Converting FAT32 to NTFS

**Mombo323** · April 23rd, 2007, 01:53 PM

I have a friend who is running XP Pro, but is it on a FAT32 file system. I want to convert it to an NTFS , but I do not want to have to format or lose any data. Can this be done using the CMD prompt of (convert C: /fs:ntfs)??

They only have one partition on the single drive. If there is another way, I would appreciate the advice, from what Ive read on the procedure the above way will not result in data loss, but using the setup CD will because I would have to format the drive first before converting to NTFS?? thanks for the advise. I just don't want to lose their data .

**ruleofnike69** · April 23rd, 2007, 02:29 PM

I have never done that one. But.......If I were contracted to do this thing I would probably use external media to back up all the data.
As long as all the programs that are accessing the data can be set up again.........it would be the safest way in my opinion. In any respect...........you should back the data up anyway to insure against the loss during any conversion process you do decide to attempt.

**theedisoneffect** · April 23rd, 2007, 02:42 PM

Doing the conversion *shouldn't* cause any data loss, but it can and often does. Maybe nothing immediately noticable, but you'll often find phantom problems afterward due to corrupted files. It's also an excruciatingly slow process if you have a lot of data on the drive. So slow, in fact, that you'd spend less time backing up your data and reinstalling clean. That also puts you at great risk if there's a power outage or something, because if it's interrupted in the process, it's bye-bye data.

**Steve R Jones** · April 23rd, 2007, 02:44 PM

The convert command works well 99% of the time...
As mentioned, backup all important data before proceeding..

**phenious** · April 23rd, 2007, 05:04 PM

I have personally used the command more than a few times and have personally never lost data but I have had a few friends who did have some file corruption, All of them word docs oddly enough. I have never noticed the slowness but I normally convert non C: Drives. Plus I tend to do other things while it converts. Go watch a TV show or something

Or goto Bed. Hehe. I always back up the stuff I cannot lose anyways.

**excuzzzeme** · April 23rd, 2007, 05:37 PM

I too have used the command many times w/o any data loss or corruption. Common sense says back-up first, but is not a requirement.

Simply type the command in the "Run" box and then sit back and let it run. You may have to do it on a restart, That is common also.

**Friedchicken100** · April 23rd, 2007, 06:57 PM

Last time I ran that command, it did the conversion as a scheduled task right before Windows booted after restart. Keep in mind that a conversion is still not as fast as regular NTFS format but you you still get all the same improvements.

**phenious** · April 24th, 2007, 07:36 AM

Correct. You cannot convert your primary partition until you reboot. Other drives however are converted as soon as you type the command.

**Steve R Jones** · April 24th, 2007, 10:25 AM

Mombo323 - did any of the suggestions provided above help?

**ruleofnike69** · April 24th, 2007, 02:22 PM

If it were me. And I wanted an NTSF set up, I would buy a second drive, format it and set up the other drive as a slave. Then I would set that drive up like I wanted it. Then copy all the relevant data to the new drive.
Some folks don't have that luxury. But it is the safest way. The data is always in the safe zone. Hard drives are pretty cheap these days also.
I suppose that since I have never used the described method that I am skeptical. But I do like to be safe as opposed to sorry.

**Mombo323** · April 25th, 2007, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by ruleofnike69

If it were me. And I wanted an NTSF set up, I would buy a second drive, format it and set up the other drive as a slave. Then I would set that drive up like I wanted it. Then copy all the relevant data to the new drive.
Some folks don't have that luxury. But it is the safest way. The data is always in the safe zone. Hard drives are pretty cheap these days also.
I suppose that since I have never used the described method that I am skeptical. But I do like to be safe as opposed to sorry.

What is the easiest way to set up a second partition on their main drive? and once done, should I put the swap file there while Im at it? Do I do a completete system backup (all files and folders, including Windows Folder) before I convert to NTSF using the CMD prompt of "convert C: /fs:ntfs"? Can I do it with FDISK or is there an easier faster way? Do I need a utility to do it? I am not able to get a second drive yet, so want to back up everything on a separate partition on the main drive, convert, then restore the backup, but wont that put windows right back over top of windows again?

**Mombo323** · April 25th, 2007, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Steve R Jones

Mombo323 - did any of the suggestions provided above help?

Yes they have,, I am learning alot.

**Mombo323** · April 25th, 2007, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by phenious

Correct. You cannot convert your primary partition until you reboot. Other drives however are converted as soon as you type the command.

So if I type in the command to convert c: ntfs, its goin to ask me to reboot, and then convert itself from FAT32 to NTFS, Or do I need to add something to the conversion prompt of "convert C: /fs:ntfs" to make it reboot ? thanks

**excuzzzeme** · April 25th, 2007, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Mombo323

So if I type in the command to convert c: ntfs, its goin to ask me to reboot, and then convert itself from FAT32 to NTFS, .....thanks

Yes it will. Most times it will tell you "schedule on next restart" Answer "Yes" and then reboot!
As windows starts to load it will begin your conversion....just sit back, have some coffee and let it run.

**ruleofnike69** · April 25th, 2007, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Mombo323

What is the easiest way to set up a second partition on their main drive? and once done, should I put the swap file there while Im at it? Do I do a completete system backup (all files and folders, including Windows Folder) before I convert to NTSF using the CMD prompt of "convert C: /fs:ntfs"? Can I do it with FDISK or is there an easier faster way? Do I need a utility to do it? I am not able to get a second drive yet, so want to back up everything on a separate partition on the main drive, convert, then restore the backup, but wont that put windows right back over top of windows again?

There are some fellows on here that are more well versed in what you are asking on this one.......I will give them a holla and try to get them involved.......no promises.

Here is a thread that may have some additional info.

Probs with PM - Converting FAT32 to NTFS

**sr71000** · April 25th, 2007, 08:01 PM

In order to create a second partition on a hard drive you need free space. The only way to get free space on a hard drive is to either format (and lose your data) or resize the drive, which is probably even more risky that converting to ntfs. You either need to back up to external media or get a second hard drive! If you were going to get a second hard drive I'd say use it as the master and install windows with ntfs on it, then just use the second drive as a data drive. Why do you want to upgrade to ntfs?