Fat16 to 32 converter

[BC]

I was looking for a fat16 to 32 converter. I think I remember something about win98 have this. I am on a 95 b machine And I am not upgrading to 98. Are there any programs out that will do this? Can I just get this program off of the 98 disk?
Thanks,
BC

[Pantion]

Partition Magic can change FAT16 to FAT32 and vice versa (don't try it... I tried to make a FAT32 to FAT16 got an error half tyhe way rebooted and my laptop totally blocked with half the disk in FAT16 and FAT32).

I think there are free programs that also convert in case you don't want to upgrade to Win98.

[This message has been edited by Pantion (edited 12-13-1999).]

[BC]

Well thats no good. Thanks for the heads up though. That is what I was going to try. I heard about partition magic but I am still leary about the whole thing but I have no room. It is either this or dare I say

compression

[seti]

Maybe someone could send you the win98 drive converter program. I have noooooo idea if that would work or not, but it's an idea. I did a quick search for a little free file system converter and didn't come up with anything. Partion Magic is the only 3rd party company that I know of that can. Can win95 even read fat32? I would think that it can, but then why wouldn't that be included in the service pack? I guess to make people think they need to upgrade or something.

[BC]

I have the win98 disks both the 1st one and SE, but I was also wondering if you could use this program on win95b?
Thanks

[seti]

From what I just read....fat32's official support began in win95 OSR2. I don't know how that relates to 95b.

[BC]

B is OSR2. But will the converter in 98 work to do this operation on win95?

[Pantion]

Windows 95 (Original and Win95a version)doesn't support HDD drives bigger than 2 gigs... then Win 95 OSR 2.x (Win 95b and up) was thrown with FAT32 stuff.

Win98 and Win98SE have the FAT converter... I never tried to run it on Win95 box... but is better to upgrade if you want to get it along with other stuff that Win98 has... but if stability and speed better fits you then stay with win95.

[UncaDanno]

Nope. Canna do the FAT32 thing w/ Win98 and try to get Win95 to see it, laddie. The two versions of FAT32 are incompatible. I remember seeing warnings to that effect somewhere in the MS KB.

[BC]

I don't have the room with win95 right now how is 98 which is bigger going to help? Sure I can use fat32 but...
All I want is to free up at least 100mb.

[BC]

I read this on MS site:

If you convert your hard drive to FAT32 using Drive Converter, you can no longer use dual boot to run earlier versions of Windows (Windows 95 [Version 4.00.950], Windows NT 3.x, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 3.x). However, if you are on a network, earlier versions of Windows can still gain access to your FAT32 hard drive through the network.

So am I right in assuming that 95b is ok?
BC

[Pantion]

Yeap Win95b can read/write, create, delete, etc. FAT32 partitions. Win95 (the first version) and Win95a (the original version with SP1) can't.

I found this site: http://www.users.intercom.com/~ranish/part/

Check it out and see if it can convert FAT16 to FAT32. Just be carefull! If you aren't sure then leave it that way, unless you have a backup of everything!

[shaggy2dope]

hey BC i got a fat16-32 converter email me if u want it

[shaggy2dope]

hey BC i got a fat16-32 converter email me if u want it dmx22dmx@aol.com

[BC]

Is it any good? I don't want to risk killing everything on my HD

[seti]

I know the word "logic" doesn't really apply since we're talking about windows...but; Since the fat32 file system was introduced with 95b, wouldn't it just make sense that it includes a converter utility??? I'm sure you've searched and such....I've never made that upgrade myself. Have you searched windows help?? It's got to be there somewhere (the converter) or M$ sucks....more.

[BC]

Yes 95b has a way to convert your hard drive to fat32, but you have to be willing to reformat. From my knowledge I beleive the first OS that M$ produced to convert exesting fat16 to fat32 was 98.

[bobcat]

I have used PM to convert back and forth from F16 to F32 and F32 to F16 ... not a problem.

[BC]

PM I assume you mean partion magic not this other ranish or whatever.

[deep_sky]

if you are trying to free up space, and you do not want to upgrade to 98, why don't you buy another hd, even a small one, so that you can have some more space.....

[seti]

I still sugest just pulling the converter off a win98 machine, and giveing that a go.

Or:

Here's my understanding of your situation....small or stuffed HD on a machine that's running 95. You need more disk space, because you can't even install win98, which you have.

Sujestion:
Uninstall **** that you have disks for....do a custom install of 98, not loading the tons of **** that comes with it..... convert to fat32, load your **** back up. Then if you have any real problems with running 98 over 95...go with 98 lite or something.
http://www.98lite.net/

[This message has been edited by seti (edited 12-15-1999).]

[BC]

Ok the reason i don't want to do anything to this pc that will kill/destroy or corupt any files is simple. It has a database for a lot of salesmen and there records. Reason why I can't get another HD for it is that it is a Laptop. I know I know.. It is not the server. It is however the manager's. So I have gotten rid of all the **** he has installed already like golf.. home builder.. I got rid of pretty much all i can even a lot of the temp dir stuff. And made his temp internet dir miniscule.
Thanks,
'BC'

[BC]

The reason I don't get another external HD is the cost. And I don't want to upgrade to 98 is because I get a lot of errors with our network w/ 98 as well as the database program I don't want to go through the hassle of reinstalling it if it were to die.

[bobcat]

PM = Partition Magic

[Rookie]

I seem to recall there being a fat16 to 32 converter offered for download at the ms site. I'll have to look up the links though.
Partition Magic and Partition It will change back and forth without problems- just read the readme/help files.
If you format and reinstall (which you should do regularly anyhow) when you fdisk there will be a screen that says *your disk is larger than blah, blah...do you want to enabel large disk support...* choose yes and you will get fat 32. This option is free.
I'm not sure about the Ms converter for 95b, that was news to me about the 98 one not being compatable.
Partition Magic 5 is out now, so you might could be able to find PM 4 cheap if you shop around. I paid $40 for mine onsale.
HTH, Rookie

[BC]

yes I know how to reformat and convert at that point. I am supporting a lot of pc's here and don't have the time to format and reinstall them. I do on mine however. keeps me clean.