I want to convert FAT32 to NTFS in WinXP

[Vizy]

http://www.tech-recipes.com/windows_tips474.html

Is that article accurate? What i want to reformat is my external 'backup' drive. Its 500gb and its almost full. And its also using the old FAT32 system. I hate the 4gb limitation, and i would like to switch it to ntfs. Do i absolutley have to backup my 500gb drive? has anyone ever tried it?

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[tyttebøvs]

Yes, the convert command converts a drive to ntfs without destroying the data. But as so many other things here in life, accidents can happen, which is why that article says "should not cause you to lose any data". Many people have done this without failure on a healthy drive.

 

[mac550]

you should be able to convert it without lossing any data but when doing anything like this its always a good idea to make sure you have backed up any data you need/want.

 

[chibicitiberiu]

here are some details about the Convert application if you need:

C:\Documents and Settings\Tiberiu>convert /?
Converts FAT volumes to NTFS.

CONVERT volume /FS:NTFS [/V] [/CvtArea:filename] [/NoSecurity] [/X]

  volume      Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
              mount point, or volume name.
  /FS:NTFS    Specifies that the volume is to be converted to NTFS.
  /V          Specifies that Convert should be run in verbose mode.
  /CvtArea:filename
              Specifies a contiguous file in the root directory to be
              the place holder for NTFS system files.
  /NoSecurity Specifies the converted files and directories security
              settings to be accessible by everyone.
  /X          Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.
              All opened handles to the volume would then be invalid.

 

[Vizy]

Yes, the convert command converts a drive to ntfs without destroying the data. But as so many other things here in life, accidents can happen, which is why that article says "should not cause you to lose any data". Many people have done this without failure on a healthy drive.

Thanks for your reply. The drive in question should be rather 'healthy', never crashed or anything on me yet, and i keep it nice and cool.

you should be able to convert it without lossing any data but when doing anything like this its always a good idea to make sure you have backed up any data you need/want.

Yea, what the hell, might as well just back it up anyways. I'll just back it up to my dad's external drive, and whatever doesn't fit on there, i'll just put it onto my internals, temporarily.

here are some details about the Convert application if you need:

C:\Documents and Settings\Tiberiu>convert /?
Converts FAT volumes to NTFS.

CONVERT volume /FS:NTFS [/V] [/CvtArea:filename] [/NoSecurity] [/X]

  volume      Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
              mount point, or volume name.
  /FS:NTFS    Specifies that the volume is to be converted to NTFS.
  /V          Specifies that Convert should be run in verbose mode.
  /CvtArea:filename
              Specifies a contiguous file in the root directory to be
              the place holder for NTFS system files.
  /NoSecurity Specifies the converted files and directories security
              settings to be accessible by everyone.
  /X          Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.
              All opened handles to the volume would then be invalid.

Lol, thanks dude. Now to go look up 'verbose'.


Thanks for your replies guys!