how to change nfts to fat32

[Ken Alich]

When I installed win2000 on a dual boot system (win98 too)
I accidently set up the drive as NFTS. can I now redo it
to FAT32 like the others with out disturbong the programs
and data already on that drive.

 

[Ken Simmons [MSFT]]

Hi Ken,

You cannot convert a drive from NTFS to FAT32. You will have to start over
with that NTFS drive.

Regards,

Ken Simmons

Microsoft Technical Support for Platforms and Business Applications

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Ken.

Microsoft provides NO way to convert NTFS to FAT32. Which leaves you with 3
options:

1. Invest your time: Backup. Reformat. Restore.

2. Invest your money: Buy Partition Magic (about $70 from Power Quest) or
something similar.

Or, my favorite:

3. Forget Win98.

Your post left out a few details, which MIGHT change my advice, but probably
not.

What was your configuration before you installed Win2K? And HOW did you
install Win2K? You said you "accidently set up the drive as NFTS". What do
you mean by "the drive"? How many partitions did you have, and which one
had Win98 installed on it? You DIDN'T install Win2K into the same partition
with Win98, did you? Microsoft (and nearly everybody else) STRONGLY advises
against that.

So long as you have Win2K drivers for all your hardware, you should not need
Win98 anymore. All your applications will still have to be reinstalled in
Win2K in any case. Dual boot is useful during a transition period, to give
you time to become accustomed to the new Windows and to find drivers for any
of your hardware that doesn't work right at first. You might also need to
continue dual booting if your software won't run on Win2K, but such
applications are rare; just about everything that runs on Win9x/ME can be
configured to run on Win2K/XP.

Just delete the Win98 boot folder (probably C:\Windows) in its entirety to
reclaim the disk space. If you are determined to keep running Win98,
convert your partition as in 1. or 2. above, then see Doug Knox's web page
(it's updated for WinXP, but it applies to Win2K as well):
How do I install Windows® 98/Me after I've installed XP?
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_9x.htm

RC

 

[Ken Alich]

Thank you for your response. I remained with the dual boot
at first to have a working system while learning, but now
only because my Norton antivirus version won't work on
win2000. I know - time to change and get a new Norton
package. Below is my enhancements to your questions.

Your post left out a few details, which MIGHT change my
advice, but probably
not.

What was your configuration before you installed Win2K?
And HOW did you
install Win2K? (Win 2k has its own drive partition and
letter) You said you "accidently set up the drive as
NFTS". What do
you mean by "the drive"? How many partitions did you
have, and which one
had Win98 installed on it?(Win 98 was on C) You DIDN'T
install Win2K into the same partition
with Win98, did you? (Nope) Microsoft (and nearly
everybody else) STRONGLY advises
against that.

So long as you have Win2K drivers for all your hardware,
you should not need
Win98 anymore. All your applications will still have to
be reinstalled in
Win2K in any case. Dual boot is useful during a
transition period, to give
you time to become accustomed to the new Windows and to
find drivers for any
of your hardware that doesn't work right at first. You
might also need to
continue dual booting if your software won't run on Win2K,
but such
applications are rare;( except for the Norton) just about
everything that runs on Win9x/ME can be
configured to run on Win2K/XP.

In your opinion is there a big advantage to nfts?

Thank you for your time and may you have good holidays.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Ken.

In your opinion is there a big advantage to nfts?

Depends on the definition of "big". NTFS is much more secure, both in the
sense of secure from unauthorized access and in the sense of secure from
most hardware glitches. FAT32 has a slight speed advantage on smaller HDs -
up to a few GB in size, which we considered giants just a few years ago when
Win98 was in its prime. But that advantage faded away as we moved past
about 20 GB in typical HD size.

Nowadays, the only advantage of FAT32 that I can think of is that Win9x/ME
(and MS-DOS) can read it. Unless you plan to run Win9x/ME on this computer,
though, I see NO REASON to cling to FAT32.

RC