Lo all,

My final (and very brave) move to linux will include changing my 250gig sata hard drive from ntfs to a journalised linux FS. I use that drive for my data..

My question is, is there any way i can convert it without losing my data? coz its a bit difficault to move the data i have on it now to anywhere else..

Also i was thinking of using good ol ext3, anyone agrees or has any arguments about that?

so close.. got surround sound, mysql, and wine left for my final converstion =)
Thanks,

AFAIK there isn't a utility that will convert from NTFS to a linux filesystem without losing data.

hi there

ext3 is a good ,but when later if u also try to work on windows u won't be able to access the partition

also u need to format the drive if u ant to move drom ntfs to ext3,also with some not full write support in linux for ntfs,you would like to to keep the partiton ext3


regards

Thanks,

Yea, but my only alternative is to use FAT32, which is poor if you ask me. I guess i'll find a way to backup everything and then format as ext3.

hi there

u r right in case of Vfat,u need to use ext3

also there is one tool called partion magic which can make a partion out of the free space available and then u can format that free space,
BUT I haven't Used that.

so PL. Consult accordingly! and do backup ur data if u trying that for the first time

regards

For my part, I would choose reiserfs for partitions which contain small files like icons, sources code and the root partition.

I 'd definitively choose xfs for partitions which contain big files like divx, iso files etc...

Question,

Currently, when i installed slackware, it automatically made my sata mount to /mnt/sata (as ntfs). Is there anyway just incase it will give me errors in not finding that drive

Also, after i format, how can i automatically mount it to say,
/sata

Fanka.

look into /etc/fstab. you'll get the idea

-- Adil

Thanks, makes more sense now.

Wish me luck, now to bloody burn 200 gigs to have enough left to move/backup to the other hard drives =/

Just an FYI for all those trying to get away from Bill Gates......

I had a 160 gig HDD that was NTFS, and I used Partition magic and I lost about 40 gig!!! :-(

NEVER USE PARTITION MAGIC.......IT SUX!!!!!!!!!!!

This is how I ended up resolving a similar issue............

1. I borrowed a friends spare 120 gig HDD and formatted it with FAT32 (in windows)
2. I moved my data from my 160 gig NTFS HDD to the 120 gig FAT32 HDD (in windows)
3. I formatted and partitioned the empty 160 gig HDD with EXT3 (in Linux, obviously)
4. I mounted the partitions for the newly formatted 160 gig EXT3 HDD
5. I put the 120 gig FAT32 HDD in my linux box and mounted the FAT32 partitions
6. I copied everything over.
7. I gave the 120 gig FAT32 HDD back to my friend, with all the movies, apps, games, and music he could ever want.

Ok I lied about part of this procedure. The truth is, I haven't actually gotten past step 5.
I got the 160 gig formatted, partitioned and mounted, but thats it.

BUT, I can't get the 120 gig FAT32 mounted. But this does work, I swear!!!! many before me have succeeded.


Any thoughs for us converts? Anyone?

hii

I too havn't used partiton magic and u would like to take backup of ur data bedore using partiton magic or even fdisk

i have faced the problem even with fdisk

so DO TAKE BACKUP !!!!! of your data before going for any toool!!!

regards

there has got to be a way to push the envelope. Lets deviate slightly here. what about a move from NTFS to FAT32 then from FAT32 to ext3/reiserfs. Someone has got to have some clue, there has got to be away, lets find it.

I just found the perfect solution... Burn to DVD the sh*t you hardly ever use.. and wait till your hard drive fails, losing all your important data..

I lost 220 gigs, some of which consisted of my programming, work, etc... (which was backed up into a usb card and stolen from me in uni the week before that)...

But you end up with a clean new hard drive where all you do is just convert to ext3 =)

Just a thought... =]

I don't have a DVD Burner not can I afford one so how is that a solution for me? There has got to be a *safe* want to convert it from NTFS even to FAT then FAT to ext3, or even if it stays FAT, there's nothing sensative on the disk(s) that warents full linux security