Convert FAT32 to NTFS

I want to convert my FAT32 files to NTFS but I'm apprehensive about the messages I receive when I use the "CONVERT C:/FS:NTFS" command. I am told that CONVERT cannot run because the volume is in use by another process but 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?) When I click NO, I get "Convert cannot gain exclusive access to the C: drive, so it cannot convert it now." This is followed by "Would you like to schedule it to be converted the next time the system restarts (Y/N)?" What should I do? I don't want to ***** up my computer but I would like to convert my FAT files!

 

check yes

check yes & reboot. the process will begin. windoze is in use so can not convert will files are running

 

Do you have access to Partition Magic?

It is debatable whether converting through XP is such a good idea. It will make a very small cluster size in the converted partition (512 B), slow disk access, and increase fragmentation rates. The degree of this is either great or not depending who you ask.

With PM, you can convert the drive first to FAT32 4k aligned and then to NTFS which will give you the desired cluster size of 4k.

 

Rancher,

Thanks for your advice. Everything worked out fine as you described!

 

Abraxas,

Your comments are appreciated. I got your message after I converted to NTFS. I do not have Partition Magic. Should I get it? Would it be useable and worthwhile now that I have done the conversion?

 

Since you're done, you may want to see how things work out. As I mentioned, some people claim a noticeable difference with the small clusters while others don't. It will depend greatly on what you do with your machine.

So, though PM has been an invaluable tool for me, it may not be worth the money to you.

 

That summarizes what people need to know. Thanks, Arie.

Is there a browsable list of available articles?

 

Thanks. I didn't look too hard, did I?