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View Full Version : Simple Solution to a FAT32-NTFS Switchover

peachstapler
10-22-2003, 10:52 AM
Ladies and gentlemen of the forum,

In an operation that should have occurred years ago, I have decided to finally install either Windows 2000 or XP on a hard drive that is running an incredibly weathered installation of Windows 98.

I feel that my media collection on this system's 20GB backup drive should go with the switchover to NTFS (backup drive contains no OS, only FAT32-structured media files). So, I am asking you for advice on how to bring this second hard drive into the world of NTFS while maintaining the files.

How would you go about doing this?

Thank you for your time. My hard drive and others like it across the globe are appreciative. :)
iC4
10-22-2003, 11:59 AM
install xp on your first harddrive, copy all files from the second hard drive to the first one, format the second one with ntfs and copy all files from the first one to the second one

if you haven't enough space just burn some dvds or cds
peachstapler
10-22-2003, 12:11 PM
Would that really work?

I am not that familiar with XP's technology, but several years back, I attempted to hook-up a FAT32 drive filled with mp3 files as a slave on a Windows 2000-based PC, and it wiped out the files completely ... apparently because Windows 2000 didn't like FAT32 trying to run things its way. Goodbye mp3 collection.

Could it be true what 'iC4-' is saying? Someone enlighten us.
Unraveled
10-22-2003, 04:43 PM
Currently my system is dual booting win2k/xp and I have no trouble reading the fat32 partitions, even when the OS is running on a NTFS partition.
As a sidenote: Fat32 partitions can be upgraded to NTFS without data loss. So when you pop in the xp/2000 disk and go for the install select a new install (as opposed to upgrade) and let the installer reformat your disk to NTFS. After the install process is complete, you will have Win2k/xp and 98 on the same NTFS partition. From there all you have to do is delete the old /windows folder where win98 lived and you are golden.

Almost forgot, using this method your computer will think it is dual booting 98 and your new OS. All you need to do is edit the boot.ini file and remove the reference to win98.

Hope this helps.
jsa2001
10-22-2003, 05:28 PM
I think you could just copy winxp on one drive (master) then put your backup drive (slave) assuming with your mp3 files on it and convert it to ntfs without any problems within xp, i dont think it will damage you're mp3's
peachstapler
10-22-2003, 07:33 PM
I received this advice from the SA Goons:

Open a prompt, and type

"convert C: /FS:NTFS"
where C: is the drive you wish to convert.

You will be prompted for a drive label somewhere along the line.
The conversion shouldn't take more than an hour.

Does this look like it would be an effective method?
rubberduck
10-22-2003, 08:03 PM
It works fine. Used it few times over the years.

M.
jsa2001
10-22-2003, 09:54 PM
Yeah that works but if it won't convert type in this instead. convert C: /FS:NTFS /V /X
peachstapler
10-22-2003, 11:29 PM
How will I know if it doesn't convert correctly? And what is the function of the command "convert C: /FS:NTFS /V /X" in relation to the standard "convert C: /FS:NTFS"?
jsa2001
10-23-2003, 05:19 AM
Well i think it would tell you that it can't convert the volume or something and give you that command instead to use, i'm not sure how it does it in relation to the 1st command.
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