Slackmaster2K
Gone
I think he was joking with you... 
P
Polaris20
Active member
Slackmaster2K said:I think he was joking with you...
Yeah I think so too, I caught that after I read it a second time. I am too lazy to edit the post. hahaha
trogdor
New member
okay I converted my D: drive to NTFS without a hitch at command prompt while xp was running....
which obviously i can't do to C: because xp is installed on it. However, when I boot to dos and try convert c: /fs:ntfs i get a 'invalid command or file name error'
how can i convert C: to ntfs?
which obviously i can't do to C: because xp is installed on it. However, when I boot to dos and try convert c: /fs:ntfs i get a 'invalid command or file name error'
how can i convert C: to ntfs?
Slackmaster2K
Gone
What do you mean when you "boot to dos"...are you running a dual boot?
Slackmaster 2000
Slackmaster 2000
trogdor
New member
no i just formatted a floppy to a ms-dos boot disk.
is there a way in xp to just exit to dos?
would i then be able to convert c: to ntfs? i'm assuming that since i'm using the c drive to run the OS it cant convert everything while xp is running
is there a way in xp to just exit to dos?
would i then be able to convert c: to ntfs? i'm assuming that since i'm using the c drive to run the OS it cant convert everything while xp is running
Slackmaster2K
Gone
Never ever boot from a dos disk and mess around with XP.
All NT operating systems have a command shell program called cmd.exe ... it'll look just like a dos window. So, click Start->Run and enter "cmd" .
From that shell, do:
convert c: /FS:NTFS
It will tell you that it can't convert the file system while it's in use, and ask you if you want the conversion to take place when the system restarts. Say yes, and then restart the computer.
Slackmaster 2000
All NT operating systems have a command shell program called cmd.exe ... it'll look just like a dos window. So, click Start->Run and enter "cmd" .
From that shell, do:
convert c: /FS:NTFS
It will tell you that it can't convert the file system while it's in use, and ask you if you want the conversion to take place when the system restarts. Say yes, and then restart the computer.
Slackmaster 2000
D
darnold
New member
slackmaster - sorry i guess i didnt explain that well. in a brief easy to understand explaination of what happened, my c: drive was NTFS and my D: drive (recording drive) was FAT32. DOS does not recognize NTFS partitions so it made my D: drive C:. So when i thought i was formatting my wind2k drive i was actually formatting my recording drive.
just wanted him and everyone to know that it will do this.
but yah, the easiest way is to just keep dos away from winxp at all. you dont need it.
danny
just wanted him and everyone to know that it will do this.
but yah, the easiest way is to just keep dos away from winxp at all. you dont need it.
danny
Slackmaster2K
Gone
Oooooh....ouch! 
T
Timanator
New member
darnold said:
You can use Disk Manager to change the drive letters easily once your back in Windows XP.
F
Fusion2
New member
R
RWhite
Well-known member
I realize I'm posting after the fire has been put out, so to speak, but it sounds like there is still some confusion floating about. So let me try to confuse you further...
Yes, Windows 98 boot disks (or the "Startup Disk") cannot read NTFS disks. There is a small driver file you can download for free that allows bot disks (or Win98 volumes) to READ NTFS disks. You can buy the comercial version, which does both read and write, for some substancial cash. I have placed the link for it up here within the last few months, its called NTFS DOS. If you do a search you can find it, I don't have the link in front of me right now.
Speaking of searching, if you do a search on NTFS vs FAT32 you will find a LOT of posts here on the subject! While everyone has an oppinion, I'll try to sum it up here:
1) In THEROY, Fat32 offers some performance advantages over NTFS. In practice, the advantage is so small you would never notice it.
2) NTFS does offer some safety advanatages over Fat32. It is less likely to become corrupted, especially with a large drive. If it DOES become corrupted it is harder to fix, however. But from a safety standpoint, NTFS is better.
3) As was said, Windows XP will not format a Fat32 partition bigger than 32 gig. But it works fine with pre-existing Fat32 partitions larger than this (see below)
3) The best reason to to use Fat32 is if you are going to have a dual-boot (Win98 & XP for example) system. If you are not going to do this, I agree with Slack - use NTFS. He already told you how to convert. Keep in mind that the conversion is a one-way process - you can't go back from NTFS to FAT32 unless you use a third-party program.
Just as a counter point to the above, let me say that I have been running two systems with large Fat32 drives for some time with no problems. One is my recording PC, limited to Win98SE by drivers issues (no XP drivers for my sound card). It has 40, 80, and 120 gig drives in it with no issues. The other is my use-every-day Windows XP system, which has 120 and 80 gig drives. The 120 gig system drive is Fat32 - it was originally a 40 gig Fat32 drive that I "Ghosted" to a newer 120 drive, and I have never gotton arround to converting it. No problems yet (knock on wood)
Yes, Windows 98 boot disks (or the "Startup Disk") cannot read NTFS disks. There is a small driver file you can download for free that allows bot disks (or Win98 volumes) to READ NTFS disks. You can buy the comercial version, which does both read and write, for some substancial cash. I have placed the link for it up here within the last few months, its called NTFS DOS. If you do a search you can find it, I don't have the link in front of me right now.
Speaking of searching, if you do a search on NTFS vs FAT32 you will find a LOT of posts here on the subject! While everyone has an oppinion, I'll try to sum it up here:
1) In THEROY, Fat32 offers some performance advantages over NTFS. In practice, the advantage is so small you would never notice it.
2) NTFS does offer some safety advanatages over Fat32. It is less likely to become corrupted, especially with a large drive. If it DOES become corrupted it is harder to fix, however. But from a safety standpoint, NTFS is better.
3) As was said, Windows XP will not format a Fat32 partition bigger than 32 gig. But it works fine with pre-existing Fat32 partitions larger than this (see below)
3) The best reason to to use Fat32 is if you are going to have a dual-boot (Win98 & XP for example) system. If you are not going to do this, I agree with Slack - use NTFS. He already told you how to convert. Keep in mind that the conversion is a one-way process - you can't go back from NTFS to FAT32 unless you use a third-party program.
Just as a counter point to the above, let me say that I have been running two systems with large Fat32 drives for some time with no problems. One is my recording PC, limited to Win98SE by drivers issues (no XP drivers for my sound card). It has 40, 80, and 120 gig drives in it with no issues. The other is my use-every-day Windows XP system, which has 120 and 80 gig drives. The 120 gig system drive is Fat32 - it was originally a 40 gig Fat32 drive that I "Ghosted" to a newer 120 drive, and I have never gotton arround to converting it. No problems yet (knock on wood)