Computer newbies: FAT to NTFS Conversion
FAT to NTFS Conversion
by spudnuts - 3/20/04 9:19 PMHi, I have an external HDD of 120gb and I was wondering if a) there is any benefit in going to NTFS from FAT32 and b) will I lose any data already stored on it? I have a lot of big digital image files and a few have become corrupted of late. I'm running a Toshiba laptop with WinXP.
Thank you much
Spudnuts
For what you want to do, no.
by Coryphaeus - 3/20/04 10:40 PM In reply to: FAT to NTFS Conversion by spudnutsNTFS is more stable on the drive with the OS, but for a slave drive leave it like it is. To answer your question about losing data, the answer is yes if you convert. You have to format to convert.
''Converting'' to NTFS.
by Cursorcowboy - 3/21/04 4:54 AM In reply to: For what you want to do, no. by CoryphaeusThe article [Q314097] explains that Windows XP supports two disk file systems: the file allocation table (FAT) file system and the NTFS file system. This article explains how to convert a FAT partition into an NTFS partition and discusses the considerations that you must take into account. [Q307881] describes how to convert a FAT16 or FAT32 volume to NTFS. Whereas, [Q314878] describes and lists the default values that Windows uses to format a volume. The article lists default values for both the NTFS file system and the file allocation table (FAT) file system.
Bill Gaston
Re:For what you want to do, no.
by mlshome - 3/21/04 10:16 PM In reply to: For what you want to do, no. by CoryphaeusI would like to remark on this fellows response. He is correct that NTFS is more stable,but not without it's own problems, just like other file systems. However, as regards losing data in conversion, I would disagree. We have converted all our drives from Fat32 to NTFS without a single file being lost. We have literally thousands of drafts, so we were concerned about losing data also.We used PartionMagic 8.0 to do the conversions. It was as simple as click, click, click...done. Then sit back and let PartionMagic do it's thing.
So, Just To Confirm
by spudnuts - 3/22/04 3:42 AM In reply to: Re:For what you want to do, no. by mlshomeIt is safe to convert my external HDD with files onboard? I am busy doing back-ups anyway, but it would be useful to know I don't have to empty the drive first. I'll check out Partition Magic and see what's what.
Thank you, much appreciated.
Yes you can convert without losing data but ....
by trytohelp - 3/26/04 10:05 PM In reply to: So, Just To Confirm by spudnutsas with doing anything it is recommended to back up your stuff first. You don't need Partition Magic Windows will do it, I've done it, here is the instructions from Help and support.
To convert a volume to NTFS from the command prompt
Open Command Prompt.
In the command prompt window, type
convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs
For example, typing convert D: /fs:ntfs would format drive D: with the ntfs format.
Notes
To open command prompt, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.
You can convert FAT or FAT32 volumes to NTFS with this command.
Besides security there are many other benefits to NTFS...
by Edward ODaniel - 3/21/04 10:06 AM In reply to: FAT to NTFS Conversion by spudnutsand conversion is safe and easy.
You open a command prompt and enter the command:
CONVERT drive: /FS:NTFS /V
With drive being the partition you want to convert and the /V indicating that you want verbose mode so you can see what is going on. You do NOT need the /V but I personally prefer using the verbose mode.
CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS [/V] will generally get you a message that it can't be converted as files are in use but will offer to do the conversion on the next boot. Other partitions such as your external drive and its partitions are much less likely to have to wait for a reboot and will convert immediately.
Just noticed your name/handle. . .
by Coryphaeus - 3/27/04 5:57 AM In reply to: FAT to NTFS Conversion by spudnutsThere was a doughnut shop in Lubbock, Texas in the fifties that made their doughnuts from potato flour. Great and different flavor. The name of the shop was Spudnuts. Are you from Lubbock and old enough to remember this?
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