how to convert FAT32 to NTFS when I have Win2K already as FAT32??

[j@cko]

How do I do that?

 

[Charles]

Open a command prompt window.
In the command prompt window, type:

convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs (replace drive_letter with C

 

[Rellik]

U can convert FAT32 to NTFS and back on the fly in the computer management in w2k, however, all data on that partion will BE LOST!

When running w2k, one should at least format the system partion as NTFS. FAT32 for is good for compatibility with ghost, and win9x clients in a netwotk enviroment, however, NTFS is more stable and better when using large partions.

 

[j@cko]

this won't wipe out the stuff I have already on the drive right?

 

[bacillus]

read Rellik's reply again.


<<U can convert FAT32 to NTFS and back on the fly in the computer management in w2k, however, all data on that partion will BE LOST!>>

 

[j@cko]

<< read Rellik's reply again. >>


when I posted, Rellik's post was up yet..

 

[fastman]

In Win2k Server you can upgrade basic disks to dynamic disks then convert to NTFS. You do this through Administrative Tools, Disk Management.

 

[j@cko]

can I use Partition Magic 6.0?? Will that way still erase the data?

 

[j@cko]

<< In Win2k Server you can upgrade basic disks to dynamic disks then convert to NTFS. You do this through Administrative Tools, Disk Management. >>


Does it have in Win2K Pro.?

 

[rbV5]

All of your Data will NOT be lost if you are going from fat32 to NTFS with the Administrative tools disk managment or with the command prompt, I have done this myself, no lost data,no problems. Be sure to back up your important data first just in case. I don't believe you can go the other way, NTFS>fat32 without losing data however.

 

[j@cko]

when I use Disk Management, it says I can't, cu'z I don't have 1MB of unpartition space.. what the hell?

 

[rbV5]

Use the command line with the instructions from Charles, thats the way I did it as well, it'll tell you it can't do it because your disk is in use, then it'll ask if you want to do it when you reboot, just pick yes and reboot.

 

[jaywallen]

Not to beat a dead horse (This has been discussed a lot around here.) but it's important to note that using the CONVERT utility will cause you to wind up with 512 byte allocation units (clusters). That is NOT good for performance -- for a lot of reasons. It's best to format NTFS from with Windows 2000 setup during the install. Any drive over 2 gigs will be given 4,096 byte clusters by default, but you can choose from a wide range of cluster sizes at that time. In point of fact, 4,096 is optimum for most situations.

Regards,
Jim

 

[Hector13]

Or just use Partion magic 6. It will let you do whatever you want without losing any data.

 

[Zero]

jaywallen:

Is there a switch you can use with the convert utility so you can set 4,096 byte clusters instead of the default 512? I'm currently running win2k with fat32 but would like to convert to ntfs.....but not if I will incur a performance hit. But if there is a switch to set 4,096 as the cluster size...I would sure like to know what it is. Thanks.

Zero

 

[Zero]

anyone....anyone?

 

[jaywallen]

<< Is there a switch you can use with the convert utility so you can set 4,096 byte clusters instead of the default 512? I'm currently running win2k with fat32 but would like to convert to ntfs.....but not if I will incur a performance hit. But if there is a switch to set 4,096 as the cluster size...I would sure like to know what it is. Thanks. >>



No, I'm sorry. The only way to specify cluster sizes in NTFS is at the time the partition is formatted. It's what I consider to be the most serious flaw in this operating system's basic setup procedures. Not only would conversion leave you with 512 byte clusters, it would also place the MFT well back from the &quot;front&quot; of the partition. Neither of these is an ideal arrangement.

If you have the unpartitioned space on the drive, or if you have a partition utility like Partition Magic, you could create a small temporary W2K partition &quot;later&quot; on the drive, install W2K there, boot into that partition, copy your data out to it, then format the first partition from within Disk Manager. After that, an installation to that first partition would have the ideal cluster size and MFT location (front of the drive). The temporary partition could then be wiped and used as a data or programs partition. There are a lot of possible strategies / variations on the theme. But the bottom line is that, if you want 4,096 byte clusters on an NTFS install, you'll have to do a re-installation of W2K. Perhaps one of the third party utility vendors, or even Microsoft, will work a little magic in the ensuing months and overcome this issue for us.

Regards,
Jim

 

Like jaywallen said you will end up with 4k clusters which really suck. You will also have the Master File Table placed in an non-optimal spot on the disk. It should be at the start of the disk for maximum performance. When you convert, the convert util places it at the end of the free space, and may fragment it.

The best way to install NT/2k on an NTFS partition is to format the partition as NTFS from a working NT/2k install. Any other way is simply non-optimal. Even if you do a fresh install of Win2k it will first format the disk as FAT32 then run convert at the first reboot. Not good enough.

 

[Zero]

Thanks for the input guys.

Zero