Convert FAT32 to NTFS?

[crazyray]

Is it possible to convert a hard drive formatted FAT32 to NTFS without loss of data? (Win2K is the operating system).

Inquiring minds want to know....

[PresterJohn]

at the cmd prompt type : CONVERT x: /fs:ntfs

substitute your drive letter for x

then reboot the machine to begin...

[OuTpaTienT]

True. And no need to go back. NTFS rocks.

[crazyray]

Tried on my XP machine. Clicked Start, then Run. Typed CMD and pressed enter. Typed CONVERT C:/FS:NTFS and pressed enter. I got the following message:

The type of the file system is FAT32. Convert cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Convert may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? <Y/N>

Am i missing something here?

Edit: I have found the Microsoft "how-to" on this issue. Thank you for the help and comments.

[Gouki]

man I didn't realize it would be that easy to convert...I'd like to do it at some point...but can you post the "how-to" you mentioned? Or perhaps a link to it?

The type of the file system is FAT32. Convert cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Convert may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? <Y/N>

I'd like to know how to answer this question!

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

If I remeber, you hit yes, then it will tell you it can't dismount the volume and it will do it on next reboot.

[mickwish]

Like any process that rewrites the boot volume, always BACKUP any data you don't wanna lose before doing this. It should work, but we are talking windows here people.

Cheers
Mick

[cracked]

well, as stated u can do it w/ windows (which i didnt know until reading this thread) but the way ive always done it was with partition magic. just giving u another option

drew

[Gouki]

Hadn't thought about that....I'd trust a program like Partition Magic more then I would windows. Might have to try that...hee hee

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

I've had partition magic mess up on me a lot more then windows, Well, maybe not but the couple time PQmagic did it took a lot more with it.

I'ld use convert for this, actually the only reason I used PQmagic in the past with NTFS was to convert it back, which it can do as long as there is some free space and no compression.