2 Norton Ghost Questions....

[Naja]

1) If I use Ghost to Copy a drive image from HD (A) to HD (B)--the OS will be Upgradable, correct? (ME to XP)

2) The ME image will be FAT32, even though XP can operate from either format--will it be able to switch to NFTS during the upgrade or will the format have to remain FAT32 forever?

TIA

[ktkendall]

The Ghosted image on drive B will simply be an EXACT copy of A. Same format as A and you can do to it whatever you can do on the original but legally you can not run that copy on another PC.

[Naja]

Ok, but can it to switch from FAT32 to NTFS during the upgrade?

[ktkendall]

You would have to check the NG manual or look under the options. And it may depend upon which version of NG. I did one that I was able to ghost a win 95 HD and convert to FAT32 simultameously, so it may be possible. If not though you can ghost the drive, install it as boot drive and convert to NTFS in windows.

[morriswindgate]

Not using Ghost anymore so I am not familiar with the newer versions, but I really feel that it would be safer to convert the partition after it is loaded and checked than during the loading.

[Naja]

If not though you can ghost the drive, install it as boot drive and convert to NTFS in windows.

Ok, I think that answers my question, but would anybody care to confirm.

What I'm asking is this: I do NOT want/seek to change formats WHILE doing the ghosting.
AFTER I ghost and the OS etc, is on the new HD--THEN I can Upgrade the ME FAT32 to XP NTFS AND still have all of the OTHER programs, that were already on there, work correctly? Right?

Sorry for the Confusion!

[David_Jones]

I think you go:

1) Ghost HDD1

2) Clone to HDD2

3) Check ME is still working (?)

4) Upgrade to XP (keeping FAT32 for now)

5) Once XP is running, convert to NTFS

HTH,

David.

[Naja]

Ok. Go Ahead. Confuse me. I can take it. Don't hold back.

So, AFTER I get everything upgraded and operational THEN I can REformat to NTFS? Won't that erase everything I just put on it--REformatting?

[glc]

No, you use the CONVERT tool, it converts from FAT32 to NTFS nondestructively. I don't know if XP is the same, but in 2K it's done at a command prompt.

Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195]
(C) Copyright 1985-2000 Microsoft Corp.

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.

C:\>

[Naja]

Ok, Thanx, glc. I didn't even know there was a CONVERT tool! Pretty obvious, huh? lol

Anybody know if the commands/steps are the same with XP? I'm no good with DOS, so a simple road map would be great!

[glc]

If it's the same, and you want to convert the C drive, its convert c: /fs:ntfs at a command prompt.

At a C prompt, type convert /? like I did and it will show you the options and syntax.

The upgrade process from ME to XP should also offer you the conversion option but I wouldn't do it in case the upgrade goes sour, then you can't get back to FAT32 to run ME any more.

[Naja]

Ok, I'll print that out before I do it.


"and it will show you the options and syntax."

Ok, now are those options pretty self-explanatory?
I hate to ask, but you guys have an idea of how these things tend to go for me. lol

[glc]

What I posted above is a straight copy of my command prompt window.

[Naja]

Ok, Thanx glc. I don't have the ghost yet, but I'll give this a whirl when I get it

Thanx Again!