how to change file system

adbp1 · 25 Feb 2008 at 22:36

i have my 500 gb aaks at het moment set at fat 32 but it cant take files bigger than 4gb which getting annoying, i have over 300gb full so dont want to loose any data.
anyway i can change to ntfs without loosing or transfering?

smckay · 25 Feb 2008 at 22:57

Standard Windows utility that is called CONVERT serves this purpose

Just go to the Command Prompt and execute the command:

C:\> CONVERT C: /fs:ntfs

Where C: is a name of the drive you want to convert.

After machine re-boot conversion process will start and you'll have your FAT32 converted to NTFS without of data loss.

adbp1 · 26 Feb 2008 at 10:38

ok tried that with no joy for some reason my pc wont let me, either im just typing it all wrong or vista being annoying !!
ive been told to use acronis, is this any good and will i loose any data

rpstewart · 26 Feb 2008 at 10:49

What error(s) are you getting trying to run convert.exe?

Acronis Disk Director will do it but you'll need to pay for it. Data loss is always a possibilty with this sort of operation but you should have up to date backups so it's not that big of a deal.

Cosimo · 26 Feb 2008 at 11:28

adbp1 said:
ok tried that with no joy for some reason my pc wont let me, either im just typing it all wrong or vista being annoying !!
ive been told to use acronis, is this any good and will i loose any data

You must do this as administrator, at the command prompt, right click 'run as administrator' and then enter the commands.

The process will probably require a reboot to start as system files are in use when you issue the command.

Swordfish · 26 Feb 2008 at 11:43

grab a screenshot of the error you get, when it wont let you. Post it here so we can see.

Swordfish · 26 Feb 2008 at 11:44

smckay said:
Standard Windows utility that is called CONVERT serves this purpose

Just go to the Command Prompt and execute the command:

C:\> CONVERT C: /fs:ntfs

Where C: is a name of the drive you want to convert.

After machine re-boot conversion process will start and you'll have your FAT32 converted to NTFS without of data loss.

Just in case....

The "C:\>" is representing the commnad prompt. You dont type this.

adbp1 · 26 Feb 2008 at 14:56

ok will try again at home and not at work and take screen shot.
oh and how do you back up your back up!!?, i was thinking to buy another 500gb aaks maybe wait then swap everything then.