G1: Two Questions

1. I don't want the FAT32, and want to convert to NTFS. There's a converter that comes on the desktop.

a. Did anyone have any problems using this utility?
b. Will I lose all my data during the conversion? I don't think so but wanted to double check; I'll back up anyway.

2. I don't really like my 40gb data drive on D: Should I repart the drive before or after doing the NTFS conversion, or does it matter? Or are there drive size limitations and must I keep the 40gb data drive?

Thanks.

 

converting can take some time

you can repartition your drive before or after.

Repartitioning might take a loooong time.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/convertfat.mspx

You could always use partition magic to handle your partitions.

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=sp&pvid=pm80

 

This article http://cquirke.mvps.org/ntfs.htm has some recommendations when and when not to use NTFS which I thought was helpful...

What about Vista? I want to install Vista soon and am wondering if Vista prefers one file system over the other.

 

I think everything is mostly NTFS now... I'm not sure if Vista would run on FAT32. If you don't want to use the utility, you can convert to NTFS via Command prompt. Partition magic is a good program, and I'd use that to change the size of your D drive.

 

I used the utility and had no problems with it.

I may repartition when I switch over to Vista though. Didn't feel like it was worth the effort for XP Media Center.

 

I just wanted to say that I converted both of my drives today and it went incredibly fast. Less than 10 minutes, and probably more like 5 mins - I got up from the machine and walked away because everyone was saying how long it would take. I was happy when I came back in a few mins and it was done.

Upon closer inspection, the D: drive is 60gb on the G1s instead of 40, like I thought. Heck I don't even know what I'll use that space for unless I want to use it as an organizing area (organizing downloads before writing off to CD/DVD, etc.) I think that's ok, but in that case I definitely don't need 20 or even 30 gb of space, let alone 60gb. So I'm looking at reparting here soon before I get too far along here...

 

It was annouced Vista uses only NTFS, if you try to install on Fat32 it will ask you to format in NTFS, as i know if you accept it formats it for you =)

 

As many suggest repartitioning takes a lot of time.

Firstly use Partition Magic, it is a very simple program to use and works wonders.

Also keep your hard drives are clear as possible, last time I did repartitioning and i left 40GB of data on my hard drive it took over 40+ minutes to make the changes.
So don't install anything onto your drives untill all the repartitioning is complete. Then double check everything, then install everything you want.