fat32 to ntsc without data loss

[lordhutt]

Ok, I bought a WD 1TB external to do some archiving with secondary backups to dvd's.

Anyway, after getting about 500-600 GB of data copied to this this I discovered it is formatted in fat32 so I can't copy any files larger than 4 gig.
Is there any reason why they would have their drives formatted like that...why would anyone use fat32 anymore???
I just assumed it would be NTSC since its been around for years.

So, can I switch formats safely without any threat of data loss?

Thanks.

[jman98]

External drives are sometimes connected to DVD players that have USB slots. I've never heard of a DVD player that supported anything but FAT32 through USB. This is 100% because of Microsoft's licensing requirements for NTFS, which is what you mean instead of the very unfortunate typo of "NTSC". NTSC is a video standard, not a file system. Yes, you have learned the hard way about the downside of FAT32. There is a tool under Windows 2000 and XP to convert disk drives from FAT32 to NTFS, but while it should, in theory, not cause data loss, neither I nor Microsoft can give you a 100% guarantee about this. Although low, the probability of something going wrong and corrupting or losing data is non-zero.

[lordhutt]

Hey I did type NTSC...so many acronyms!!

The externals USB drives do support NTFS though as I have a few others that I did convert. I just forgot when I got this one.

I do have secondary backups of everything on other drives and discs but I don't want to take the chance and have to go through the hassle of getting everything back.

I will probably acquire a second 1tb drive...make it NTFS ....copy mine to it....format mine to NTFS....copy back....pain in the ass!!!

Thanks for the help anyway but the more I think about it I don't want to take chances of screwing it up.
Just want to get it done right so I can stick it in the fire safe and forget about it!

[Noahtuck]

I have used this method to convert many drives to NTFS with NO loss of any data.

Q: Is it possible to convert a FAT32 Hard Drive to NTFS without losing all data on the
drive? I like to change from FAT32 to NTFS, my operating system is Windows XP PRO,
how can I do that? Without the lost of my programs?

A: Standard Windows utility that is called CONVERT serves this purpose

Just go to the Command Prompt and execute the command:

C:\> CONVERT C: /fs:ntfs

Where C: is a name of the drive you want to convert.

After machine re-boot conversion process will start and you'll
have your FAT32 converted to NTFS without of data loss.

When you restart it should run and convert the drive you chose, although i have never used a USB external drive but i would imagine it should work fine as long as it's plugged in.

[Prot]

Ditto here. Forgot to check in beginning how the WD 1TB drive was formatted and found out when I tried to transfer a 4+ gig file over. I did convert to NTFS with no troubles, then continued with file transfers.

[lordhutt]

Ditto here. Forgot to check in beginning how the WD 1TB drive was formatted and found out when I tried to transfer a 4+ gig file over. I did convert to NTFS with no troubles, then continued with file transfers.

You converted with files already on the drive?
Which method did you use?

[SCDVD]

Here is the procedure.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881

[Noahtuck]

Here is the procedure.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881

Hmmm.... that look's amazingly similar to what i posted 8)

[lordhutt]

Yeah, I'm just scared to do it!!!!

**** it....gonna do it....will post my results.


EDIT>>>>>>>>
Well, that didn't work.

Got this:

This drive is dirty and cannot be converted. You will need to clear the dirty bit on this drive by running CHKDSK /F or allowing AUTOCHK to run on it the next time you reboot.
The conversion failed.

[TJohns]

As it says, the disk is "dirty" (maybe not ejected properly before disconnecting ... so possible errors in FAT32 structure), so it wants you to do a CHKDSK first before converting the drive.

So, fire up a Command Prompt and type (replacing D: with your USB drive letter)

CHKDSK D: /F

After that's done, give it another go!

[lordhutt]

Got her!!

Converted and working fine with no data loss.

Thanks all.

[Noahtuck]

Cool Beans!!!!

I know, the first time i tried it i was nervous as hell!!!!!

Tried it on a drive that i backed up to another HDD and it worked, but then the first couple of drives after that i was still nervous... with my luck i'd be the one person it would wipe everything out on