Changing file format on in use disc?

[OldGrandad]

I have a two disk set up as follows;

DISK 0

C: (system) NTFS
E: FAT32
F: FAT32

DISK 1

D: FAT32
G: FAT32
H: FAT32
I: FAT32

Please don't ask as it was originally set up by a more knowledgable friend then I and I took it as granted. I now know of the benefits of NTFS over FAT32 and because all partitions are in use I would like to know if the file system can be changed whilst still holding data? And what command would you use to change formats? Many thanks in advance.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: OldGrandad
I have a two disk set up as follows;

DISK 0

C: (system) NTFS
E: FAT32
F: FAT32

DISK 1

D: FAT32
G: FAT32
H: FAT32
I: FAT32

Please don't ask as it was originally set up by a more knowledgable friend then I and I took it as granted. I now know of the benefits of NTFS over FAT32 and because all partitions are in use I would like to know if the file system can be changed whilst still holding data? And what command would you use to change formats? Many thanks in advance.

here u can decide for ur self i have one 300 gb and one 200gb and one 40gb all ntfs


http://www.ntfs.com/ntfs_vs_fat.htm

 

[alfa147x]

im sorry but im not sure what cammands your would you use but i hope that site is help full

also
u have Posts: 13
Joined: 01/01/2002

but uv benn a member for 4 years, isnt anandtech forums addictive?

 

[imported_Phil]

Here:

Start -> Run -> cmd

convert c: /fs:NTFS
(where C: is the drive letter you wish to convert).

Just choose a drive, type that in and follow the prompts. No, it won't wipe your data

 

[OldGrandad]

Originally posted by: alfa147x
im sorry but im not sure what cammands your would you use but i hope that site is help full

also
u have Posts: 13
Joined: 01/01/2002

but uv benn a member for 4 years, isnt anandtech forums addictive?

I have been a member for 4 years but I tend to get most of my answers by reading and searching. I am no more then intermediate when using PC's so apart from talking about the lousy weather here in the UK I leave all of the clever answers to those who know a lot more then me!!

Originally posted by: Phil
Here:

Start -> Run -> cmd

convert c: /fs:NTFS
(where C: is the drive letter you wish to convert).

Just choose a drive, type that in and follow the prompts. No, it won't wipe your data

Many thanks Phil, I will do that.

 

[OldGrandad]

Originally posted by: Phil
Here:

Start -> Run -> cmd

convert c: /fs:NTFS
(where C: is the drive letter you wish to convert).

Just choose a drive, type that in and follow the prompts. No, it won't wipe your data

I did as you said and got the message in the cmd prompt as follows;

C:\Documents and Settings\Ducatisto>convert D: /fs:ntfs
The type of the file system is FAT32.
Enter current volume label for drive D:

But D: IS the correct drive label, is it not?

Any suggestions as to why this is happening?

 

[imported_Phil]

You need to enter the label for that drive, not the drive letter.
Open My Computer, and see what D: is labelled as; if it's blank, then just press Enter.
For example, my D: drive is simply called Data.

 

[OldGrandad]

Originally posted by: Phil
You need to enter the label for that drive, not the drive letter.
Open My Computer, and see what D: is labelled as; if it's blank, then just press Enter.
For example, my D: drive is simply called Data.

Thanks for that I got a bit further but it throws up another message as follows;

Convert cannot run because the volume is in use by another
process. Convert may run if this volume is dismounted first.
ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID.
Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

Could someone please enlighten me to "dismount", I only associate that with horses!!! but seriously I would like to know of my next move without mucking something up!

 

[bsobel]

Could someone please enlighten me to "dismount", I only associate that with horses!!! but seriously I would like to know of my next move without mucking something up!

Dismount means make the volume unavailable to the operating system while the operation occurs. Hopefully obviously you can't be using files on your d drive while in the middle of converting it. The message came up since something had at least one file handle opened to a file on that drive. Basically, say yes and you'll be fine, the volume will remount when the conversion is complete.

 

[Robor]

Even if the drive can't 'dismount' I believe Windows will ask you if you want the drive to be converted on the next reboot. I'm pretty sure I've done that before.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Robor
Even if the drive can't 'dismount' I believe Windows will ask you if you want the drive to be converted on the next reboot. I'm pretty sure I've done that before.

Correct.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: Robor
Even if the drive can't 'dismount' I believe Windows will ask you if you want the drive to be converted on the next reboot. I'm pretty sure I've done that before.

Correct.

Yep. OldGrandad, if you're not sure, answer No and then answer Yes when it asks to convert on the next reboot.

BTW, where in the UK are you from?

 

[OldGrandad]

Originally posted by: Phil

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: Robor
Even if the drive can't 'dismount' I believe Windows will ask you if you want the drive to be converted on the next reboot. I'm pretty sure I've done that before.

Correct.

Yep. OldGrandad, if you're not sure, answer No and then answer Yes when it asks to convert on the next reboot.

BTW, where in the UK are you from?

First thanks all fro getting me over this.

Hi Phil, am from glum Basingstoke!!

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: OldGrandad

Originally posted by: Phil

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: Robor
Even if the drive can't 'dismount' I believe Windows will ask you if you want the drive to be converted on the next reboot. I'm pretty sure I've done that before.

Correct.

Yep. OldGrandad, if you're not sure, answer No and then answer Yes when it asks to convert on the next reboot.

BTW, where in the UK are you from?

First thanks all fro getting me over this.

Hi Phil, am from glum Basingstoke!!

Ah, you're not so far away from me then; I'm in sunny Eastbourne

Anyway, glad it worked!