Format NFTS Partition?

tgillitzr

Golden Member
Mar 10, 2000
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ok, found that

that doesn't work, since i want to format C:, the drive Win2k is installed on...
hmmm
 

hans007

Lifer
Feb 1, 2000
20,212
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boot off your win2k CD, and you can use that to format it, just cancel the install after your format
 

kyoshozx

Senior member
Jun 16, 2000
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If you already have win2k running on your C drive and it's currently FAT or FAT32, just convert it instead of formatting.
go to a command prompt and type "convert c: /fs:ntfs" you'll have to reboot for it to convert. It's done during boot up.
 

Mutilator

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2000
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You'll probably have to use fdisk and remove the partition... then recreate one and format it with FAT or FAT32. Since you're trying to format the drive win2k is on I'm assuming you don't have any data you're trying to preserve.
 

NOX

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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You can format the drive, which Win2k resides on. Use the convert option kyoshozx has shown you. It will tell you it?s not able to convert, but it?ll also ask if you would like to convert at a later time, after restart, just select yes. The next time you restart it will convert your C: driver to NTFS.

You will not lose any data. But there is no reverse process, meaning you can?t convert back to FAT/32.

If you want to do a clean install then repeat the installation process for Win2k. In there you?ll be able to delete partitions and format them for NTFS.
 

NOX

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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Well, he?s not being very informative by stating ?How??????. How do you format NTFS, is what the title is suggesting. Format NTFS doing what, what do you want to do; really?

If he wants to convert to FAT32 on drive C:, which Win2k resides on, then I?m sorry I misunderstood, but you?re going to have to reformat using Win2k. You need to do the Win2k installation process and delete the primary NTFS partition (C:) and format FAT/32. There is no way he can convert NTFS to FAT/32.
 

superbaby

Senior member
Aug 11, 2000
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You can convert NTFS to FAT32 without losing all your data, using programs like Partition Magic. However you won't be able to boot off that drive again and files which depended on NTFS's security descriptors will be screwed up.

If you just want to get rid of NTFS and Win2k, boot up with your Win2k CD and you'll reach a point where it'll ask you which partition to use and what you want to do with it.

If you don't want Win2k at all you might be able to boot off a standard DOS bootdisk and try fdisk from there. Delete the NTFS partition and recreate it in FAT32, then format. However if you don't have a drive in your system that is already FAT/FAT32 that DOS bootdisk may not work.
 

NOX

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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<< You can convert NTFS to FAT32 without losing all your data, using programs like Partition Magic. However you won't be able to boot off that drive again and files which depended on NTFS's security descriptors will be screwed up. >>

Then why suggest it if you can?t boot off of the driver which contains your OS?

Like I said, you can?t do it, or face having problems soon after. It's safer and less of a headache if you reinstall your OS, you need to use Win2k if you want to format FAT/32. Using fidisk you?ll only be able to delete all logical DOS drivers, but if your primary drive is NTFS fdisk wont allow you to delete that partition. You need to use Win2k to partition your C: drive FAT/32. Then after can you format using Win98/ME.
 

superbaby

Senior member
Aug 11, 2000
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I suggested it because he might have stuff he doesn't have a place to backup to. Use your brain jeez... not everyone can afford to format on the whim.
 

tgillitzr

Golden Member
Mar 10, 2000
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I want to stay in NFTS, i just want to clear the drive, so that I can reinstall win2k on a clean drive.

 

NOX

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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<< Use your brain jeez... >>

LOL?what kind of statement is that? You can?t boot from the drive your original OS is installed on, that?s what you?re suggesting, and you?re telling me to use my brain? So what is he to do with that partition (C), just leave it there while you run off of another partition D: maybe? Sorry buddy, but if you were using your brain when you made that statement you wouldn?t be looking so dumb right now.

If he has data he wants to back up then that?s another question. The question at hand is not how can I back up data before I reformat. But how can I ?Format NFTS Partition?, which as been stated.
 

Mutilator

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2000
3,513
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Just run the win2k setup again off the CDROM.. and tell it to format the drive using NTFS instead of the default leave file system the same.
 

NOX

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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<< I want to stay in NFTS, I just want to clear the drive, so that I can reinstall win2k on a clean drive. >>

Then the only logical choice is to do a clean install, by using Win2k, you can even redo your partitions and then format NTFS, or just leave them as is. Of course you would back up all you important data before you do so.
 

tgillitzr

Golden Member
Mar 10, 2000
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Is that going to mess up my other partitions by trying to &quot;convert&quot; to NFTS again, since its already in NFTS???
 

NOX

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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If your other partitions are NTFS then you don?t have to convert.
 

tgillitzr

Golden Member
Mar 10, 2000
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Other partition is fat32

it doesn't matter if thats converted to NFTS, other than that it will be formated
which at this point doesn't matter either since my dumbass already accidently formated that drive