fat32 to nfts

[4444]

I want transfer my data from my 60gb and 120gb to a new 250gb harddrive.
The older drives are fat32, the new one is ntfs formatted.
Am I right in asumng there is no risk in doing so, my data will be safe?

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Copying data? It should be safe. But copying programs - no.

 

[Continuity27]

The reason why copying programs isn't, isn't because of FAT32 - NTFS either. It's because when you install most programs, they add keys to the registry. Obvious just copying a program's directory isn't going to copy the keys to the right locations. 😛

If you're putting in a new harddrive, and taking out your only old ones, you'll need to reinstall windows and all your programs and simply copy the strictly data (like word documents, music, etc) over like normal, they will be converted to NTFS without danger.

EDIT: So are you replacing all the hard drives or simply copying some things?

FAT32 -> NTFS is not a problem.

 

[Pariah]

There won't be any problems copying anything so long as your OS isn't on that drive.

 

[4444]

Thanks.
It's only data I'll be transfering (mostly music files).
After that I'll reformat the 60gb and 120gb to ntfs and install xp on the 60gb disk.

 

[Nick5324]

You can convert a FAT32 drive into NTFS, only takes ~5 minutes, not that it would make much difference in your situation. Transfering files will be fine.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Use ghost to transfer the data bit for bit and then do this from a command prompt

convert x: /fs:ntfs

This will tell you that it needs full access to the drive and ask you if you want to dismount first. Say yes and if this is the OS drive it will say it will do it the next time the pc is rebooted.I've never had this hose any data, but anytime you make big changes to the file system you should backup just in case

 

[Coherence]

Keep in mind that x: in his example is the drive letter you are converting. I'm sure you knew that, though. 😉

Also keep in mind that once you convert to NTFS, you can't revert back to FAT without formatting.

Also don't do it if you are running a dual-boot system with an OS that requires a FAT file system, unless you are planning on having multiple primary partitions with different file systems on each for the respective OSes, and don't require file sharing between the two (or more) partitions.

As others suggested, you can Ghost an image of your original drive to the new one, then convert. (If you are willing to shell out the money for Ghost, of course.) That way you don't have to worry about reinstalling your programs and transferring your personal files.

 

[keldysh]

Please note!

When convert FAT32-NTFS allocation unit size result is 512 BYTE! This value is extraordinarily small! Slow performance will result and defrag program will use tremendous physical memory when execute on large volume so BEWARE!

The original question of copying from one place to another does NOT MATTER!

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer
Use ghost to transfer the data bit for bit and then do this from a command prompt

convert x: /fs:ntfs

This will tell you that it needs full access to the drive and ask you if you want to dismount first. Say yes and if this is the OS drive it will say it will do it the next time the pc is rebooted.I've never had this hose any data, but anytime you make big changes to the file system you should backup just in case

Why on earth would you want to do this!?

Just copy the data over to the new drive using explorer, MUCH easier then messing with 3rd party programs. Windows does not care what the source and destination file systems are.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: MCrusty

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer
Use ghost to transfer the data bit for bit and then do this from a command prompt

convert x: /fs:ntfs

This will tell you that it needs full access to the drive and ask you if you want to dismount first. Say yes and if this is the OS drive it will say it will do it the next time the pc is rebooted.I've never had this hose any data, but anytime you make big changes to the file system you should backup just in case

Why on earth would you want to do this!?

Just copy the data over to the new drive using explorer, MUCH easier then messing with 3rd party programs. Windows does not care what the source and destination file systems are.

If the drive contains an OS this is the way to go. If not, by all means copy > paste

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer

Originally posted by: MCrusty

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer
Use ghost to transfer the data bit for bit and then do this from a command prompt

convert x: /fs:ntfs

This will tell you that it needs full access to the drive and ask you if you want to dismount first. Say yes and if this is the OS drive it will say it will do it the next time the pc is rebooted.I've never had this hose any data, but anytime you make big changes to the file system you should backup just in case

Why on earth would you want to do this!?

Just copy the data over to the new drive using explorer, MUCH easier then messing with 3rd party programs. Windows does not care what the source and destination file systems are.

If the drive contains an OS this is the way to go. If not, by all means copy > paste

He said it was data only, and ghosting two drives to one drive doesn't make much sense....

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Some people lump their OS into the data category