Hello I just received a 1TB external HDD at work, and I want to convert it from Fat32 to NTFS ready for when I get home tonight. If I convert it on my XP based laptop at work, will there be any issues with it running properly on my Vista desktop at home? And does anyone have any ideas on how long it will take? I’m worried it won’t be finished by the time I need to go! Thanks for your help.

Answer:
it might take 20 mins and be fine to do it with xp The check for errors may take a long time so skip that step Fat32 to NTFS ——————- you can change the file system with out losing the data To Check your hard drive, flash drive or external hard drive do this. They ALL need to be NTFS to handle today’s large size file addressing.. Open my computer, right click the drive >properties. In the pop up it will say FAT or NTFS in the file system. If its FAT you need to change it to NTFS to handle large files and drive sizes. On XP click start >help and support >type in convert.exe to read about it. Do it in this order: 1,Run chdsk to fix errors by: Open my computer> right click the drive >properties >tools >check now >tick both boxes and run it to clear the disk of any errors, then: 2. defrag the drive (tools) 3. Enter the convert command like this: say the usb drive is F: Click Start > Run > convert F: /fs:ntfs /v /nosecurity /x same for your C drive. (paste above convert command and change the drive letter) 4. do a defrag again. I have done this a lot and never lost any data. Just don’t interfere or take risks. The biggest risk is a power failure while its doing it. It doesn’t take long. If you find it doesn’t do the conversion, then run Chkdisk to fix errors then try again.

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