Changing from FAT32 to NTFS

[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

 

[hells3000]

I think you will

 

[dave597]

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]

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]

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]

heh, sorry guys, haven't seen Sirkenin post

 

[tlarkin]

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.