Re: converting to NTFS



"Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote:

> Steve
>
> A reasonable amount of free space is required for this task (can't remember
> just how much), and you should ALWAYS backup (save) important data before
> starting a major change.. the unexpected is always around the corner,
> waiting patiently..
>
> --
> Mike Hall
> MVP - Windows Shell/user
>
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
>
>
>
> "SteveMS" <SteveMS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:9ED85B78-0124-47F3-B1A5-FAAB657E33D9@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >I am keen to do this to my laptop, switch to NTFS. If I do this, will I
> >lose
> > any information?
> >
> > SteveMS
> >
> > "Jim Macklin" wrote:
> >
> >> You must open a command line window first. START/Run type
> >> cmd
> >>
> >> Then you follow the procedures listed...
> >> Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
> >> (C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
> >>
> >> C:\Documents and Settings\>convert /?
> >> Converts FAT volumes to NTFS.
> >>
> >> CONVERT volume /FS:NTFS [/V] [/CvtArea:filename]
> >> [/NoSecurity] [/X]
> >>
> >> volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a
> >> colon),
> >> mount point, or volume name.
> >> /FS:NTFS Specifies that the volume is to be converted
> >> to NTFS.
> >> /V Specifies that Convert should be run in
> >> verbose mode.
> >> /CvtArea:filename
> >> Specifies a contiguous file in the root
> >> directory to be
> >> the place holder for NTFS system files.
> >> /NoSecurity Specifies the converted files and directories
> >> security
> >> settings to be accessible by everyone.
> >> /X Forces the volume to dismount first if
> >> necessary.
> >> All opened handles to the volume would then be
> >> invalid.
> >>
> >> C:\Documents and Settings\>
> >>
> >> You should perform some maintenance procedures before doing
> >> the conversion; do a disk clean up, run check disk to check
> >> the file system and the disk surface. Although the convert
> >> procedure usually completes without any data loss, some
> >> settings may change and if there is a serious problem,
> >> having done a backup of data and settings will save your
> >> files. Make sure your power supply is from the wall is
> >> stable, don't do the conversion when the power is flickering
> >> or there are storms nearby. Using a high capacity UPS is a
> >> good idea.
> >>
> >> Help and Support on the START menu has more, just search for
> >> convert...
> >> here is one page of 32 available.
> >> Convert
> >> Converts FAT and FAT32 volumes to NTFS.
> >>
> >> Syntax
> >> convert [volume] /fs:ntfs [/v] [/cvtarea:FileName]
> >> [/nosecurity] [/x]
> >>
> >> Parameters
> >> volume
> >> Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon), mount
> >> point, or volume name to convert to NTFS.
> >> /fs:ntfs
> >> Required. Converts the volume to NTFS.
> >> /v
> >> Specifies verbose mode, that is, all messages will be
> >> displayed during conversion.
> >> /cvtarea:FileName
> >> For advanced users only. Specifies that the Master File
> >> Table (MFT) and other NTFS metadata files are written to an
> >> existing, contiguous placeholder file. This file must be in
> >> the root directory of the file system to be converted. Use
> >> of the /CVTAREA parameter can result in a less fragmented
> >> file system after conversion. For best results, the size of
> >> this file should be 1 KB multiplied by the number of files
> >> and directories in the file system, however, the convert
> >> utility accepts files of any size.
> >> For more information about using the /cvtarea parameter,
> >> see "File Systems" at the Microsoft Windows XP Resource Kits
> >> Web site.(http://www.microsoft.com/)
> >>
> >> Important
> >>
> >> a.. You must create the placeholder file using the
> >> fsutil file createnew command prior to running convert.
> >> Convert does not create this file for you. Convert
> >> overwrites this file with NTFS metadata. After conversion,
> >> any unused space in this file is freed. For more information
> >> about the fsutil file command, see Related Topics.
> >> /nosecurity
> >> Specifies that the converted files and directory security
> >> settings are accessible by everyone.
> >> /x
> >> Dismounts the volume, if necessary, before it is
> >> converted. Any open handles to the volume will no longer be
> >> valid.
> >> Remarks
> >> a.. You must specify that the drive should be converted
> >> when the computer is restarted. Otherwise, you cannot
> >> convert the current drive.
> >> b.. If convert cannot lock the drive (for example, the
> >> system volume or the current drive), it offers to convert
> >> the drive the next time the computer restarts.
> >> c.. The location of the MFT is different on volumes that
> >> have been converted from previous version of NTFS, so volume
> >> performance might not be as good on volumes converted from
> >> Windows NT.
> >> d.. Volumes converted from FAT to NTFS lack some
> >> performance benefits compared to volumes initially formatted
> >> with NTFS. On converted volumes, the MFT might become
> >> fragmented. In addition, on converted boot volumes, NTFS
> >> permissions are not applied after the volume is converted.
> >> Examples
> >> To convert the volume on drive E to NTFS and display all
> >> messages, type:
> >>
> >> convert e: /fs:ntfs /v
> >>
> >> Related Topics
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
> >> But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
> >>
> >>
> >> "simplefella" <simplefella@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
> >> in message
> >> news:8292CB8E-9D5B-47CE-8EDB-C078B77550E0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> | My XP file system is FAT32. To convert everything tells
> >> me to type either
> >> | help convert or just convert on command line. I get the
> >> response that
> >> | neither command is recognised. Where do I go from here?
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
> My question seems to be generating a lot of interest but no information that works for me. I have read everything from Help and Support and have read other bits on web and knowledge base. Fact is exactly as I stated it - plus fact that convert.exe does not appear when I do a search. Could someone send me the convert file rather than telling me what it should do! My laptop - which I am trying to convert - came preloaded by Tiny. (It will not help to be told I should not have bought from Tiny)
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: converting to NTFS
    ... You must open a command line window first. ... Converts FAT volumes to NTFS. ... /FS:NTFS Specifies that the volume is to be converted ... don't do the conversion when the power is flickering ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Windows XP file system convert utility
    ... This change ensures that converted NTFS volumes receive the same ... To prevent the MFT from becoming fragmented during the conversion to ... ensuring that the MFT occupies a contiguous space on the hard disk. ... There are several disadvantages of file system conversion. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • RE: Win XP File systems
    ... ConvertConverts FAT and FAT32 volumes to NTFS. ... Specifies the drive letter, mount point, or volume ... system after conversion. ... KB multiplied by the number of files and directories in the file system, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: converting to NTFS
    ... >I am keen to do this to my laptop, switch to NTFS. ... >> /NoSecurity Specifies the converted files and directories ... don't do the conversion when the power is flickering ... >> the root directory of the file system to be converted. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Reformatting a hard drive using convert.exe
    ... I should've changed it to NTFS as soon as I got it, ... outage right in the middle of the conversion? ... The key point here is to make sure you have a backup of all data on the ... steal another USB hard drive and backup to it; ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)