Converting to NTFS Question

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Patch

My XP Pro is formatted in NTFS. I have a 2nd hard drive still in Fat32. Can
I convert this drive without losing the data on it? If so, how?

Thanks
 
Patch said:
My XP Pro is formatted in NTFS. I have a 2nd hard drive still in
Fat32. Can I convert this drive without losing the data on it? If so,
how?
Click to expand...

Open a command prompt (Start -> Run -> type 'cmd' and hit enter). Now type
'convert D: /fs:ntfs' if D: is your second drive.
 
Go to Start>Run and in the Open box type:
convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs

If your second drive is E: the line would be
convert e: /fs:ntfs

don't forget the space before and after e:

If any files on the second drive are in use by a process, then you will get
a warning message that will ask you if you want to dismount the drive.
Answer Y. If that is unsuccessful the utility will ask if you want the
conversion to happen on the next reboot. Answer Y. The conversion will
then be scheduled for whenever you choose to reboot.
 
to answer your first question, no you won't loose your files if you use the
process mentioned by the guys above. I did the same with mine and it worked.
:)
ml,
andras

Colin Barnhorst said:
Go to Start>Run and in the Open box type:
convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs

If your second drive is E: the line would be
convert e: /fs:ntfs

don't forget the space before and after e:

If any files on the second drive are in use by a process, then you will get
a warning message that will ask you if you want to dismount the drive.
Answer Y. If that is unsuccessful the utility will ask if you want the
conversion to happen on the next reboot. Answer Y. The conversion will
then be scheduled for whenever you choose to reboot.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
Patch said:
My XP Pro is formatted in NTFS. I have a 2nd hard drive still in Fat32.
Can I convert this drive without losing the data on it? If so, how?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
In
Patch said:
My XP Pro is formatted in NTFS. I have a 2nd hard drive still
in
Fat32. Can I convert this drive without losing the data on it?
If so,
how?
Click to expand...


To convert to NTFS, you use the CONVERT command. But first read
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm because there's an issue
regarding cluster size that isn't obvious.

With regard to losing data, by definition, "convert" means that
all data, programs, etc. are kept intact. However there are no
guarantees that it always works perfectly. However unlikely, it's
always possible that something might go wrong. For that reason
it's prudent to be sure you have a backup of anything you can't
afford to lose before beginning.
 
Patch said:
My XP Pro is formatted in NTFS. I have a 2nd hard drive still in Fat32. Can
I convert this drive without losing the data on it? If so, how?

Thanks
Click to expand...

the advice you got here is all good...
just wanted to add that you should have your machine on a UPS...
a power failure during the conversion could be a disaster
 
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