Conversion to NTFS - implications for recovery procedures

I'm thinking of converting a mixed set of partitions (some FAT32, some
NTFS), to NTFS only.

Some of my established procedures rely on my ability to get 'outside
of' windows, using DOS. I've read that DOS won't run in an NTFS
partition so how does one, for example, modify or replace windows
files without being blocked because they are in use?

Hi

You can convert FAT32 partitions to NTFS partitions without losing any
files. Type the following from a command prompt to see the options
available:

convert /?

I've never had any problems using the above command, although it may prudent
to backup all your data files beforehand - which I do.

--


Will Denny
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

"John" <nospam@plusnet.com> wrote in message
news:fc3qr1lv1pf7j4sfv842e36om9qr92eiv8@4ax.com...
> I'm thinking of converting a mixed set of partitions (some FAT32, some
> NTFS), to NTFS only.
>
> Some of my established procedures rely on my ability to get 'outside
> of' windows, using DOS. I've read that DOS won't run in an NTFS
> partition so how does one, for example, modify or replace windows
> files without being blocked because they are in use?

Hi

You can convert FAT32 partitions to NTFS partitions without losing any
files. Type the following from a command prompt to see the options
available:

convert /?

I've never had any problems using the above command, although it may prudent
to backup all your data files beforehand - which I do.

--


Will Denny
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

"John" <nospam@plusnet.com> wrote in message
news:fc3qr1lv1pf7j4sfv842e36om9qr92eiv8@4ax.com...
> I'm thinking of converting a mixed set of partitions (some FAT32, some
> NTFS), to NTFS only.
>
> Some of my established procedures rely on my ability to get 'outside
> of' windows, using DOS. I've read that DOS won't run in an NTFS
> partition so how does one, for example, modify or replace windows
> files without being blocked because they are in use?

John,

When the conversion from FATx to NTFS is done on the System partition, it is
actually done on system reboot - very early in the boot process and before
most of Windows even is loaded. Assuming that you have a sufficient amount
of space on the drive for the conversion process to take place, there should
be no issues.

I think that you will find NTFS a more robust, faster performing and secure
file system than FATx.

- Greg/Raxco Software
Microsoft MVP - Windows File System

Want to email me? Delete ntloader.

"John" <nospam@plusnet.com> wrote in message
news:fc3qr1lv1pf7j4sfv842e36om9qr92eiv8@4ax.com...
> I'm thinking of converting a mixed set of partitions (some FAT32, some
> NTFS), to NTFS only.
>
> Some of my established procedures rely on my ability to get 'outside
> of' windows, using DOS. I've read that DOS won't run in an NTFS
> partition so how does one, for example, modify or replace windows
> files without being blocked because they are in use?