23. How Do I Convert My FAT32 File System To
NTFS
Windows XP supports two types of files system,
FAT32 and NTFS. Of the two, the NTFS is by far the
more secure. Unfortunately, your operating system
may have been installed using the FAT32 files system
and now, after some considerable thought, you may
decide that you really want an NTFS file system.
This doesn't present a problem to Windows XP
although you should be aware of a few important
points.
On Converting you may loose files. You are warned
about this when you begin the conversion. Another
point is, do not covert if you have a multi-boot
system containing Windows 98, 98 or Me. If you do
have these operating systems and you decide to
convert you will be unable to start the previous
versions of Windows.
If you need to multi boot with these operating
systems and you still want an NTFS file system you
would be advised to completely reinstall Windows XP
and, at the format stage, select that the partition
be formatted in NTFS.
- Click the Start Button.
- Next click All programs,
followed by Accessories.
- In the Accessories drop
down menu select Command Prompt.
- At the Command Prompt type: Vol C:
- You should now see the following
information:
Volume in drive C: is XP Home (or
whichever version of XP you have).
Volume Serial Number is FF47-80EB
(obviously yours will not be the same, but you get
the general idea).
- Make a note of the Volume in drive
details and the Volume serial number.
- At the Command Prompt type:
convert c: /fs:ntfs (Replace the c:
with whatever drive letter you are converting).
- 9/ Press Enter.
- When asked for the Volume Label for
drive C: type XP Home (or XP Pro
depending upon your current operating system).
- Press Enter.
- Because you are converting the C: drive
(this contains the operating system), a message
will appear informing you that the drive cannot
be converted. You will then be given the option
of scheduling a conversion the next time you
boot your machine.
- Schedule the conversion
and reboot.
- After rebooting the conversion should
proceed as normal.