Converting from FAT32 to NTFS

sleemie · 06-12-2003, 02:09 PM

How do you convert a 2000 system from FAT32 to NTFS without reinstalling the operating system or reformatting the hard drive?

**Fox** · 06-12-2003, 02:10 PM

I'm pretty sure there's a utility for it, but I'd wait for more posts on this topic since I seem to remember hearing about a fault in the program that does the conversion.

**johnwill** · 06-12-2003, 06:20 PM

I don't recommend the Microsoft CONVERT utility, because you end up with an NTFS volume that has 512 byte clusters, and performance really sucks! Either do a backup, format to NTFS, restore, or use Partition Magic for the conversion.

tcheavey · 06-13-2003, 01:03 AM

What? Just go to Start, run, cmd (enter, to start command line). type "convert :c (or your drive of choice) /FS:NTFS" , and hit enter. It will engage with a restart..the features will be there then that's what counts. :bandit:
Good luck...write back.

06-13-2003, 04:02 AM

That depends on how much space your willing to waste with those large clusters.

Why do you want to convert?

**johnwill** · 06-13-2003, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tcheavey
What? Just go to Start, run, cmd (enter, to start command line). type "convert :c (or your drive of choice) /FS:NTFS" , and hit enter. It will engage with a restart..the features will be there then that's what counts. :bandit:
Good luck...write back.

Please read my previous post, my point obviously escaped you!

Microsoft's CONVERT has a large bug that results in tiny 512 byte clusters that greatly increases the overhead of the filesystem, as well as causes massive fragmentation very quickly. Performance of the new NTFS filesystem using the "simple" method sucks, that's why I SPECIFICALLY recommended against it!:hit:

SigArms226 · 07-29-2003, 07:06 PM

What is the 'preferred' cluster size, and does partition magic suggest this for you?

Any issues with doing this switch on Win2000 vs. XP?

**johnwill** · 07-30-2003, 06:56 AM

The preferred cluster size for NTFS is 4kb, that's what you'll get if you format a clean partition with W2K or WXP. When you run Partition Magic, they end up using the CONVERT utility, then you can resize the clusters with PM to 4kb.

06-12-2003, 02:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
sleemie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 156 OS: Windows XP	Converting from FAT32 to NTFS How do you convert a 2000 system from FAT32 to NTFS without reinstalling the operating system or reformatting the hard drive?

06-13-2003, 01:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
tcheavey Mech-Tech Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Oakland/Berkley approx. Posts: 289 OS: Win 2K	What? Just go to Start, run, cmd (enter, to start command line). type "convert :c (or your drive of choice) /FS:NTFS" , and hit enter. It will engage with a restart..the features will be there then that's what counts. :bandit: Good luck...write back. __________________ The Redskins Lost. Go Black Knights!!!!

07-30-2003, 06:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,787 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	The preferred cluster size for NTFS is 4kb, that's what you'll get if you format a clean partition with W2K or WXP. When you run Partition Magic, they end up using the CONVERT utility, then you can resize the clusters with PM to 4kb. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

06-12-2003, 02:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	I'm pretty sure there's a utility for it, but I'd wait for more posts on this topic since I seem to remember hearing about a fault in the program that does the conversion.

06-12-2003, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,787 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I don't recommend the Microsoft CONVERT utility, because you end up with an NTFS volume that has 512 byte clusters, and performance really sucks! Either do a backup, format to NTFS, restore, or use Partition Magic for the conversion.

06-13-2003, 04:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
SPEEDO Guest Posts: n/a OS:	That depends on how much space your willing to waste with those large clusters. Why do you want to convert?

07-29-2003, 07:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
SigArms226 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1 OS: W98	What is the 'preferred' cluster size, and does partition magic suggest this for you? Any issues with doing this switch on Win2000 vs. XP?