Is there an easy (simple) way to convert my C: fat32 to C: NTFS andshould I do it.

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Dorothy

Is there an easy (simple) way to convert my C: fat32 to C: NTFS and
should I do it.

and is it SAFE to do???
 
Dorothy said:
Is there an easy (simple) way to convert my C: fat32 to C: NTFS and
should I do it.

and is it SAFE to do???
Click to expand...

Open XP's Help & Support and type in "convert" for instructions.

Also read this article by the late Alex Nichol:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm

As always, have your data backed up first because although this is
normally an easy process, Stuff Happens.

Malke
 
Dorothy said:
Is there an easy (simple) way to convert my C: fat32 to C: NTFS and
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.

should I do it.
Click to expand...


*I* think so.

and is it SAFE to do???
Click to expand...


Generally it is safe, but it's not risk-free, if that's what you mean.
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.
 
Ken Blake said:
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.




*I* think so.




Generally it is safe, but it's not risk-free, if that's what you mean.
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.
Click to expand...

Why convert to NTFS?
This is 'not' ment to be a smart a__ed remark.
I see no clear cut reason to change from FAT 32.
drybones
 
Dorothy said:
Is there an easy (simple) way to convert my C: fat32 to C: NTFS and
should I do it.

and is it SAFE to do???
Click to expand...


You can safely convert your current hard drive 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

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry
 
drybones said:
Why convert to NTFS?
This is 'not' ment to be a smart a__ed remark.
I see no clear cut reason to change from FAT 32.
drybones
Click to expand...


Personally, I wouldn't even consider using FAT32 when NTFS is an
option. FAT32 has no security capabilities, no compression
capabilities, no fault tolerance, so support for files larger than 4 Gb
(videos, anyone?), and a lot of wasted hard drive space on volumes
larger than 8 Gb in size. (Just try finding a hard drive that small,
nowadays.) But your computing needs may vary, and there is no hard and
fast answer.

To answer your questions without getting too technical is
difficult, but has been handled quite well by the late Alex Nichol in
the article here:

FAT & NTFS File Systems in Windows XP
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfs.htm

Somewhat more technical information is here:

Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q314463

Choosing Between File Systems
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...prodtechnol/winntas/tips/techrep/filesyst.asp

NTFS file system
http://www.digit-life.com/articles/ntfs/


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry
 
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