Best, safest way to convert to NTFS

[jeffw_00]

Hi - I have some XPHome (SP3) machines that still have FAT-32 partitions, some as big as 100GB. I'd like to move them to NTFS, but am afraid of breaking what's not broken. Still, tools and SW expect NTFS today. Is there a 0-risk tool that will do the conversion? Does it take hours?any/all thoughts welcomethanks!/j

[Frank Golden]

Hi - I have some XPHome (SP3) machines that still have FAT-32 partitions, some as big as 100GB. I'd like to move them to NTFS, but am afraid of breaking what's not broken. Still, tools and SW expect NTFS today. Is there a 0-risk tool that will do the conversion? Does it take hours?any/all thoughts welcomethanks!/j

I think there is a command line tool to perform this duty from within XP.http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.phpWhen it comes to computers I don't think zero risk applies. LOL.I think this method above is low risk but certainly not zero risk. Edited March 27, 2010 by Frank Golden

[goretsky]

Hello,I would suggest backing up any critical data just to be safe and then running the Convert program.Regards,Aryeh Goretsky

[striker]

I would suggest to search Scot's blog/newsletter: I remember Scot did a thorough review of the possibilities a few years ago, among them what to do and what not to do: if you select the wrong approach, you'll end up with wrong cluster sizes.

[jeffw_00]

Actually, the link from Frank Golden mentions the cluster size issue, and suggests using BootitNG to fix it. Perhaps I can just use BootitNG for the entire process.....thanks/j

[rbdietz]

At one time or another I've used Partition Magic, Partition Commander, BootIt NG or Windows XP's built-in utility to convert from FAT/FAT32 to NTFS. Never with a data loss and no need to restore from a backup utility, but I always held my breath.Depending on the size of the partition, the conversion process takes some number of minutes. If it's a multi-gigabyte partition it could take and hour and some minutes. If the machine requires external power; is not on an adequate UPS (can run the machine long enough for the entire process to finish); and there is a power failure ...Be careful. Good luck.

[jeffw_00]

So tell me this - how likely is it that it will -appear- to work, but things are corrupt (i.e., 3 months later I try to open a rarely-used file and it's broken). Do you see much of that? Or does success typically mean success?/j

[jeffw_00]

thx!