Big Files on a FAT32 System?

[Dangchau]

is there any way to copy files that are bigger than 5gig over to a FAT32 system or only works on NTFS?

[TippeX]

max limit on fat32 is about 4 gig....
so copying 1 file, the size of 5 gig to a fat32 system is impossible....

you can easily convert the drive to ntfs without losing data though....

[Dangchau]

any known programs that can convert without losing data?

[TippeX]

erm, if i remember right windows actually has a program to do it for you...

or..

(run from command prompt)

D:\WINDOWS\system32>help convert
Converts FAT volumes to NTFS.

CONVERT volume /FS:NTFS [/V] [/CvtArea:filename] [/NoSecurity] [/X]

volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
mount point, or volume name.
/FS:NTFS Specifies that the volume is to be converted to NTFS.
/V Specifies that Convert should be run in verbose mode.
/CvtArea:filename
Specifies a contiguous file in the root directory to be
the place holder for NTFS system files.
/NoSecurity Specifies the converted files and directories security
settings to be accessible by everyone.
/X Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.
All opened handles to the volume would then be invalid.

so for example

convert D: /FS:NTFS /X


think theres a gui option to do it as well, i can't remember it though..
maybe someone else does

[BarryB]

Backup your data on the drive you're converting first, just in case windows playfully trashes your system

If the drive is a data drive (and the data backed up or moved) you can just format it within WinXP as NTFS, right click on the drive and choose FORMAT, I think it's NTFS by default!

Also from the Windows Help File:

To convert a volume to NTFS from the command prompt

1. Open the Command Prompt window.
2. In the command prompt window, type convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs
   For example, typing convert D: /fs:ntfs would format drive D: with the ntfs format

Notes:

• To open a command prompt, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.
• You can convert FAT or FAT32 volumes to NTFS with this command.

Doesn't say if the data will be detroyed or not though so better back it up beforehand, which you shouild do anyway regardless!

[TippeX]

nah i've used it to convert fat32->ntfs before.. no data loss.. provided you dont suffer from a power outage etc

[schlaufer]

The convert command keeps the data on the partition intact (it worked that way since Windows NT 3.51).
There is one thing you should be aware of:
As soon as you have NTFS on your disk, you have the tighter access control activated. If the computer is used by multiple users, this may lead to unexpected behaviour when you are exchanging files.
Also installing programs under C:\Windows\Program Files\ is typically ony possible as administrator.

In General, I would not recommend the conversion of the windows partition on a system that is already in use for a noticable amount of time. Best do it directly after installation - or even better use NTFS during installation