Converting File Systems

reddragon_syndicate · Post by **reddragon_syndicate** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:33 am

I bought a 80 GB Seagate hard drive a few months ago. Problem was it was a FAT32, after a month or so.. i got aggitated with it (having a single file size limit to 1Gig n'such) so I looked around and found that FAT32 and FAT16 can be converted to NTFS. After looking around a bit on the forums I didnt notice this sort of thing on here (then again.. I probably missed it). So I apologize in advance if I'm repeating common knowledge or something someone has already stated.

There are several sites that show how to convert File systems this is one. Just to save people some time i'll put it here.

1. Click Start, Run and type "cmd" in the space and click ok
2. With the Command Prompt open you can type "help convert" this shows info on how to convert the hard drive
3. "Convert C: /FS:NTFS" This will be the general command "C" will be whatever drive you are converting to NTFS. After you have that all typed out hit Enter. The Command Prompt window will tell you when it's
finished.

From what I understand Windows 95,98,and Me will not recognize NTFS. So this will only work on Windows XP. I suggest running an error check on your drive before you convert as well (you do that by clicking start, run,browse,My computer. Right click on your drive and select properties. click the tools pane . Click check now. check both boxes and run the check. This will save some time .. maybe a heart attack when the command prompt tell you to check the disk anyway.. it doesnt hurt anything either way. The conversion process doesn't harm anything on the drive at all (if you feel like you need to you could make a back up). There are programs that convert file systems as well but I havn't used the nor do I have them i dont suggest a program to do it . It's a lot of trouble to convert the file system back to FAT32 or FAT16 most likely will have to reinstall Windows if its an Internal drive. External I'm not sure.. then again.. I dont believe I'd ever want to.

Once again I apologize if this has been said before or is just common knowledge, as well as wasting everyone's time

Take Care
RedDragon

Joe88 · Post by **Joe88** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:56 am

This is really helpfull to me
my whole C: drive is FAT32
i had win 98 installed first

been wondering how to convert toi NTFS without reformating

reddragon_syndicate · Post by **reddragon_syndicate** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:00 am

Well heh I'm glad I could be of some help.