NTFS to FAT32
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Cornerstone member
90 posts
Posted: 16/02/2010 6:02 PM
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Hi all,
Is it possible to change the file system of a vacant partition on a HDD from NTFS to FAT32?
I wish to use it as a place to store docs etc that are accessed from both Windows and Ubuntu.
Or am I a hopeless optimist?
Cheers
Nev
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Why is the tag-line so damn shor
New user
209 posts
Posted: 16/02/2010 8:02 PM
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Nev wrote:
Is it possible to change the file system of a vacant partition on a HDD from NTFS to FAT32?
sure is. Just delete and format as Fat32 from within your OS or use a partition manager to do a simple convert.
Look at Parted Magic (Freeware) or Ranish Partition manager (freeware) or obtain Partition Magic (commercial). As always reading before clicking, saves lots of data, so does backing up.
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ALL PRAISE GOOGLE
User
104 posts
Posted: 16/02/2010 9:02 PM
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I don't know of any ways to convert it, but you could format it in fat32
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The Leopard Seals are coming...
New user
58 posts
Posted: 17/02/2010 2:02 AM
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Nev wrote:
Is it possible to change the file system of a vacant partition on a HDD from NTFS to FAT32?
I wish to use it as a place to store docs etc that are accessed from both Windows and Ubuntu.
Because Ubuntu can access NTFS partitions (both read and write), without the 4GB file size limit of FAT32, there is no need to convert the NTFS partition from NTFS to FAT32. Indeed it is not possible to change an NTFS partition to FAT32 without re-formatting the partition.
Nev wrote:
Or am I a hopeless optimist?
No you are not a hopeless optimist. I use Ubuntu for backing up Windows NTFS partitions, and Ubuntu is also often (but not always) useful for accessing non bootable Windows NTFS partitions.
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Why is the tag-line so damn shor
New user
209 posts
Posted: 17/02/2010 10:02 AM
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I'd replied to this before but the vagaries of the APC site appear to have eaten that post.
Nev wrote:
Is it possible to change the file system of a vacant partition on a HDD from NTFS to FAT32?
A: = Yes
This can be achieved with some effort from within most OSs or easily using third party applications.
Look for "Parted Magic" or "Ranish Partition Manager" (freeware) or at Partition Magic (commercial) to do the trick.
As always the golden rules apply
1. read fist click last.
2. Understand what you've read before clicking. read again if necessary.
3. Back up first and don't come looking for sympathy if you have not bothered.
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ALL PRAISE GOOGLE
User
104 posts
Posted: 17/02/2010 11:02 AM
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Raindog wrote:
I'd replied to this before but the vagaries of the APC site appear to have eaten that post.
ditto
but can't be bothered repeating it :)
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The Leopard Seals are coming...
New user
58 posts
Posted: 18/02/2010 2:02 AM
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Raindog wrote:
I'd replied to this before but the vagaries of the APC site appear to have eaten that post.
It seems to have eaten my post as well, but now it has stopped eating them here is the post again.
Nev wrote:
Is it possible to change the file system of a vacant partition on a HDD from NTFS to FAT32?
I wish to use it as a place to store docs etc that are accessed from both Windows and Ubuntu.
Because Ubuntu can access NTFS partitions (both read and write), without the 4GB file size limit of FAT32, there is no need to convert the NTFS partition from NTFS to FAT32. Indeed it is not possible to change an NTFS partition to FAT32 without re-formatting the partition.
Nev wrote:
Or am I a hopeless optimist?
No you are not a hopeless optimist. I use Ubuntu for backing up Windows NTFS partitions, and Ubuntu is also often (but not always) useful for accessing non bootable Windows NTFS partitions.
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Why is the tag-line so damn shor
New user
209 posts
Posted: 18/02/2010 8:02 AM
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The Penguin wrote:
Indeed it is not possible to change an NTFS partition to FAT32 without re-formatting the partition.
More correctly "it is not possible to change a partition from within the OS. Some of the tools I suggested above will convert a partition on the fly, all the advice regarding data security obviously still apply.
The Penguin wrote:
Because Ubuntu can access NTFS partitions .......... there is no need to convert the NTFS partition from NTFS to FAT32
It would seem this is the best advice, assuming your Ubuntu is an up to date installation.
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Why is the tag-line so damn shor
New user
209 posts
Posted: 18/02/2010 8:02 AM
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dd <--- pointless characters to a blank reply to get this whacko forum system to add a reply window. TM
The Penguin wrote:
Indeed it is not possible to change an NTFS partition to FAT32 without re-formatting the partition.
More correctly "it is not possible to change a partition from within the OS. Some of the tools I suggested above will convert a partition on the fly, all the advice regarding data security obviously still apply.
The Penguin wrote:
Because Ubuntu can access NTFS partitions .......... there is no need to convert the NTFS partition from NTFS to FAT32
It would seem this is the best advice, assuming your Ubuntu is an up to date installation.
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Cornerstone member
90 posts
Posted: 18/02/2010 12:02 PM
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Thanks all,
I will leave it as is and see what happens when I save things.
I only raised the query because someone said you can't save to an NTFS partition from Ubuntu without having a catastrophe.
Perhaps they had an earlier version.
Once again thanks
Nev
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