FAT32 to NTFS

buzzby · 04-07-2007, 01:12 PM

hi

I have an external hard drive that is FAT32 at the moment but I want to change it to NTFS.
Is this easy to do and how do I go about it.
Also I have files on there at the moment I want to keep, can I do this?

Thanks

Buzz

**jimmymac** · 04-07-2007, 01:30 PM

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881

the above link has everything you need, a simple command line trigger will convert from fat32 to ntfs without loss of data

**Cromewell** · 04-07-2007, 08:18 PM

Backup anything you have on the drive first. It's not supposed to cause data loss but it doesn't always work. I know a couple people who have had to reformat because the conversion screwed up.

oscaryu1 · 04-07-2007, 08:45 PM

yes listen to cromewell. backup everything then change to ntfs. you will hvae all data, and if you have the standard hdd, and you put it in your computer, you cant change it back to fat32 or fat16. which means you can only install 2k vista xp or soething, you MIGHT be able to change it to fat again but i have not researched it deeply enough.

PC eye · 04-08-2007, 09:14 AM

XP along with the older NT cored versions of Windows as well as Vista are all native to NTFS type partitions. XP is the only one that will install to the older Fat16 or Fat32 type partitions there. NTFS is also a more efficient and stable type without the headaches often seen with Fat.

buzzby · 04-09-2007, 05:34 PM

Hi

Cheers for all the advice, whats the best way to back up all the data? It would take quite a few dvdr's.
Is there any software that deals specifically in data back up?

Buzz

[-0MEGA-] · 04-09-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzby

Hi

Cheers for all the advice, whats the best way to back up all the data? It would take quite a few dvdr's.
Is there any software that deals specifically in data back up?

Buzz

Well you said it's an external hard drive, so why not just temporarily copy everything to the internal hard drive?

And you dont need any special software, just either copy all the files to the internal hard drive or copy the files to blank DVD's.

PC eye · 04-10-2007, 06:55 AM

The first thing to do is find out how many files/folders are involved and how drive space is used by them. A data dvd holds just over 4gb. If you have only have 4-5gb of free drive space you risk the chance of seeing error messages coming up about the lack of free space needed for virtual memory where the system creates a paging file. Those are generally about 2gb in size. One or more data dvds would then be one idea.

With multiple drives seeing multiple OSs backing up files for one drive goes to another with enough free space. With XP Home on the primary ide drive and Vista on the second I don't have to worry about filling the first sata drive with backups even with XP Pro installed there for temporary use. The ide drives are 238.4gb after partitioning and formatting while the now two sata drives are 465.88gb there. (ut oh! time for some rearranging here!

)

sourov · 04-11-2007, 10:37 PM

i wonder which one is better if i have win xp is it ntfs or fat 31

sourov · 04-11-2007, 10:41 PM

sorry i meant fat32

04-07-2007, 01:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
buzzby Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 62	FAT32 to NTFS hi I have an external hard drive that is FAT32 at the moment but I want to change it to NTFS. Is this easy to do and how do I go about it. Also I have files on there at the moment I want to keep, can I do this? Thanks Buzz

04-07-2007, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
jimmymac Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chester, UK Age: 28 Posts: 3,692	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881 the above link has everything you need, a simple command line trigger will convert from fat32 to ntfs without loss of data __________________ I tried to put my signature in here but my pen ruined the monitor. http://www.peytonmusic.com/ http://forum.peytonmusic.com/ the most uplifting soulful music you will ever hear...

04-07-2007, 08:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cromewell Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 25 Posts: 10,112	Backup anything you have on the drive first. It's not supposed to cause data loss but it doesn't always work. I know a couple people who have had to reformat because the conversion screwed up. __________________ You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til ya understand who's in ruttin' command here. I must plug a couple comics because they are good :D: www.ctrlaltdel-online.com www.userfriendly.org

04-07-2007, 08:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
oscaryu1 VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 13 Posts: 10,043	yes listen to cromewell. backup everything then change to ntfs. you will hvae all data, and if you have the standard hdd, and you put it in your computer, you cant change it back to fat32 or fat16. which means you can only install 2k vista xp or soething, you MIGHT be able to change it to fat again but i have not researched it deeply enough. __________________ Core 2 Duo E2140 1.6GHz @ 3.04GHz GA-P31-DS3L pqi Turbo CL4 DDR2-800 2GB Sapphire HD3850 256MB Sony Writemaster DVD Burner EIDE Seagate Barracuda 80GB 7200.9 8MB SATII

04-08-2007, 09:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,311	XP along with the older NT cored versions of Windows as well as Vista are all native to NTFS type partitions. XP is the only one that will install to the older Fat16 or Fat32 type partitions there. NTFS is also a more efficient and stable type without the headaches often seen with Fat. __________________ Turning the Tongue into a Device Controller http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Sma...ory?id=5647175 Is EBay going out of the Auction Business? http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5626840&page=1

04-09-2007, 05:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
buzzby Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 62	Hi Cheers for all the advice, whats the best way to back up all the data? It would take quite a few dvdr's. Is there any software that deals specifically in data back up? Buzz

04-10-2007, 06:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,311	The first thing to do is find out how many files/folders are involved and how drive space is used by them. A data dvd holds just over 4gb. If you have only have 4-5gb of free drive space you risk the chance of seeing error messages coming up about the lack of free space needed for virtual memory where the system creates a paging file. Those are generally about 2gb in size. One or more data dvds would then be one idea. With multiple drives seeing multiple OSs backing up files for one drive goes to another with enough free space. With XP Home on the primary ide drive and Vista on the second I don't have to worry about filling the first sata drive with backups even with XP Pro installed there for temporary use. The ide drives are 238.4gb after partitioning and formatting while the now two sata drives are 465.88gb there. (ut oh! time for some rearranging here! ) __________________ Turning the Tongue into a Device Controller http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Sma...ory?id=5647175 Is EBay going out of the Auction Business? http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5626840&page=1

04-11-2007, 10:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
sourov Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 29	i wonder which one is better if i have win xp is it ntfs or fat 31

04-11-2007, 10:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
sourov Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 29	sorry i meant fat32

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