convert from fat32 to ntfs on XP Pro

Jeronimo

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Aug 28, 2004
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Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

If I try to convert from the fat32 file system to ntfs,
does this require a reformat, and will I loose data?
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

"jeronimo" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>If I try to convert from the fat32 file system to ntfs,
>does this require a reformat, and will I loose data?

The conversion is in effect a reformat, with the data preserved in
place.

However Murphy's Law applies to computers, and therefore it is always
a good idea to have everything that is really important backed up.

Before doing the conversion read MVP Alex Nichol's article on this
subject at http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm There is an
important preliminary step that you should take.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

No. Just run a command promt Start->Run cmd
enter convert c: /fs:ntfs

assuming it is c: you want to convert


of course, normal caveats about backups etc apply..


--
Tumppi
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"jeronimo" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> kirjoitti viestissä
news:53a601c49162$4e660d70$a501280a@phx.gbl...
> If I try to convert from the fat32 file system to ntfs,
> does this require a reformat, and will I loose data?
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

jeronimo wrote:
> If I try to convert from the fat32 file system to ntfs,
> does this require a reformat, and will I loose data?


You can safely convert the partition to NTFS whenever desired,
without having to format the partition and reinstall everything. As
always when performing any serious changes, back up any important data
before proceeding, just in case. A little advance preparation is also
strongly recommended, so you can avoid any performance hits caused by
the default cluster size:

Converting FAT32 to NTFS in Windows
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

>-----Original Message-----
>jeronimo wrote:
>> If I try to convert from the fat32 file system to ntfs,
>> does this require a reformat, and will I loose data?
>
>
> You can safely convert the partition to NTFS
whenever desired,
>without having to format the partition and reinstall
everything. As
>always when performing any serious changes, back up any
important data
>before proceeding, just in case. A little advance
preparation is also
>strongly recommended, so you can avoid any performance
hits caused by
>the default cluster size:
>
>Converting FAT32 to NTFS in Windows
>http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm
>
>--
>
>Bruce Chambers
>
>Help us help you:
>http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
>You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever
count on
>having both at once. - RAH
>
>Thanks to you all. I shall try these suggestions soon.
>
>.
>