Windows 2000 4GB Limit

[DarrellS]

I had a duel boot system built so I could use Windows 2000 Professional for video capture and editing since I had heard that there was no file size limit.
I went to produce a 10GB video file today and found out that since the technician that installed the dual boot system, installed Windows 2000 as FAT32 instead of NTFS, that it is no better than the Windows 98SE that I already have.
Is there any way to fix this 4GB limit problem without totally destroying my dual boot system. It cost me alot of time and money to have this system built in the first place.
I have both operating systems on a 30GB Hard Drive and an 80GB Drive for media files.
Any ideas?

[Bob W]

I think you could just format the 80GB drive as NTFS.

[Forum Troll]

You'd have to partition one of you drives, with one part NTFS for 2000, and the other as FAT32 for 9X. Partition Magic might be able to do this, but I'm not sure as I've never used it, there may be some other partitioning software out there that could do it too, but it might be tricky.

[budz]

Format the 80gb hard drive as NTFS. Follow below from microsoft's site:

To convert a volume to NTFS from the command prompt
1.
Open Command Prompt. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.

2.
In the command prompt window, type: convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs


For example, typing convert D: /fs:ntfs would format drive D: with the ntfs format. You can convert FAT or FAT32 volumes to NTFS with this command.

Important Once you convert a drive or partition to NTFS, you cannot simply convert it back to FAT or FAT32. You will need to reformat the drive or partition which will erase all data, including programs and personal files, on the partition

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/convertfat.mspx

[deckard8]

Right before doing this backup your system. I never had any problems but just to be on the safe side.

Boot into your Windows 2000.
To convert a volume to NTFS from the command prompt
Open the Command Prompt window.
In the command prompt window, type
convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs

For example, typing convert D: /fs:ntfs would format drive D: with the ntfs format.

Notes

To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.
You can convert FAT or FAT32 volumes to NTFS with this command.

[Sillyname]

Can't you convert from FAT32 to NTFS without having to format anything?

[Capmaster]

Can't you convert from FAT32 to NTFS without having to format anything?

Yes. Open a DOS window and type "Convert /?" That'll give you the switch options to get the correct syntax, which I believe is "convert c: /fs:NTFS" Then go to RUN and enter the command.

[DarrellS]

Can't you convert from FAT32 to NTFS without having to format anything?

Yes. Open a DOS window and type "Convert /?" That'll give you the switch options to get the correct syntax, which I believe is "convert c: /fs:NTFS" Then go to RUN and enter the command.

With this option, I won't lose any data since I won't have to format the hard drive?

The reason I had a professional install the dual boot system was because when I tried to install 2000, I kept getting a NTLDR error and it ended up copying 2000 onto both hard drives and erasing all the data I had on my 80GB drive.

Definately don't want to do something like that again. Not sure why the guy didn't make it NTSF in the 1st place since I told him I wanted 2000 installed for a video capture and edit machine.

[p_l]

Can't you convert from FAT32 to NTFS without having to format anything?

Yes. Open a DOS window and type "Convert /?" That'll give you the switch options to get the correct syntax, which I believe is "convert c: /fs:NTFS" Then go to RUN and enter the command.

This is what I did to convert the drive I capture to to NTFS, and I didn't lose any data. It works.

One thing you may want to take into consideration, though, is that I believe your Win98 boot won't be able to access that drive anymore, since I don't think Win98 sees NTFS volumes. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Oh, and since the 80GB drive that you want to convert is probably not your c: drive, but rather your d: (or maybe something else), be sure to substitute d: for c: in the above operation.

[DarrellS]

Well, it didn't work. I thought it did until I tried to make the movie and got the 4GB limit error again. Checked properties for D: and it was still FAT32.
Tried using the command prompt three or four more times but it's not working.

First I get this message...

D:\Documents and Settings\DarrellS\convert D: /fs:ntfs
The type of the file system is FAT32.
Convert cannot convert it now. Would you like to
schedule it to be converted the next time the system restarts <Y/N>?

And when I say <Y> it says it will start the conversion on restart. When I restart, it looks like it is converting and the a bunch of text pops up real fast and I can't read it but if I look at the bottom of the page when it happens, I can see "failed to convert"

Can I use Windows 98SE prompt on C:\ to convert D:\ since D:\WINNT would not be in use or do I need to be in safe mode or restart in DOS?

BTW, my 80 GB drive is E:\ and my DVD combo drive is F:\

Does the D:\ have to have a label name before it can be converted? Right now it doesn't.

[cd090580]

So convert only the E drive to NTFS.

It's a storage drive so normally it won't complain about files in use or something like that.

Simple type convert e: /fs:NTFS.

I've done that with my hard drive D (it's only a storage drive) and it work without problem.

[p_l]

BTW, my 80 GB drive is E:\

OK, so convert your E: drive, of course, as cd090580 says: convert e: /fs:NTFS

[Schmendrick]

@DarrellS:

Obviously you can only do the conversion of your data partition into NTFS-file system if you have booted into Windows 2000!! Win98 or DOS won't work.

By the way there are utilities available like NTFS4DOS to use NTFS even under DOS and there is also a similar utility availabe for Win98/ME-systems. Just Google for it.

CU

Schmendrick

[draganong]

Make sure you have enough free space on the drive targeted to be converted ! 15% I believe is a minimum.

[DarrellS]

So convert only the E drive to NTFS.

It's a storage drive so normally it won't complain about files in use or something like that.

Simple type convert e: /fs:NTFS.

I've done that with my hard drive D (it's only a storage drive) and it work without problem.

That is not acceptable since Windows 98 needs to read the drive also and Windows 98 cannot read NTFS.

I am starting to think that it is not possible with a dual boot system.

According to everything that I read last night, the error message that I receive is normal and by selecting Yes at the command prompt, it should convert on restart.

It also said that if it does not work from W2000, to try from another operating system but W98 cannot find command and the DOS Prompt says that "convert D: /fs:ntfs" is not a valid command.

[Schmendrick]

Following is a Link to NTFS for Windows which is a freeware tool:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfswin98.shtml

CU
Schmendrick

[glockjs]

try using the tools that came with the actual hdd. or if you dont have them go to the companys website and download em. probably the easiest and best way.

[andkiich]

Welcome to Microsofts world - UPGRADE or DIE!!!

[Roderz]

What is the layout of your drivs/partitions?

D:\Documents and Settings\DarrellS\convert D: /fs:ntfs

my 80 GB drive is E:\ and my DVD combo drive is F:\

Is C win98 (primary partition of 30G) and d win2000 (secondarry partition of 30G) by any chance?
That might be a problem (never used the convert command) could be because its not on the primary partition

I'd just ditch 98 anyway, been using 2000 since errr 2000 and it just works

[lordsmurf]

You can't have everything. Pick ONE OS, and then pick ONE file system. Easy as that.

[ckdexterhn1]

You can't have everything. Pick ONE OS, and then pick ONE file system.

I would agree with that. When I switched to Windows 2000, I was still able to run everything I had under Windows 98, even programs that needed to open a DOS box. If you are going to be doing a lot of video captures, go with Windows 2000 or XP and don't look back!

[sacajaweeda]

I can't believe anybody still actually tolerates the Win9x OS.

[DarrellS]

Following is a Link to NTFS for Windows which is a freeware tool:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfswin98.shtml

CU
Schmendrick

Thanks for the link, Schmendrick.

Since I didn't see any responses, I went ahead and messed up and converted E:\ which is now not accessable by Windows 98SE.

I have two options now, I could use the tool you mention to access the drive or Format and install Windows 2000 on the 80GB HD and use it for nothing but video and somehow erase Windows 2000 off of the 30GB HD and use it for everything else (even though it was recommended not to have my video programs and operating system on the same drive as my video storage). 30GB is plenty big enough for my graphics programs and files. As much as I switch between both media, it makes it a big hassle though.

[DarrellS]

[quote="Roderz"]What is the layout of your drivs/partitions?

D:\Documents and Settings\DarrellS\convert D: /fs:ntfs

my 80 GB drive is E:\ and my DVD combo drive is F:\

Is C win98 (primary partition of 30G) and d win2000 (secondarry partition of 30G) by any chance?
That might be a problem (never used the convert command) could be because its not on the primary partition

That's exactly how it is. I did some more reading and it says a dual boot system must be FAT32 since the 98 boot sector can't read NTFS, I assume.

I'd just ditch 98 anyway, been using 2000 since errr 2000 and it just works

Well, to be honest, it was the worst $180 (or whatever it was, $300 after install) that I spent on this computer. Like I said, installing it the first time detroyed GBites of files on another drive and I've had to reinstall it twice after having it professionally installed because a failed program install corrupted the operating system twice. Windows 98 is way superior and easier to use, IMO. You have all kinds of system tools in 98 that aren't in 2000 and the only advantage, IMO is the no GB limit. Oh yeah, my printer and scanner are not Windows 2000 compatible.

If Windows 98SE didn't have the 4GB limit, I would never upgrade to another operating system. Even with the memory issues.

[DarrellS]

You can't have everything. Pick ONE OS, and then pick ONE file system. Easy as that.

Sure I can. I just gotta figure out how to do it.

[trock]

I don't know about 2000 but in XP you don't have to go to a command prompt/DOS window. All you have to do is select your E drive in My Computer, choose Format and select NTFS. Maybe it's the same in 2000?

trock

[smilinpete]

I have two Computers that I set up with a dual boot and one ntfs partition. One runs Win 2000 and 98se. The other XP pro and 98se. Both setups worked fine with the original ntfs partitions until I added a drive to each and formatted the new drives from within Windows as additional ntfs partitions. Now Windows Explorer no longer works in Windows 98 on both computers and the computers won't shut down normally from 98. I have to power off. I can only access files using a command line. But things are fine when booted to Windows 2000 and XP. I suppose reinstalling 98 will cure the problem but I just wanted to let people know what can happen. If anyone is aware of a fix short of reinstalling 98 it would be helpful to know.

[budz]

To DarrellS: I don't understand the reason for having a dual boot system. I too had windows 98se but the 4 gb limitation forced me to use windows 2000 pro which I have no regrets. Converting the 80gb hd to NTFS would have been the easiest solution.

[Alan69]

If Windows 98SE didn't have the 4GB limit, I would never upgrade to another operating system. Even with the memory issues.

Hmm you know, if my car could fly, I'd never want an airplane. But my car just can't fly! Lol had to put that in. The 4GB limit wasn't much of a limitation at the time, it isn't Microsoft's fault that 98 is inadequate with current hardware. While that particular limitation could have been avoided, not many were working with files anywhere near that size at the time. Win2K and XP are also likely to be fairly inadequate for a computer in 2010, even if some people are used to it and still using it.

Bet those faulty program installs that crepped things out were under 98 too. Not that something can't do similar under 2K, just less likely. Even had a WinME computer fix itself after about 20 reboots and taking out faulty parts after a bad install, won't likely see that happen with 98. And yes, there are a few things without direct interfaces that had them in 98. But it's so fast to Google registry edits for about anything it's hard to have major complaints. I think your preference is mainly inertia since you know where everything is already. 2K or XP have been quite superior to 98 in my experience, and that's the assessment I've seen most prevalent on the net.

But main reason I'm replying is this: Stop spending money on 'support' and ask here you'll likely get better results, competency level is reasonably high on this site. For that kind of money you should have bought low cost 120 or 200 GB drives not still have 80 and 30, and should have bought 2 seperate OS drives and a seperate PCI IDE controller card if needed to keep things on different channels from your DVD writer, and have a smoother system to deal with, with the OS drives seperate.. And always move your data off the OS drive and then unplug your data drives when doing an OS install. Usually no problems for most people but you just don't give it access to your data during OS install, the experience you had happens now and then and is easily enough avoided. Especially if you had that $180 or $320 worth of additional hard drive space.. Hindsight is usually 20/20, but that's a precaution I take even without having had problems, there's just too much going on at install to be giving it access to data that it doesn't really need to touch until after everything is up and running ok. Everything is always at some risk anyway though, the only reasonable guarantee is backups.

Even now I'd say write off what you've spent, and go get the CompUSA 60 GB drive for $30 and get an IDE card if needed for another IDE channel to deal with 3 drives and DVD etc. Just so much easier when problems on one OS don't tend to affect the other OS's drive. Thinking about picking up another of the 60 gigs myself just to have an extra OS drive on hand.

Alan

[budz]

Alan wrote:

Even now I'd say write off what you've spent, and go get the CompUSA 60 GB drive for $30

Don't wanna burst your bubble but those Compusa 60gb hds are all sold out already.