Fat32 98se

[LarryC]

Can I convert to Fat32 with 98se upgrade over old 95 without losing anything, I either read or someone told me I would lose the operating system (98se) if i did this, thanks for the help

[TwoRails]

Hi LarryC,

I've never had a problem... I'm assuming you mean that you install Win98.2 first, the convert, right?

TwoRails

[Jason Padgett]

You should be able to convert it without losing the data. As a matter of fact, I believe 98 has a FAT32 converter installed under Programs - Accessories - System Tools. When you install 98 make sure you select this option to install it.

[LarryC]

Yes i already have the 98upgrade installed and I'm aware of the FAT32 converter, just jittery I guess, I've been struggling with a second hardrive on my system but more on that later. Thanks

[LarryC]

The converter gives me a notice that FAT32 is not compatible with Norton System Works, I have both the Virus and firewall turned off. If I uninstall Norton will it convert then as I can reinstall Norton.

[GaryRouth]

Hi Larry

Seems like your plan of uninstalling SystemWorks, then running the FAT32 converter in the System Tools folder, then reinstalling SystemWorks should be OK. According to Symantec, all versions of SystemWorks are compatible with FAT32, starting with version 1.0 [It's just the Win98SE converter that's cranky]
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Some other things to watch for:
- the converter can't convert drives with a bad cluster
- the converter is incompatible with EzBios versions 9.03 or earlier (EzBios is a drive-overlay program to enable systems with older motherboards to use large hard drives) - to resolve this, you need a newer version of EzBios. If you have a Bios with a pre-1994 date, it wouldn't support "LBA" (Logical Block Addressing) and would need a drive overlay program, or a PCI IDE add-in card to use a hard drive partition over 2.1 GB.
- the converter won't convert a drive smaller than 512mb.
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There are some other scary error messages that you can get while trying the conversion, but most of them just require an extra step, and then you're OK.

Best of luck - post again if anything goes crazy
. . . Gary

[LarryC]

It worked! Unistalled Norton Works, Personal Firewall, converted and reinstalled. I had CDE on a 6gig HD, gained almost 200mb on C alone. I would like to cleaninstalll my Win98 on my new 80G and move the programs and data over, what would be the best way to do this if you have any suggestions.

[GaryRouth]

What date is the Bios of your motherboard from? It might have some trouble seeing an 80gb drive (might/might not). You could check for Bios updates if the Bios doesn't see the full drive. You can temporarily plug it in with the IDE detection set to AUTO, just to see if the Bios recognizes the drive (if you have a free Secondary connector, that's the easiest). If it's no go for the motherboard (fulll size not seen, no Bios updates available), there's the option of an add-on PCI IDE controller card - probably cost about $10 - $15 USD (It would be able to "see" the full drive).

Is that CDE the Linux/Unix Common Desktop Environment (or something like that - I can't remember what the "K" in KDE stands for)? If so, sounds like you'll be dual booting, with Linux on the 6gb and Windows on the 80gb? If you don't have a ton of Windows programs, perhaps the cleanest/easiest way is to backup what data you wish to keep(from the 6gb), let Win98 format the new (80gb) drive & install just the OS, run all the patches and security updates, then reinstall your programs. Then you'd restore saved data to wherever it needs to go. And modify either Lilo or Grub so the bootloader knows where Windows is.

Oh, and scan the backups for viruses before you restore them to the new drive.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[LarryC]

Sorry I wasn't more clear on this, the 6G was partitioned in 2G portions because the original OS was windows95 and the 98SE was an upgrade. I have the 80G on a promise controller card and have it configured as a Scsi drive or cable select and it's recognized in the Bios and it's full potential.
My intent is to put the OS in a primary partition and data in a logical logical partition, I would like to install XP but alas my processor is only 266MH and this is not fast enough for it.

[GaryRouth]

Did I get it right that Linux will be on the 6gb drive, and Windows on the 80gb? If so, either Lilo or Grub will handle the multi-booting, and you'll need to change the Windows boot location over to the 80gb drive.

Most Linux distros have a partition utility that will allow you to delete the unused partitions (once you've moved the Windows data off to the 80gb) and extend the current one to the fill the drive. Usually it's a special edition of Partition Magic.

When it's time to format the 80gb with FAT32, you might want to use the software that came with the drive to do it. Win98's fdisk requires an update for drives over 64gb: http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;263044

Then clean install Win98, reinstall the programs, and restore your data. Should run a little quicker on the 80gb with the Promise controller. Those 80gb drives are fun to have: suddenly photo/music/video projects are no problem.

Time to pick up the little folks from school, so I'll sign off before I'm too late to get a Friday chocolate chip cookie from the PTA.

. . . Gary