Win Xp Upgrade - FAT to NTFS conv cluster size prob

[csaag]

I'm looking into upgrading from Win ME to Win XP.
I'm doing conversions of home tapes to DVD's and want to avoid the 4gb limitation on file size with the FAT system.

I've read that converting from FAT32 to NTFS during the Win XP upgrade process may give you 512kb clusters which degrade disk performance. According to this material, 4kb clusters are optimal. The only solution the material I read mentioned was to buy a 3rd party software product (this wasn't an ad for the product & was a year old).

Anybody have any more info on this? Can you select cluster size when running the XP upgrade disk upon doing the FAT to NTFS conversion?
Do you convert to NTFS as part of the XP upgrade process or is it done seperatly? Or if it can be done both ways thne which way would allow you to ensure a certain cluster size?
thanks.

[reboot]

Don't convert during upgrade. Convert to NTFS later, and you can specify 4k clusters. XP will upgrade to a FAT32 partition.
Even better would be to wipe the disk and do a fresh install.
Nothing worse than a questionable OS being upgraded. Odds are, half the software you currently have won't work with XP, and the other half of the problem is the Windows ME you're starting with.
As a tech, there's NO WAY I would upgrade ME.
Wipe it and start fresh.

[csaag]

Thanks for the reply.
How do I upgrade fresh versus upgrade over the current OS?
Does the upgrade process give me the choice?

What do I do to convert the disk with 4kb clusters after Xp is installed?
I assume it's some sort of command prompt - do I need to boot to a DOS prompt?

[northcat_8]

Install XP on the FAT32 drive. After it is installed then convert the drive to NTFS file system, if you are upgrading. If you are doing a fresh install then just have setup reformat your HD to NTFS then.

I used Partition Magic 7.0, worked like a charm and my drives are less fragmented and are far more stable and it even solved some problems that I was having with that drive.

I upgraded from winME and have had no problems. I know many say to not do it but I did a few years ago and still haven't had any problems.

[csaag]

Ok if I have this straight-
I backup up my data, music/video files/ downloaded shareware/freeware programs, downloaded drivers etc onto a CD.

Run the XP upgrade disk and have it reformat the disk as NTFS
(acccording to the info I read, doing a reformat should NOT give me the 512kb problem)

The XP upgrade will then do a clean install of XP.

After doing an online update for XP, I can then reinstall my programs/data
etc.

[edsmith77]

csaag
doing an "upgrade" to XP there are two options that have been overlooked.
One is to do just the OS upgrade. Which does work just fine, at least from my experiences. Problems are that you will keep the same file structure and sector sizes and most generally the app's will continue to work. Changing the file system after the upgrade is done via a supplied program called "convert.exe". It is painless and takes about 10-20 minutes. I have done this at least 6 times without any problems what so ever.
Two is to do a "fresh install." This will remove the old OS and give you the option of formatting the HDD. XP default is 4K sector sizes (OBTW do remember to pick NTFS). Of course this method requires you to reinstall all of your apps and data.

Lastly, as you mentioned it is always wise to do a backup of all important data, files, etc. before attempting any OS work. REMEMBER THAT MURPHY IS ALIVE AND WELL.

Ed.

[BobK]

> it is always wise to do a backup of all important data, files, etc. before attempting any OS work.

Actually it's a good idea to backup all important stuff even when you're not going to do any OS work.

[northcat_8]

Changing the file system after the upgrade is done......is painless and takes about 10-20 minutes.

IT'S TRUE...for once, something worked exactly like it was suppose to
No one was more shocked that I was when it went without a hitch.

[reboot]

Here's the process:
Backup what you need.
Boot to a floppy that contains fdisk and format tools (any win9x or ME floppy will do it, or get one from www.bootdisk.com)
Run fdisk, remove any/all partitions you choose.
Create a new partition(s), FAT32, Large disk support.
Boot to the XP CD, Install XP, DO NOT reformat NTFS.
Once XP is installed, activate as needed with MS, then convert to NTFS with 4k clusters by typing this at the command prompt:
CONVERT X: /FS:NTFS
Replace X with your drive letter.
The XP install should default to 4k clusters, even on FAT32.
It's MUCH faster to convert to NTFS later, than format to NTFS during the install.