Convert NTFS to Fat32, without loss of OS or data

[PoWa]

Hi everyone, I've been getting fed up with this stupid error:

---------------------------------------------
A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: Ntfs.sys

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

~~~~~ bla ~~~bla~~~~ reboot computer now.

Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. Go into safemode if you need to and remove components.

Techinical information:

*** STOP: 0x00000050 (0xF7ED2DFAC, 0x00000001, 0xF7587266, 0X00000000)

*** Ntfs.sys - Address F7587266 base at F7583000, Datestamp 3b7dc5d0 .
---------------------------------------------------

It happens about once a week. Not sure what causes it exactly but I have a hunch it is something to do with PartitionMagic. You see I formatted my older drive last night as NTFS (using PM) and then I was running Xp for 5mins and then I got that error. Kept getting that error when starting up. My only choice was to format the old drive and install linux on it, which got everything going again.

I'm thinking XP doesn't like PM's NTFS partitions at all. Anyway on my new hard drive, Windows Xp is on C: (3Gb) and it is NTFS. I'm hoping that if I convert it to fat32 then I won't get any more of these useless errors?

Can it be done? Via command prompt? A program? I don't want to reinstall windows just to make it fat32 thats all.

Thanks.

[sc0ut]

it is not passable to change the format of a drive or a partition without formatting it :(
personally i don't use partitions because it slows many PCs down
throw in another HD and copy your files across and you can also copy most of you windows setting, then we install an OS
use Fdisk
(forgive me if i'm going way off the track you want)

[sc0ut]

*possible
sorry too high resolution

[Billy T]

Yes you can change from NTFS to FAT32 without loss of data but you need Partition Magic to do it. I don't have this myself, but I had my W2K partitions changed by a friend who did have it.

Cheers

Billy 8-{)

[sc0ut]

i don't think that is a good idea if you do it to the partition that your OS is on because windows will have a spaz when it find out you have changed the whole structure of the HD

(but hay i may be wrong)

[Odin]

Actually Scout you can covert without losing data.

convert c: /ntfs

not sure if you can go backwards to fat

convert c: /fat32

[sc0ut]

yes but is the OS on that converted drive guaranteed to work???

[Odin]

Always has for me. But like I said I'm not sure about going back from NTFS to fat32, in fact I'm fairly sure that you can't given the security that is in place on ntfs systems.

[Billy T]

Hey Guys, don't you read previous posts before you add your personal quota of FUD. If you don't know, don't post!

Let me say it again: Yes, you can convert from NTFS to FAT32 without loss of data, in fact without trauma of any kind. Use PM and follow the bouncing ball. Your OS will not be bothered and your data will remain intact, the only change will be to the file format.

Believe it, Please!

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
[b][pre]This post prepared on a W2K box originally
set up in NTFS and converted to FAT32 using PM.

FUD = Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt

[PoWa]

Right thanks everyone and BillyT :D

Il have a go at it with Partition Magic. I am fast losing faith in this program though!

[Odin]

Ahem Billy :-) I did read your post did you read mine :-) I wasn't talking about partition magic I was talking about the convert command that is part of windows. I know you can change the file system with that but why download or pay for a program if you don't need to :D

[Chilling_Silently]

Whatever you do.. Take heed of the warnings telling you to scandisk your drive and defrag it, coz a lot more CAN go wrong converting back to Fat32 from NTFS!

Ive run in to troubles once with it, and only managed to salvage my data using Knoppix, and then proceeded to format the partition instead.

I have however successfully converted NTFS 5 times without a worry at all, the only reason it stopped for me was because I hadnt run ScanDisk and PM threw a wobbly at it (Understandably.. I didnt listen!).

The OS will not care what FS its running off, but it may prompt to reboot at the end of the conversion after XP says something about finding new hardware and it cannot be used until you reboot etc.
I believe this is XP simply updating its records that you're now using FAT32 and not NTFS :-)

Go for it!

[Billy T]

Quite simple Odin:

There is currently no other viable alternative, and PoWa wrote in his initial post that he already had PartitionMagic available, hence there was absolutely no need to look anywhere else for dubious solutions.

Why give somebody potentially erroneous advice (as I understand it, "Windows Convert" is a one way street) when the best solution is at their fingertips? Free is not always better, and although there are many free programs that equal or better commercial offerings, sometimes it is preferable to pay for reliability and support.

Especially when data integrity is at stake.

Cheers

Billy 8-{)

[Chilling_Silently]

Agreed. Well said!

Dont forget a backup first though, Just in case ;-)