Can't boot after converting to NTFS

Davidjh · 12-08-2004, 10:21 AM

I am using Windows 2000 Pro and recently converted from FAT32 to NTFS. The conversion appeared to be successful with no error messages. However, now the computer will not boot. When I install the drive in another computer as a secondary drive, all of the data is on the drive is accessible and it appears that the conversion was successful. Can anyone tell me how to make the drive bootable?

cjdavis7 · 12-08-2004, 10:47 AM

You might try checking the boot.ini file. On that second computer, open up the drive in question and then open the boot.ini file. It is a system file so you'll have to show "hidden files" and uncheck the "hide system files". Once you have it open check and see if you have something like this:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows 2000" /fastdetect

If you don't and instead you have this:

C:\="Windows 2000"

then change it to be like the first example above. That line is for the first partition of the first hard drive, so if your boot drive is not the primary/Master you may have to change it a bit.
Hope that works for you.

Chris

**johnwill** · 12-08-2004, 03:20 PM

Boot the 2K-CD and run the recovery console. You want to do a FIXBOOT and it should restore any missing/corrupted boot components.

12-08-2004, 10:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
Davidjh Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1 OS: 2000 Professional	Can't boot after converting to NTFS I am using Windows 2000 Pro and recently converted from FAT32 to NTFS. The conversion appeared to be successful with no error messages. However, now the computer will not boot. When I install the drive in another computer as a secondary drive, all of the data is on the drive is accessible and it appears that the conversion was successful. Can anyone tell me how to make the drive bootable?

12-08-2004, 03:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,832 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Boot the 2K-CD and run the recovery console. You want to do a FIXBOOT and it should restore any missing/corrupted boot components. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-08-2004, 10:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
cjdavis7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 4 OS: XP SP3	You might try checking the boot.ini file. On that second computer, open up the drive in question and then open the boot.ini file. It is a system file so you'll have to show "hidden files" and uncheck the "hide system files". Once you have it open check and see if you have something like this: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows 2000" /fastdetect If you don't and instead you have this: C:\="Windows 2000" then change it to be like the first example above. That line is for the first partition of the first hard drive, so if your boot drive is not the primary/Master you may have to change it a bit. Hope that works for you. Chris