converting ntfs to FAT32

[zohar]

I have found that it is possible to convert NTFS to FAT32 using boom.zip utility which has to be downloaded, can you please get me its address.

[smartxtai]

what kind of hard drive do you have. i have a western digital and it automatically converts the hard drive to fat from NTFS when i format it, which i do a lot. i think you can do the same thing with the maxtor hard drive. just need to download the format utility from their websites.

[emcron]

I think he means converting fron ntfs to fat32 without formating.

[daveleau]

I did a search for that program and came up with a game and a hacking program. No conversion utility. This is the first instance I have heard of a conversion from NTFS to FAT. It is only possible with a reformat AFAIK.

Good luck
Dave

[edwelly]

Beemer you have it preety much right on the money. Oh and thanks for the Windows Start up Screen, wish me luck.
I am studing for my MCSE and I was under the impression that you could NOT convert NTFS to FAT32. Someone please clarify...
---erik

[smartxtai]

i am actually using fat32 for my win2000. i dont' see a difference in NTFS. so i converted back to fat32. anyways, my whole data would get erased somehow wit NTFS. no idea y. oh well.

[daveleau]

There is more security in NTFS partitions with minimal hdd space loss.

As for Beemer's post, it is pretty much dead on. If you are installing 2 OSes (doesn't sound like you are), then be sure to install your apps for each OS. If you run Photoshop in both OSes, install it twice! Will save lots of headaches.

Good luck
Dave

[jad1097]

Never heard of boom but this will do it. (http://www.powerquest.com/partitionmagic/)

[Tekkitan]

i recently converted a 45gb NTFS partition to FAT32 with PowerQuest PartitionMagic 6.0 and it worked great. Didnt lose any files or anything. I recommend Partition Magic

[Beemer]

NTFS is supposed to be faster and doesn't fragment as much. (Don't believe it when you read that it "doesn't" fragment. It does but no where near as much as the FAT32 file system.)

Cheers!

[Beemer]

Could I ask the reason why you are going to FAT32 from NTFS? It sounds like you might be experiencing file sharing issues. ( Icould be wrong of course. It did happen once)

If this is the case, you can keep the NTFS file system intact and still share files between the O/S's by creating a data drive in a FAT32 partition in which to store files and load programs. It's always better to keep your O/S(s) separate from your installed programs anyway.

Win98 = FAT32
WinY2K = NTFS
Programs and Data Drive = FAT32

Place each O/S on it's own partitioned drive.
eg:C:\ and D:\ . Create a third drive with programs installed and stored data.

Win98 can read/write FAT32 and FAT16. It cannot read or write NTFS file system. The NTFS file system will be invisable to Win98.
(There are programs out there that allow read capabilties from Win98 file system.

NTFS can read/write to FAT32 and FAT16 and NTFS partition.

Get fancy with creating other drives while your at it such as a swap drive and separate your data files from your programs this way.

This kind of a drive partitioning gives you an easy to back-up computer. You can easily format and reinstall an O/S without loosing all your programs and personal files doing it. You might loose a few programs that rely on the WINNT or the Windows folders for system files but you only have to detect which programs aren't functioning properly and reinstall the programs. (not many will have a problem)

(Am I rambling???)

Cheers!

[Beemer]

I hope someone checks out my work here. I'm new to the thoughts of NTFS conciderations.

Cheers!