Converting from NTFS to Fat32 without data loss?

thugic · 07-16-2005, 09:04 AM

Is this possible?
I have an external USB 2.0 hard disk (LaCie 200GB) formatted with NTFS filesystem, and now that i have totally unninstalled Windows from my machine i would like to have write rights to that external hard drive...
Is it possible to convert that partition (in Linux) without losing any data....
Thanks in advance

Bruce Hill · 07-16-2005, 09:31 AM

You'll get other opinions, but I'd use Partition Magic to do that job.

Half_Elf · 07-16-2005, 10:39 PM

converting NTFS to FAT32 is really hard, in fact I doubt you can do this, even using partition magic. The FAT32 to NTFS is easy but the reverse is very complex.

gruven · 07-17-2005, 01:07 AM

Another vote for Partition Magic. I have done it countless times and it doesn't take long at all.

mjolnir · 07-25-2005, 08:48 PM

PM8 will convert ntfs to fat32 routinely. Install PM8, make the rescue floppies, reboot with floppy 1, insert floppy 2 and resize, convert to your hearts content. Just did that today as a matter of fact. It can be done with PM7 but it is a pain in the butt! You have to identify those files that are sparse or compressed, delete them, run COMPACT with some variables from the command line and pray for the best. Been a while since I've done that so those directions aren't definitive.

Reread your post and assume that you no longer have a windows OS so none of what I wrote is pertinent. Sorry.

kencaz · 07-25-2005, 08:52 PM

Don't partition that often, however have to give a thumbs up for PM for non-destructive partitioning... Never had a problem with it...

KC

Electro · 07-25-2005, 11:45 PM

You can do it with QTparted by splitting the partition and adding a new partition. Then copy the files to the new partition. It will take a few times.

I strongly suggest before attempting to change the partitions or filesystem is to backup. If power goes out, even Partition Magic will lose data and probably trash the partition table. If you think making backups makes you a wimp. Backups saves a lot of grief and can save your job.

juanjavier_xxx · 07-26-2005, 12:16 AM

Is there a Partition Magic option for Debianites??

Greetings,
JuanJa.

juanjavier_xxx · 07-26-2005, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by juanjavier_xxx
Is there a Partition Magic option for Debianites??

---Uuupss, sorry.

qtparted_0.4.3_i386.deb

juanjavier_xxx · 07-26-2005, 01:33 AM

To whom may interest:

apt-get update
apt-get install parted

Greetz

nominruil · 08-28-2005, 05:41 PM

Make sure you backup your data, re-sizing, and changing your partitions can be risky. But if its possible, i'd recommend partition magic.