Partition problem NTFS -> FAT32 Drive letter changes.

[|mpeg|]

Currently I have Win2k on my C: (20 GIG NTFS DRIVE) and my D: (17.2 GIG BACKUp DRIVE). I want to fdisk the C: and make it FAT32 but I have done this previously and my D: (BACKUP) turns into C: then when I goto format the C: (main) turns into D: and the D: (backup drive) turns into the C:. how do i do this without this happening.

To sum it all up I want to keep my drive letters the same when I fdisk/format my NTFS drive to FAT32, how can this be done without my D: (backup drive) changing to C:?

 

[PAT31850]

Can't you just convert to fat 32 while running Win2k like you do in Win98se without doing FDISK? Also suffering a case of mind loss-what is NTFS?

 

[|mpeg|]

nope

 

[frostgiant]

NTFS = NT File System

 

[Slikkster]

How about this? Power off, then remove the IDE drive cable and power connector to your D: drive temporarily. Then power up and check the bios to make sure the D drive isn't showing anywhere in the configuration (your second drive, that is. Your cdrom will probably temporarily show up as D: I wouldn't worry about that. The only issue that might present is if you install from the CDROM and later need to update your files or add windows programs, it might not find your CD correctly. You can change that either in the registry or just copy the contents of the cd to the hard drive and install that way).

Now, FDISK your primary C: drive as you want, then format it. Reinstall Win2K on it. Then, add the D: drive back to the mix by connecting it's power and IDE cable (with the power off, of course) and reboot, check the bios to make sure the D: is shown correctly, and you should be set.

 

[Bglad]

I would try slicksters idea but this shouldn't happen. If your drives aren't partitioned, the primary master if set to active should always be recognized as the c drive. hmmmm are you sure there aren't any more details you're not giving us?

 

[cavingjan]

When you ran fdisk and removed the partitions on the 20 gig drive, it caused the partition on the 17 gig drive to become the primary active partition (thus the new C designation). What you can do is simply, remove that drive and partition the 20 gig drive and set that partition as the primary active partition. Format that drive with FAT 32. Put the 17 gig drive back into the BIOS so that it is also recognized and it should now be D again. Boot up and install the OS again on 20 gig drive. If however you have an OS on the 17 Gig drive, things will get a little more interesting.

 

[Slikkster]

heheh...I believe I said as much.

 

[cavingjan]

Just about. I was writing a report here at work at the time. Instead of disconnecting the drive, just remove it from the BIOS. The other thing different is by hooking up the second drive before installing the OS, it throws the CD drive back to E. Easier down the road when it keeps asking for the win cd but with a 20 gig drive, there's no reason not to copy the whole cd onto the hard drive itself to completely avoid having it prompt you for the cd.
Anyway, long day. Shouldn't post while bored. Could be dangerous.

Edit: Both approaches should net you the same results. (But when was the last time the computer did something it was supposed to do?)