[PDonahoe]

I have a new WD 250GB External HD, preformatted with FAT32. I'd like to convert it to NTFS. Some sources say I need to "realign the partition" before conversion, else I will end up with 512 byte clusters, rather than 4K clusters. Because the HD is new, with no data on it, is this really necessary? Can I skip this realignment issue and directly use the Win XP Convert tool?

 

[linderman]

hmmmmm I am not sure


but just in case it is; and it sounds reasonable too, I would back-up any data on the drive to another drive if possible then just plain reformat the drive using the 4k clusters the big clusters are very undesirable

 

[ceri sheeran]

Hi,

If you have no data on the drive, connect it to a computer running XP.

Using XP Admin Tools
Storage
Drive management

Delete the existing FAT32 partition and create a new NTFS partition layout.

If you have Partition Magic or Acronis Disk Director use this instead.


Free Partition Management tools Partition Logic and Ranish, I've not used either.

hth

Ceri

 

[linderman]

YES you will WANT to realign the drive

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/winpreinst/ntfs-preinstall.mspx




read this part:

Cluster Alignment for NTFS vs. FAT

 

[PDonahoe]

Joe, I read over your link, but I will admit I don't fully understand it. My read, which could be wrong, is that the new FAT32 partitioning forces the 4K cluster size is aligned correctly: "To maximize NTFS performance, Windows XP FORMAT and the new OFORMAT tool format a new file system as FAT or FAT32, ensuring that the data clusters are aligned on at least a 4K boundary and that the FAT32 cluster size is 4K or larger. "

It seems to me I should be able to delete the current FAT32 partition off the new external drive, have Win XP put on a new NTFS partititon and format it (as Ceri suggested).

What do you think?

 

[linderman]

My apoligizes for the confusion! ray:


it really depends on how and where the drive got formatted as Fat32

If Win XP or Win 2000 formatted the drive as Fat32 then my interpretation is you will be fine with the convert tool; which as you pointed out has "improved" to use the 4kb clusters


however; if the drive was not formatted with win xp or win 2000 then my "interpretation" is the drive may not have been set-up correctly and may not get converted efficiently

that my take ??????


why not give the convesion a whirl, then check the cluster sizes with a tool like ranish partition manager (free) and see what the cluster sizes become

if you dont like or dont get the small clusters then you can back-up your data and format from scratch

?????

 

[PDonahoe]

OK, I think we're together on this. The disk was pre-partitioned and pre-formatted by Western Digital, so I don't know what they did. I will give the conversion a try and see what happens.

Any preferences between using the convert tool vs. Win XP Disk Manager?

 

[linderman]

Win XP disk management will format the drive from scratch as NTFS (if you select that of course :laugh: ) and the 4kb cluster sizes
but you will lose all data on the drive with that approach; but if you can swallow that piece of news; than thats choice number 1 in the scheme of desirability!

the convert function is used to avoid losing all your data that may be on the drive? convert will change the file system from Fat32 to NTFS without data loss ????

your call doctor ?????? :wave:

 

[PDonahoe]

Thanks Joe,

There is no data on the drive; it is brand spanking new. So, I will do the Win XP Disk Management approach.

Thanks for the information; I always learn something from this forum.

As soon as I get some time in the middle of all this holiday rush, I will do this job and let you know how it all worked (probably after the first of the new year!).

 

[linderman]

well heII you lucked out, no data then there is no concern whatsoever for this topic


you do a format from with xp diskmangement and it will not be converting; but rather a brand new set-up


you have no concerns with that approach, let er rip :wave:

 

[PDonahoe]

Well, I feel pretty stupid about now. I think I got it! When I searched for help in 'converting' from FAT32 to NTFS, I got all this stuff about problems with cluster size. Since the drive was already formatted to FAT32, I wanted to 'convert' it to NTFS. I misled myself. So, I will just use the plain old Win XP Disk Management, and get myself back on track.

Thanks for the help and the mind re-set.

But I did learn something in the process ...

 

[linderman]

actually we both learned something! ray:


I totally overlooked the cluster size issue when thinking about using the file system convert, but thanks to the research of this matter while working on your question, we find it has been cured and addressed in the win xp and Win 2K operating systems.


thanks again for the thought provoking process!

 

[PDonahoe]

To close this thread: Used Disk Management; everything worked without a hitch. Thanks again for the help!