I have a 250GB external USB hard drive. It came formatted to the FAT32 filesystem, but I need to store files over 4GB on it. My question is, does anyone see any problem in converting the drive to the NTFS file system?
Several years ago we upgraded my family's PC from Windows ME to XP and I was able to convert the computer's C:\ drive from FAT32 to NTFS in place with the CONVERT DOS command, without losing any data. Will it work converting my external USB hard drive this way? Will it hurt anything?
Thanks.
2007-06-11 09:15:16 · 4 answers · asked by mblaine 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
no, there should not be any problem. keep in mind that a usb is almost like a regular drive except that it is portable. so yes you can change. nothig wrong will happen. be sure to back it up.
2007-06-11 09:22:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Refromatting to NTFS shouldn't be a problem (although I did a complete format on an empty Iomega drive, not converting one already full of data) In any event, that allowed me to store larger files.
The only potential issue is that Windows doesn't support the "optimize for quick removal" feature on NTFS-formatted external USB drives.
2007-06-11 16:38:26 · answer #2 · answered by C-Man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It should matter if it's external or internal HD.
They both the same. I don't think you will have any problems unless there is some kind of system error. Convert utility just changing filesystem format but not touching data located on HD.
though it is still a good idea to back up your data before you convert.
Cheers, DS
2007-06-11 16:27:44 · answer #3 · answered by D S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just use disc manager in windows
2007-06-11 16:19:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋