Changing FAT 32 To NTFS

[dazuk1972]

I lost some info a while ago. Can somebody tell me how to convert an external hard drive from FAT 32 to HTFS, please?

Many thanks.

Darren.

[soup]

My Computer, right click the drive, from drop down menu (Format), (NTFS).

[dazuk1972]

My Computer, right click the drive, from drop down menu (Format), (NTFS).

Many thanks for your help. I must say, I'm so confused with the link. Is there an easier way through things?

Many thanks.

Darren.

[benbryant]

Go Run > and type cmd. When the command prompt opens, for example: if your external drive is D, type: convert d: /fs:ntfs and press Enter when ready

Regards

[doctorhardware]

Not trying to hijack this computer thread. But when using the convert to NTSF from FAT32 will you loose the current files and the OS and other assorted files. I know if you use the format command you will loose OS and all your files and assorted windows files. Please correct me if I am thinking about in the wrong way. Having A major Brain FART:duel:

Great forum all the people here are very helpful and knowledgeable and willing to make suggestions to try to remedy the the problems that you are having.
I am usually in the background browsing the forums seeing what are the problem ''child'' movies that cause the most problems.

[katzdvd]

But when using the convert to NTSF from FAT32 will you loose the current files and the OS and other assorted filesGood point!
dazuk, you may already know that, but if not, be sure to back up all data on that drive, cause once you format it, all will be gone!

[doctorhardware]

I have a drive that I have, that I will try the procedure on that benbryant has suggested and see if there is any file loss or OS corruption on the disk drive tomorrow. I will post the results here, some time tomorrow in the afternoon. So hold onto you hats and buckle your seat belts your in for a very bumpy ride.

:smashead:

[Chewy]

the conversion is supposed to be safe, but MS also specifies that you must back up your data first. if it's so safe why backup?

Every so often I take a data drive and empty all permanent files over onto another drive and delete the partition and then recreate the partition and format(slow) it.

[katzdvd]

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/convertfat.mspx

Changing a volume's existing file system can be time–consuming, so choose the file system that best suits your long–term needs. If you decide to use a different file system, you must back up your data and then reformat the volume using the new file system. However, you can convert a FAT or FAT32 volume to an NTFS volume without formatting the volume, though it is still a good idea to back up your data before you convert.

MSoft says formatting is not absolutely necessary, but me personally, I would do it just because I like a nice, clean drive to work with.

[tigerman8u]

I used the convert method on one of my laptops (Acer) and it worked without any data loss. For some reason Acer partitions the hard drive into two partitions using fat 32 on both partions.

[techreactor]

I have used the conversion process without any backups and without any problems.

The backup is like your health insurance, just incase something goes wrong. Might be required or might not be.

[doctorhardware]

I did convert the one HD with no problems. So I converted my laptop to NTSF and had no problems also.:)

[Gary D]

I just did this yesterday as the ISOs I was storing on the FAT32 drive was giving me problems.

Settings=>Control Panel=>Administrative tools=> Computer Management=>Disc Management

Right click on the drive in question and click format. If you do a quick format, it will take about 10 minutes. If you don't, (like I did), it took about an hour to do a 145GB HD. I had not chosen the quick option because I wanted the drive wiped clean.

It works great now!

[dazuk1972]

Not trying to hijack this computer thread. But when using the convert to NTSF from FAT32 will you loose the current files and the OS and other assorted files. I know if you use the format command you will loose OS and all your files and assorted windows files. Please correct me if I am thinking about in the wrong way. Having A major Brain FART:duel:

Great forum all the people here are very helpful and knowledgeable and willing to make suggestions to try to remedy the the problems that you are having.
I am usually in the background browsing the forums seeing what are the problem ''child'' movies that cause the most problems.

Many thanks for your help.

I'll be sorting that out some time later. I get so many brain farts, too, it blows my mind. I know what you mean.

Darren.

[dazuk1972]

Good point!
dazuk, you may already know that, but if not, be sure to back up all data on that drive, cause once you format it, all will be gone!

I always back-up my files before trying something new as well as when I have to format.

Many thanks for the thought.

Darren.

[dazuk1972]

I have used the conversion process without any backups and without any problems.

The backup is like your health insurance, just incase something goes wrong. Might be required or might not be.

I always back-up my files once a week at least. If I get a mojor problem that stops be saving everything, I only lose about 10% to 5% of my files if that happens. Some people NEVER back-up their files and I never know why.

Darren.