NTFS partition query

chopster

I have two hard drives both using the fat32 system under windows xp.

I am getting into video/dvd editing and so here lies the problem.
fat32 as you probably know can only handle file sizes <4gb and any form of video capture can easily gobble that up in no time.
So here's the question my second drive that i use for backups is a 60gig drive and the main drive where xp is installed is only 12gigs.
Can i convert my backup drive to NTFS WITHOUT losing my backed up data or is this not possible as the Fat32 xp drive cannot read the ntfs drive ?

Would this mean i would have to convert both drives to ntfs ?

Thanx:)

Xterminator

You can convert either or both to ntfs without data loss.

Go to a command prompt, and type 'convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs'

Then next timke you reboot, it will be converted.
It is suprosingly quick and painless.

X

GUI

or easier GUI based way to do it

is go to start run
and type mmc

select add/remove snap in from file menu bar
and select disk manager
click add

right click on the selected driver
and u get the appropriate options

jim_rebels

Both the CLI and GUI options mentioned will work and the data does not have to be backed up (though it wouldn't be a bad idea).
I have do it loads of times and never seen it crash but theres always a first time for everything

java

remember once you change to NTFS you cant go back to FAT32 without losing all your data

chopster

Thanx guys

The reason that i did not do this last i formatted was i think there are certain third party system progs that don't like ntfs , can't remember could be a defrag prog , norton utilities or something.

like i said , does the main drive have to be converted as well to read the ntfs backup drive ?

GUI

nope
win2k and xp support fat16/32 and ntfs read and write