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    External Harddrive File System Conversion

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by potentv, Nov 14, 2008.

  1. potentv

    potentv Notebook Evangelist

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    Hello Lads,

    I have this external 250GB WD Harddrive and I want to make ISO copies of all my games to store on it but it is currently on FAT32 File System. I cannot make ISOs of more than 4GB on the FAT32 system and for this reason I want to convert it to NTFS. However I already have a lot of information on the drive, more space than on my current laptop so I want to know how dangerous it is to convert a drive that has a lot of information on it because I REALLY need that data and cant afford to lose any of it...

    Many thanks lads!
     
    potentv, Nov 14, 2008
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  2. Hirohata

    Hirohata GBF Danchou

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    Converting a drive is really easy but will take a while due to the size and being external. It seems your only problem is finding some space to temporary store your data whilst the drive is being reformatted.
     
    Hirohata, Nov 14, 2008
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  3. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    In CMD => convert drive letter: /fs:ntfs
     
    Andy, Nov 14, 2008
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  4. potentv

    potentv Notebook Evangelist

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    Can I convert the drive without copying my files to another drive without risk?
    I am fairly hesitant, I suppose I could just wait till my new laptop arrives but I am not sure when it will be released anymore, latest update is mid next week so that + shipping time. Is a long time to wait...
     
    potentv, Nov 14, 2008
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  5. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Here's the MS Article.
     
    Andy, Nov 14, 2008
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  6. potentv

    potentv Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks mate :D
     
    potentv, Nov 14, 2008
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  7. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You should be able to do it without a problem, provided there's sufficient empty space on the drive - I converted a 160GB external drive from FAT to NTFS a couple of weeks ago without incident, although, being a paranoid sort when it comes to those things, I made a backup first and stored it elsewhere.
     
    Shyster1, Nov 14, 2008
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