file sizes possible with each file system. NTFS FAT FAT32 Recommended minimum volume size is approximately 10 megabytes (MB). Volumes much larger than 2 terabytes (TB) are possible. Cannot be used on floppy disks. Volumes from floppy disk size up to 4 gigabytes (GB). Does not support domains. Volumes from 512 MB to 2 TB. In Windows XP, you can format a FAT32 volume up to 32 GB only. Does not support domains. File size limited only by size of volume. Maximum file size is 2 GB. Maximum file size is 4 GB. Note a.. Some older programs may not run on an NTFS volume, so you should research the current requirements for your software before converting wrote in message ... I am using Windows XP Home Edition and my comp HD is formatted using Fat32. The comp HD is 40GB and is in two partitions. I have recently purchased a 60GB external drive which I wish to use for backup. This drive has been formatted using NTFS. I wish to convert my comp HD to NTFS. Can anyone please advise what is the best way to do this without losing all my files. I was thinking of using "backup" to copy all my files to the external drive then formatting my computer HD and reinstalling Windows using NTFS. Then reinstalling backup to my comp HD. Is this feasable? I am not very computer literate so I would appreciate if you could keep it as simple as possible. Dave |
#3
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
Mark thanks for the advice.
I read that if you use the convert command that it may make the clusters 512bytes instead of the the normal 4kb in NTFS. It suggested that the partition should be realigned using a programme called BootIT and the drive defragged before using convert command. They also said that a conversion is not as good as a clean reinstall. What do you think and did you have any problems? Dave -----Original Message----- this is a actually quite easy... i had to do this just the other week...just use the convert command (see below)... hope this helps... cheers, me. from the xp help : Choosing between NTFS, FAT, and FAT32 You can choose between three file systems for disk partitions on a computer running Windows XP: NTFS, FAT, and FAT32. Use the information below to compare the file systems. NTFS is the recommended file system for the following reasons: a.. NTFS is more powerful than FAT or FAT32, and includes features required for hosting Active Directory as well as other important security features. You can use features such as Active Directory and domain-based security only by choosing NTFS as your file system. b.. It is easy to convert partitions to NTFS. The Setup program makes conversion easy, whether your partitions used FAT, FAT32, or the older version of NTFS. This kind of conversion keeps your files intact (unlike formatting a partition). If you do not need to keep your files intact and you have a FAT or FAT32 partition, it is recommended that you format the partition with NTFS rather than convert from FAT or FAT32. Formatting a partition erases all data on the partition and allows you to start with a clean drive. Whether a partition is formatted with NTFS or converted using the convert command, NTFS is the better choice of file system. For more information about Convert.exe, after completing Setup, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER. In the command window, type help convert and then press ENTER. c.. In order to maintain access control on files and folders and support limited accounts, you must use NTFS. If you use FAT32, all users will have access to all files on your hard drive, regardless of their account type (administrator, limited, or standard.) d.. NTFS is the file system that works best with large disks. (The next best file system for large disks is FAT32.) There is one situation in which you might want to choose FAT or FAT32 as your file system. If it is necessary to have a computer that will sometimes run an earlier version of Windows and other times run Windows XP, you will need to have a FAT or FAT32 partition as the primary (or startup) partition on the hard disk. Most earlier versions of Windows cannot access a partition if it uses the latest version of NTFS. The two exceptions are Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later. Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later has access to partitions with the latest version of NTFS, but with some limitations: It cannot access files that have been stored using NTFS features that did not exist when Windows NT 4.0 was released. For anything other than a situation with multiple operating systems, however, the recommended file system is NTFS. Important a.. Once you convert a drive or partition to NTFS, you cannot simply convert it back to FAT or FAT32. You will need to reformat the drive or partition which will erase all data including programs and personal files on the partition. The following table describes the compatibility of each file system with various operating systems. NTFS FAT FAT32 A computer running Windows XP or Windows 2000 can access files on an NTFS partition. A computer running Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later might be able to access some files. Other operating systems allow no access. Access is available through MS-DOS, all versions of Windows, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and OS/2. Access is available only through Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. The following table compares disk and file sizes possible with each file system. NTFS FAT FAT32 Recommended minimum volume size is approximately 10 megabytes (MB). Volumes much larger than 2 terabytes (TB) are possible. Cannot be used on floppy disks. Volumes from floppy disk size up to 4 gigabytes (GB). Does not support domains. Volumes from 512 MB to 2 TB. In Windows XP, you can format a FAT32 volume up to 32 GB only. Does not support domains. File size limited only by size of volume. Maximum file size is 2 GB. Maximum file size is 4 GB. Note a.. Some older programs may not run on an NTFS volume, so you should research the current requirements for your software before converting wrote in message ... I am using Windows XP Home Edition and my comp HD is formatted using Fat32. The comp HD is 40GB and is in two partitions. I have recently purchased a 60GB external drive which I wish to use for backup. This drive has been formatted using NTFS. I wish to convert my comp HD to NTFS. Can anyone please advise what is the best way to do this without losing all my files. I was thinking of using "backup" to copy all my files to the external drive then formatting my computer HD and reinstalling Windows using NTFS. Then reinstalling backup to my comp HD. Is this feasable? I am not very computer literate so I would appreciate if you could keep it as simple as possible. Dave |
#4
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
You don’t have to start from scratch - drives can be converted to NTFS
without reinstall: http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindowsntfs.htm Good Luck! --- How to optimize Windows XP, 2000, ME for the best performance (Step-by-step Visual Guide): http://www.fixyourwindows.com Spyware/Virus Removal and Prevention: http://www.fixyourwindows.com/windowsxpsolutions.htm (Links to online virus scans on the same page) " wrote: I am using Windows XP Home Edition and my comp HD is formatted using Fat32. The comp HD is 40GB and is in two partitions. I have recently purchased a 60GB external drive which I wish to use for backup. This drive has been formatted using NTFS. I wish to convert my comp HD to NTFS. Can anyone please advise what is the best way to do this without losing all my files. I was thinking of using "backup" to copy all my files to the external drive then formatting my computer HD and reinstalling Windows using NTFS. Then reinstalling backup to my comp HD. Is this feasable? I am not very computer literate so I would appreciate if you could keep it as simple as possible. Dave |
#5
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
Hi Dave,
Read: http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm It will help you avoid any pitfalls in this fairly simple process. -- Best of Luck, Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/ Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone Windows help - www.rickrogers.org wrote in message ... I am using Windows XP Home Edition and my comp HD is formatted using Fat32. The comp HD is 40GB and is in two partitions. I have recently purchased a 60GB external drive which I wish to use for backup. This drive has been formatted using NTFS. I wish to convert my comp HD to NTFS. Can anyone please advise what is the best way to do this without losing all my files. I was thinking of using "backup" to copy all my files to the external drive then formatting my computer HD and reinstalling Windows using NTFS. Then reinstalling backup to my comp HD. Is this feasable? I am not very computer literate so I would appreciate if you could keep it as simple as possible. Dave |
#6
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
Windows itself has a utility to do this without losing files. But if I
were you, I would backup my critical files anyway before doing it, just to be on the safe side. wrote: I am using Windows XP Home Edition and my comp HD is formatted using Fat32. The comp HD is 40GB and is in two partitions. I have recently purchased a 60GB external drive which I wish to use for backup. This drive has been formatted using NTFS. I wish to convert my comp HD to NTFS. Can anyone please advise what is the best way to do this without losing all my files. I was thinking of using "backup" to copy all my files to the external drive then formatting my computer HD and reinstalling Windows using NTFS. Then reinstalling backup to my comp HD. Is this feasable? I am not very computer literate so I would appreciate if you could keep it as simple as possible. Dave |
#7
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
wrote:
formatted using Fat32. The comp HD is 40GB and is in two partitions. I have recently purchased a 60GB external drive which I wish to use for backup. This drive has been formatted using NTFS. I wish to convert my comp HD to NTFS. Can anyone please advise what is the best way to do this without losing all my files. See my page at www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm for precautions and method But when doing something major like this always be sure that essential data is freshly backed up, just in case -- Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies) Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit) |
#8
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
no problems when i did it...
i didnt know about the cluster size... i dont know much more than that sorry... wrote in message ... Mark thanks for the advice. I read that if you use the convert command that it may make the clusters 512bytes instead of the the normal 4kb in NTFS. It suggested that the partition should be realigned using a programme called BootIT and the drive defragged before using convert command. They also said that a conversion is not as good as a clean reinstall. What do you think and did you have any problems? Dave -----Original Message----- this is a actually quite easy... i had to do this just the other week...just use the convert command (see below)... hope this helps... cheers, me. from the xp help : Choosing between NTFS, FAT, and FAT32 You can choose between three file systems for disk partitions on a computer running Windows XP: NTFS, FAT, and FAT32. Use the information below to compare the file systems. NTFS is the recommended file system for the following reasons: a.. NTFS is more powerful than FAT or FAT32, and includes features required for hosting Active Directory as well as other important security features. You can use features such as Active Directory and domain-based security only by choosing NTFS as your file system. b.. It is easy to convert partitions to NTFS. The Setup program makes conversion easy, whether your partitions used FAT, FAT32, or the older version of NTFS. This kind of conversion keeps your files intact (unlike formatting a partition). If you do not need to keep your files intact and you have a FAT or FAT32 partition, it is recommended that you format the partition with NTFS rather than convert from FAT or FAT32. Formatting a partition erases all data on the partition and allows you to start with a clean drive. Whether a partition is formatted with NTFS or converted using the convert command, NTFS is the better choice of file system. For more information about Convert.exe, after completing Setup, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER. In the command window, type help convert and then press ENTER. c.. In order to maintain access control on files and folders and support limited accounts, you must use NTFS. If you use FAT32, all users will have access to all files on your hard drive, regardless of their account type (administrator, limited, or standard.) d.. NTFS is the file system that works best with large disks. (The next best file system for large disks is FAT32.) There is one situation in which you might want to choose FAT or FAT32 as your file system. If it is necessary to have a computer that will sometimes run an earlier version of Windows and other times run Windows XP, you will need to have a FAT or FAT32 partition as the primary (or startup) partition on the hard disk. Most earlier versions of Windows cannot access a partition if it uses the latest version of NTFS. The two exceptions are Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later. Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later has access to partitions with the latest version of NTFS, but with some limitations: It cannot access files that have been stored using NTFS features that did not exist when Windows NT 4.0 was released. For anything other than a situation with multiple operating systems, however, the recommended file system is NTFS. Important a.. Once you convert a drive or partition to NTFS, you cannot simply convert it back to FAT or FAT32. You will need to reformat the drive or partition which will erase all data including programs and personal files on the partition. The following table describes the compatibility of each file system with various operating systems. NTFS FAT FAT32 A computer running Windows XP or Windows 2000 can access files on an NTFS partition. A computer running Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later might be able to access some files. Other operating systems allow no access. Access is available through MS-DOS, all versions of Windows, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and OS/2. Access is available only through Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. The following table compares disk and file sizes possible with each file system. NTFS FAT FAT32 Recommended minimum volume size is approximately 10 megabytes (MB). Volumes much larger than 2 terabytes (TB) are possible. Cannot be used on floppy disks. Volumes from floppy disk size up to 4 gigabytes (GB). Does not support domains. Volumes from 512 MB to 2 TB. In Windows XP, you can format a FAT32 volume up to 32 GB only. Does not support domains. File size limited only by size of volume. Maximum file size is 2 GB. Maximum file size is 4 GB. Note a.. Some older programs may not run on an NTFS volume, so you should research the current requirements for your software before converting wrote in message ... I am using Windows XP Home Edition and my comp HD is formatted using Fat32. The comp HD is 40GB and is in two partitions. I have recently purchased a 60GB external drive which I wish to use for backup. This drive has been formatted using NTFS. I wish to convert my comp HD to NTFS. Can anyone please advise what is the best way to do this without losing all my files. I was thinking of using "backup" to copy all my files to the external drive then formatting my computer HD and reinstalling Windows using NTFS. Then reinstalling backup to my comp HD. Is this feasable? I am not very computer literate so I would appreciate if you could keep it as simple as possible. Dave |
#9
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
Dear friends:
Generally speaking, Microsoft's "Convert" utility doesn't cause any problem, but there are some issues. 1) Always do a backup first. 2) If you have Multiboot Capabilities in your boot.ini, including Microsoft's own Recovery Console, they will not work after conversion. The reason for that is that "Convert" forgets to convert the boot sector image that those multi-boot applications need to boot. So you will need to reinstall all of them again. 3) They are some applications, like ZoneAlarm Pro that they will forget all its settings, and others their registrations, so be prepared to reconfigure them after the conversion, or to re-register them. The reason of this problem is explained in Partition Magic 8.01 Help File: "during the conversion, file names are required to be converted from one method representing characters to another method". So, if your program stored its keys or its settings in a file whose name has some special characters in it, maybe its name would have changed after the conversion. 4) The same issue above applies for any user file with special characters in its name. Alex Nichol wrote: wrote: formatted using Fat32. The comp HD is 40GB and is in two=20 partitions. I have recently purchased a 60GB external=20 drive which I wish to use for backup. This drive has been=20 formatted using NTFS. I wish to convert my comp HD to=20 NTFS. Can anyone please advise what is the best way to do=20 this without losing all my files. See my page at www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm for precautions and method But when doing something major like this always be sure that essential data is freshly backed up, just in case Thanks Juan I. Cahis Santiago de Chile (South America) Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it! |
#10
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Converting from Fat32 to NTFS
Juan I. Cahis wrote:
Generally speaking, Microsoft's "Convert" utility doesn't cause any problem, but there are some issues. 1) Always do a backup first. See the serious problem likely to arise and described in the page I mentioned. And please DO NOT send your comments to author when posting a reply here -- Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies) Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit) |
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