Acer Aspire 5633 - what issues converting FAT32 to NTFS?

Just got an Acer 5633WMLi and want to convert the existing partitions from FAT32 to NTFS. I've done the standard backup of the whole system on 2 DVD's but want to retain the ability to do a system restore from these DVD's - is this still possible if I convert from FAT32 to NTFS? I was going to use the "convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs" method, if this has any bearing on matters.

 

Converting will cause you to loose the D2D recovery method for reinstalling XP with no disks (Disk 2 Disk) so I suggest going and downloading the free copy of Acronis True Image 7 and backing up your ENTIRE partition table before you procede any further with converions.

The only other backup method you have is the DVD's if you decide to go to NTFS, and in reality it might even be better to backup the partition table with Acronis, reinstall XP from scratch using NTFS, and using that instead. The reason being is that the cluster size in windows will be 4k instead of 512b which yeilds better operating system performance (not to mention you aren't bogged down by slow and extranious crap that comes with oem installs).

--ssx--

 

SSX, thanks for the info. I'd love to install XP MCE from scratch but like everyone else on here my book didn't come with an original MCE CD. I did manage to locate and download a copy of 'Windows XP 5 in 1' which appears to have every XP version on it, including tablet, but I'm not 100% sure it's an unmodified version of MCE or whether it's been tampered with. I might give this a go. The one thing I do like is the ability to adjust the CPU speed and brightness etc, I'm assuming that this is the ePower Management facility??

One question, if I format and start from scratch with an install of XP MCE with NTFS if I ever wanted to go back to the original state it's in now (i know, why would I?) but do the backup DVD's I've made still allow this?

 

Actually, in my experience, D2D backup was not affected by converting to NTFS using the command-line. I have done this a couple of times. However, you might run into a situation where using the 'convert' command might result in 512 byte clusters, which would slow your system down considerably. This usually happens when there is already data on the drive. I believe Partition Magic can convert to NTFS with 4kb clusters on a drive with existing data. Also, keep in mind that if you use D2D or DVD backup to restore, it will change the C: partition back to FAT32, and will leave the D: drive as NTFS.

 

Can anybody answer this question please,I am not shure if this is posible also???

 

If you use a

Acer Backup DVD via e-recovery
NO, you'll end up with ONLY two partitions, C: and D:. AND STILL WITH THE ACER BLOATWARE!

Self-Made Partition Backup DVD via Acronis
YES, you are practically reinstalling the laptop partition to factory default status, three partitions, C:, D: and PQSERVICE. BUT STILL WITH THE BLOATWARE!

Clean Install using WinXP MCE
YES / NO, depending how you mess with the partition settings. But hey, No bloatware!

 

5 in 1 Windows XP? Make sure you virus scan it. Personally I wouldn't use these discs as they're usually Corporate/VLK versions which require Corporate/VLK keys. The CD-Key at the bottom of your laptop is an OEM key that will ONLY work with an OEM windows MCE

Alternatively, if you qualify for Vista Express Upgrade.
Use that instead as Windows XP MCE is soon going the dodo way when Vista comes out. (as M$ never bothers 'fully supporting' old operating systems, shame, the good old 2000 when it was lush)

 

So after reading this thread and many others about converting the FAT32 drive to NTFS I decided to do so because I work with video files over 4GB.

I used the convert command and even though the drive was empty the cluster size was indeed 512. So I fire up Partition Magic 8 based on many suggestions in these forums. I must say I'm pretty disappointed with this software.

Using the Change cluster size command (twice) did absolutely nothing. OK, what if I resize the partition using PM8? Again, nothing. It just looks like it doesn't execute any commands.

Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? So far, Partition Magic doesn't seem to live up to all the hype I've read here.