fat32 questions

i recieved my w3j and it came with 2 fat32 partitions...i converted them both with the desktop icon that came with my computer to NTFS then i reformatted the computer to create just 1 partition...but now when i check it...it is FAT32...and i read up on "cluster" or w.e with hd's when converted to NTFS...if i converted the first 2 partitions to NTFS then reformatted and they are back to FAT32 will i still encounter the cluster problem??? or am i back to normal now??? how can i check?

 

Did you delete the two partions when you were installing windows? If you didn't do that they would still be fat32. Otherwise if you deleted the fat32 drives and created the NTFS drives I am not sure why it would continue to say Fat32.
Tim

 

Try not to delete the partitions, just only convert the fromat from fat32 to ntfs. Original setting from Asus only have 2 fat32 partitions, the c drive cannot be deleteed under the Windows, but the 2nd partition is able to do so.
You may consider use the command prompt(start--->run--->type "cmd") to type "convert c: /fs:ntfs", after doing this, then restart it to check again.
Cheers

 

wat i exactly did was first i converted the 2 partions to NTFS...then i took the recovery CD and there was an option on it to jus make 1 partition instead of 2...then it went through that process did what i had to do and everything and now its saying FAT32 i dont mind ... i found out how to check cluster size but mine for some reason says (in comand prompt suppose to say 4,000 byes in each allocation unit) but mine says... 32.760 bytes in each allocation unit...ummmmmm wats the deal with that? is that good or bad lol or am i in a safe place to convert back to NTFS THE RIGHT WAY this time and get the 4K thing...???

im goin to report exactly wat i see when i go into comand prompt and do ... chkdsk c: .....

 

2 bits of info I picked up previously on these forums that may help you:

1 - The CD that came with your computer is a "recovery" disc only. What that means is, it will reload your operating system pretty much the same way you received it from the factory. Most manufacturers default with FAT32 file system so that's what you'll get, even after a reformat with the recovery disc.

2 - As far as NTFS cluster size, especially when converting from FAT, see the ton of info on this subject posted HERE. I used the option of making a bootable CD with BootNG and I obtained the 4K cluster size that is considered optimal, without having to reformat my drive.

 

You are right, Windows default to 4096 bytes for allocation unit size, but we have the option to choose 2048, 1024 and 512 bytes as well. Whatever you choose the size of allocation unit, it will not have any effect for converting from fat32 to ntfs. It is still safe either way to use in command prompot or NTFS converter, after doing this, just restart the mahcine and check the format of hard drive.
Cheers

 

so what ur saying is that right now im in the safe place to obtain the 4k cluster size at this time even tho i converted to NTFS then used recovery CD and now its back to FAT32??? because i understand everything ur sayin and i kno its safe to convert i just want the 4k cluster size and not the that 512 byte stuff......

im jus wondering in my situation can i still obtain the 4k cluster size properly???

 

Definitely, FAT32 is a default format after usinga recovery CD to recovery your Windows. After you have a Windows recovery, you can convert the format again from FAT32 by command prompt or NTFS Converter.
"If you use the Convert utility to convert a volume from FAT to NTFS, Windows always uses a 512-byte cluster size. FAT structures are aligned on 512-byte boundaries; a larger cluster size does not allow conversion."----this statement from Microsoft.
Please read this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314878/
Cheers

 

so in order to convert my FAT32 to NTFS ... i NEED to have 512-byte ??? im sorry im alittle slow in this im just making sure i have everything because im reading up on people following this link: http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm
and that converted the FAT to NTFS with 4k cluster...

 

now im reading up on by converting the partition to NTFS...it somehow messed with my windows activation....is that true??? will i need to worry about that if i convert my HD's?

NEW: ive checked my cluster size on my laptop and yea its 32 ...wats up with that???? is that good or bad???? should i convert it to NTFS but follow that links instructions first??? wat should i do ... i thought i would see a cluster of 4k or 512 possibly....

 

ok, probably, i am giving you an example to explain.
For using a command prompt to convert from fat32 to ntfs, it only default to 512KB.
If your hard drive have 2nd partition, you have different size to choose when you format the drive. You convert it by following step:
My computer---->right click the 2nd partiton---->Format---->Choose"NTFS" in File system---->Choose allocation unit size(different size for 512,1024,2048 and 4096).
Actually, if you choose either 512KB or 4096KB, it would not give you a trouble for the system performance. 4096KB cluster take a little bit much space in the hard drive, but it will be faster to run the defragmentation under NTFS than FAT32.
Cheers

 

i have only 1 partition... a C: drive with 92 GB free....now wat im sayin is that my HD right now...is FAT32 and has 32KB clutter...wat do u think i should do...u think i should do that whole converting thing to 4K then NTFS or leave it the way it is....or should i follow YOUR STEPS and choose the allocation size to 4096 and convert to NTFS..is that safe too or is the other way in the link better?

 

Look, this issue has been discussed many times on the forum, at least by me several times during the last few days. If you look e.g., at my last 20 posts you will surely find your answer. In a nutshell:

1. Recovery disks REFORMAT the affected partition(s) to FAT32. That is, a new filesystem is installed. If you converted to NTFS before that or not - it's a nil issue, the prior filesystem does not exist anymore.

2. If you convert the system partition directly to NTFS, you will get 512bytes clusters.

3. To avoid this and get the (supposedly) optimal cluster size of 4KB, use the guide in the link marked "HERE" above.

 

ok so make along story short right now im in a safe state to get the 4k cluster and convert to NTFS without any complication because i used the recovery cd to make my laptop go back to the factory state (hence fat32 HD)

 

I think an easier answer would be that the recovery cd is DESTRUCTIVE and totally DESTROYS EVERYTHING on your hard drive and puts it back how it was originally, hence FAT32. Think of the next apocalypse and how it will cleanse the earth of humans and put it back into its natural state before it was corrupted by the sinful hands of man.

 

hahaha thank for the help guys now im ready to do what i was waiting to do...thanks again really appreciate it

 

Not really. You can use the option "recover to first partition only" and then only the first partition is passed through the clensing fire of redemption and comes out repented.

 

Silverwolf0 and E.B.E.: Very funny and informative. You folks definitely know your stuff. I had someone ask me if the cluster size could be changed AFTER a convert from FAT32 to NTFS. Short answer, no, unless a third party prog like partition magic was used. Anyhow, I came across this info that very concisely explains why 4kb clusters are better for performance:

512 byte clusters ==> Increases fragmenation, reduces wasted disk space. Slows NTFS' overall speed due to file system overhead.

4kb or greater clusters ==> Reduces fragmentation, increases wasted disk space. Increases NTFS' overall speed due to reducded file system overhead.

Some pros and cons both ways. Me likes 4kb. May all our souls be spared from unnecessary apocalyptic redemption processes!