Convert from FAT32 to NTFS

[manavo11]

Is it risky to do it when you have data on the disk? Any danger like partitioning?

I found this :

convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs

in the help. Is it correct?

Thanks

[dglienna]

I did it quite a while ago, and had no problem. It was surprisingly slow, on the machine that I was using, but the machine was slow doind everythihng.
You should have no problem. I think that you can do it from within Drive Management, too.

[NoteMe]

WHy are you doing it in the console? What data is it on the HDD? Can't you just boot with your favorite Win CD and do it like that? Or use the Device manager in Win?

[manavo11]

I don't know how to do it, and my main concern is if there is any chance of the data on the disk is in any danger...

[NoteMe]

I would extremly recomend a backup if I where you.......but I am not sure thoug. Never tried it my self.

[NoteMe]

Got you...

If an automatic conversion fails at boot, look for details in Event Viewer in the application log under Winlogon. The application log will list the cause of the convert failure. If the conversion fails due to difficulty in converting files with strange file names, reissue the convert command using the /nametable switch and attempt automatic conversion. The system will consult the nametable created by convert during the automatic conversion.

[<ABX]

Like any kind of major file operation... the is a risk. it would probably screw the partition (and all the data) over if there was a power failure.

I did use that exact same command on my first XP install and it worked fine, but the preformance was better when it was a complete reinstall.

My Advice:

Resize the current partition so that there is enough unallocated space to store all the data you want to keep. create a new partition on the unallocated space, format and the copy your data over. Then you can do a complete reinstall of windows or just do a convert c: /fs:ntfs on the system partition (if that is the one you are using). you will need partition magic or some other app that will allow you to resize a partition w/o losing data. but this process also has risks.

[manavo11]

Well, I guess it isn't worth the risk. I'll go through everything and backup Thanks

[dglienna]

if you have any problem, then the fiename would be in a table. if you have standard names, there won't be a problem. i guess it wouldn't hurt to play it safe, but I did it with no problem.

[NoteMe]

If you have seen his Greek VB apps, then you know it is not safe...I don't understand a *quack* out of it..

[manavo11]

How do you mean "standard"? I have Greek filenames... Where would they be classified?

Well NoteMe can't understand anything anyhow j/k

[NoteMe]

I think he is talking about those weird letters that you are using in Hellas and the file table in the OS...like we have ÆØÅ here...

[manavo11]

I think he is talking about those weird letters that you are using in Hellas and the file table in the OS...like we have ÆØÅ here...

Exactly... Would having our weird funky letters of the alphabet in a filename complicate things?

[NoteMe]

Might do. It does that sometimes for me. At least when I first started to burn CDs. I had an app caled "tre på rad", and when I burned it, it was called "tre p+ rad", and since the + sign is not alloed, I couldn't open the folder anymore. So it was lost.



ØØ

[manavo11]

Might do. It does that sometimes for me. At least when I first started to burn CDs. I had an app caled "tre på rad", and when I burned it, it was called "tre p+ rad", and since the + sign is not alloed, I couldn't open the folder anymore. So it was lost.



ØØ

Then I'm definatelly making backups!

Thanks

[dglienna]

I think it means errors in the FAT, not specific characters used in the filename. i did it without backup and had no problem. Just don't do it on a disk that is less than 400 MB. (as if they still exist)

[manavo11]

I think it means errors in the FAT, not specific characters used in the filename. i did it without backup and had no problem. Just don't do it on a disk that is less than 400 MB. (as if they still exist)

I think I'll back up anyway... Better safe than sorry like my mommy always says

[dglienna]

Let us know how it goes, after you back it up.