Resolved Can't convert FAT32 to NTFS

Hi all,

I'm trying to convert my friends computer from FAT32 to NTFS. I followed directions in the CMD window: convert C: /fs:NTFS.

However, I get: Enter current volume label for C:

OK, so now what? Where is the "volume label "?

 

The Volume Label is just what your 'C: Drive' is called;

Open my Computer
After C:// what does it say as the 'name' of you drive? e.g. 'local disk' or 'Windows 7'

This is just a safety measure.

regards,
masterroming

 

Did you try it with a small c instead of a C? Don't know if that would make any difference or not. I have done several and alway used convert c: /fs:NTFS

 

@masterroming,

It doesn't say anything, just C(C

@MrBill,

Yes, I tried it both ways uppercase and lowercase C. Also, I right-clicked on C: and in the Properties box it says: Local Disk.

So, should it be: convert C: local disk /fs:NTFS? Are the <spaces> correct?

I get this when I try:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>convert c: /fs:ntfs
The type of the file system is FAT32.
Enter current volume label for drive C: local disk
An incorrect volume label was entered for this drive.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>cd c:
C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>C:

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>C:\
'C:\' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>admin
'admin' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>cd admin
The system cannot find the path specified.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>cd administrator
The system cannot find the path specified.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>

 

Try 'Local Disk' (capitalisation)
and have you tried leaving it blank?

 

Are you sure it isn't NTFS already?

 

@masterroming,

What you see is exactly what I tried. I will capitalizing Local Disk and see.

@MrBill,

Yes, it says FAT32 in the command window.

 

This is mt latest attempt:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>convert c(c /fs:ntfs
Invalid drive specification.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>convert c:Local Disk /fs:ntfs
Invalid Parameter - Disk

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>convert cc) /fs:ntfs
Invalid drive specification.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>convert c: /fs:ntfs
The type of the file system is FAT32.
Enter current volume label for drive C: Local Disk
An incorrect volume label was entered for this drive.

C:\Documents and Settings\bobnew>convert C: /fs:ntfs
The type of the file system is FAT32.
Enter current volume label for drive C: C
Convert cannot run because the volume is in use by another
process. Convert may run if this volume is dismounted first.
ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID.
Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

What the heck are the last two sentences???

 

Have you rebooted the machine? Do so and then see if it is Fat or NTFS. If Fat, try to do it to NTFS agian.

 

While still in the CMD window ...

To see what the current Volume Label is, type vol and press [Enter].

To change the current Volume Label, type label and press [Enter].​

 

What has me most concerned are the lines: "ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID.
Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N) "

I have no idea as to what this means??? Will I have to remount it? I have no experience with this or how to do it. Also, I need to convert his D: drive to NTFS.

And, this is a friends computer, not mine. If something went wonky with my computer then I wouldn't worry — I'd just plug-in a backup drive. But if the partition table (or anything) is munged, his original drive is on the verge of dead, and we're out of luck.

Also, I have a Partition Magic Rescue Disk that has "Convert to NTFS" as one of the options. Could I do "it" with the PM disk?

 

Update

I realized that the error: "Convert cannot run because the volume is in use by another process." was probably ZoneAlarm and Avast running. I shut them down, reran the convert, hit "Y" and it went through a disk check twice. It then said "conversion complete "!!!

I checked all the programs on D: (and C and all appeared OK.

Feeling brave, I decided to do it with the D drive. This time it went quickly, no chkdsk or anything!

Again, I checked all the programs, etc., on both drives and all appears to be OK!

I also did a "Properties" check and it now says "File System: NTFS" on both drives.

I won't mark this as Resolved until I run it a few days. Thanks to all for your help!!!

 

What is on the "D" drive? Probably the original way the PC was out of the box.

 

1) I gotta get experience. Now I know to turn off all programs first.
2) My friend has a 20GB HDD and he's out of room. With a FAT32 file system I can't go beyond 32GB (from all I've read about FAT32). So, that's why the conversion: so I can clone the drive to one of the larger drives. I'll have to get a SATA to IDE converter, though; his MOBO is IDE only.

 

@MrBill,

No. I built his computer. It was my error in the first place not checking that it was NTFS.

 

But that has nothing to do with the new drive. It should be NTFS. Usually when you format a drive, you can do this.

 

As I said, it was my goof that it was FAT32 and not NTFS when I formatted it. (the original drive; then installed the OS)

The "new" drive is my old, unused, Hitachi 40GB drive. As soon as a decent deal comes up on another HDD, I'm letting him use the 40GB'er. Hence the need to convert to NTFS to accommodate a new larger drive.