some questions about FAT32 and NTFS

[ITlover]

Hi ,

I need some clarification on FAT32 and NTFS and I hope you will not mind because these types of questions as been asked several times before.

I have successfully converted my F: into NTFS by the Convert Command but I wanted to know that is their any way that I can change this partition back to FAT32without losing any data inside it?

Can I convert NTFS partition into FAT32 by going into My Comp.--->Manage----> Disk Managment?

In disk managment, I can format the F: (Logical Drive) by right clicking on it but that will delete all the data inside this drive.

Will partition magic do some magic for me by converting it back to FAT32 without deleting data?

Is it true that without the convert command ,if we try to change the partition from FAT32 to NTFS then it will delete the data inside the partition?

[Panama Red]

The FAT32 to NTFS is a one-way conversion. Once you do it, there is no way to convert back. Convert is the key word. Convert means doing it while keeping your data intact. You can Reformat the partiton with Partition Magic or other 3rd party drive software but Reformatting will destroy all resident data.

[ITlover]

Thanks for this info, where will I find partition magic on internet? I had a software partition magic in my system but when ever I click its setup file to run it, I get the following messege:

This program is used internally by PackageFrom the Web. It should not be executed directly.


Why am I geting this error messege? Does this messege mean that I should run this application from its perticular website?

Regards,

[ITlover]

Another question, If I have WinXP then can I convert the partition from FAT32 to NTFS through Disk Management?

How can I do that?

[Panama Red]

Acronis Disk Director (http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/) or Partition Magic (http://www.viosoftware.com/Powerquest/PartitionMagic+8.0.html?osCsid=f3487ab0185fbd59ac6702c9e7387867) are both good programs but will cost you some money. You might use google to shop around for the best price.

The Conversion from Fat32 to NTFS can only be done thru the Convert command that you used to convert your F: drive. Can not be done in Disk Management.

Here's (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307881) the MS How To.

Not sure what the issues are with your PM install. The full PM disk can be installed as a program or run as a boot disk. Just be sure to make the back up disks when you are prompted to do so.

[glc]

Supposedly, Partition Magic can convert NTFS back to FAT32, but in the real world it has about a 50% success rate. Why do you want to convert it back anyway?

[ITlover]

I am just in a learning process so I just want to play around . I donot have any actual purpose of doing these things.

But as far as I know that we can even convert or change partition from FAT32 to NTFS without using the convert command if we want to lose data in that partition. For that what do we have to do, do we have to simply format the partition before converting it .
Now after formating the partition how do we convert the file system from FAT32 to NTFS?

Please note I am in a learning process, these are part of my practicals.

I would deeply appreciate if you guys continue to guide me.

Regards,

[glc]

To convert a formatted partition from FAT32 to NTFS, you use the Convert command or 3rd party software such as Partition Magic.

C:\>convert /?
Converts FAT volumes to NTFS.

CONVERT volume /FS:NTFS [/V]

volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
mount point, or volume name.
/FS:NTFS Specifies that the volume to be converted to NTFS.
/V Specifies that Convert should be run in verbose mode.

[ITlover]

what is verbos mode?