FAT32 to NTFS ???
 

Hi Guys

Ive just purchased a new computer and it has a 200 GB hard drive. Its running Windows XP, however the hard drive is formatted as FAT32.

Should it be NTFS? If so can i change it, without losing any data?

Thanks in advance

Tony

Well, it doesn't have to be NTFS. But NTFS is a more secure file system and should perform a little better on a drive that size.

I've never done this before but I know the old-school principle ..... not sure if it'll do it on XP with the same command.

Go to the command prompt and type convert c: /fs:ntfs

Hit [Enter] and see what it says. It should go off and reboot and then, before Windows loads, convert your file system to NTFS. This is likely to take a couple of hours or more.

There is a utility in the Start Menu for on WinXP for conerting to NTFS.

Thanks Guys

I'm i likely to lose any data?

jowl where abouts is this utility m8?

Thanks

Tony

Right click on My Computer - then MANAGE, then right click on the drive you want to convert. You will not lose anything as long as there are no interuptions. Might be useful to disconnect internet, then firewall, then ant-virus and screensavers.

er...dunno! on my new systems I setup all my drives as NTFS during the install.

On an older machine on which I originally had Fat32 partitions I found it some where in Accesories/System tools I think!

But just follow lightning101's suggestion!