Changing from FAT32 to NTFS

JimboJangles · 09-21-2006, 12:34 AM

I bought an external hard drive and it's using FAT32 file system...
How can I change it to NTFS?
If I do format to NTFS, will I be clearing all of the data from my external drive to do it?! =S

hells3000 · 09-21-2006, 12:43 AM

I think you will

dave597 · 09-21-2006, 12:48 AM

its gud to backup data anyway. I'm not sure you need to erase all data though, I remember converting fat32 to ntfs using windows 2000 pro.

SirKenin · 09-21-2006, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimboJangles

I bought an external hard drive and it's using FAT32 file system...
How can I change it to NTFS?
If I do format to NTFS, will I be clearing all of the data from my external drive to do it?! =S

At the command prompt type in convert {drive letter}: /fs:ntfs. You won't lose any data during the process. Just don't turn your computer off.

paga · 09-21-2006, 03:52 PM

what u should do is just type C(or drive u want to change) :/fs:ntfs in the command prompt
and most probably u won't lose any data.
anyway, to fill more save i'd recommend u to use some Disk manager freewares. find them in google.

paga · 09-21-2006, 03:53 PM

heh, sorry guys, haven't seen Sirkenin post

tlarkin · 09-21-2006, 03:58 PM

first off you always run the risk of losing data anytime you mess with the file system, modify a critical file, etc.

Windows XP has built in conversion software for converting file systems, so does partition magic.

Always back up data before you do anything.

09-21-2006, 12:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
JimboJangles Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oklahoma City Age: 22 Posts: 97	Changing from FAT32 to NTFS I bought an external hard drive and it's using FAT32 file system... How can I change it to NTFS? If I do format to NTFS, will I be clearing all of the data from my external drive to do it?! =S

09-21-2006, 12:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
dave597 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,016	its gud to backup data anyway. I'm not sure you need to erase all data though, I remember converting fat32 to ntfs using windows 2000 pro. __________________ dual monitor 17" CRT and TFT amd athlon 64 3200+ ati 9600 pro 1 gig ram

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09-21-2006, 12:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
hells3000 Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In My House Posts: 883	I think you will

09-21-2006, 03:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
paga Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 34	what u should do is just type C(or drive u want to change) :/fs:ntfs in the command prompt and most probably u won't lose any data. anyway, to fill more save i'd recommend u to use some Disk manager freewares. find them in google.

09-21-2006, 03:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
paga Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 34	heh, sorry guys, haven't seen Sirkenin post

09-21-2006, 03:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
tlarkin VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 6,947	first off you always run the risk of losing data anytime you mess with the file system, modify a critical file, etc. Windows XP has built in conversion software for converting file systems, so does partition magic. Always back up data before you do anything.