FAT16 to FAT32 - IS IT SAFE?
dan
Currently using Win950a with 2 HDs (on FAT16).
My plan is:
1) -copy everything to HD 1 and disconnect it
2) -format HD 2 and install Win98SE full version
3) -reconnect HD 1 as slave
4) -right drag/drop & copy backups -- as needed -- from HD 1 (FAT16) to HD
2 (FAT32)
Will these items convert to FAT32 as they are copied to that system?
Or will I need to somehow convert the whole HD 1 (still under Win950a) to
FAT32 before
I move any of its files?
Please suggest precautions I should take to prevent loss of data.
Thanks, Dan
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BFunk33
You don't say what you plan to do with your applications.
This method will require you to re-install all of your applications.
You will also need to use fdisk to make your Hard Drive 2 (I presume this is
your D: drive) an active primary partition, or you can't boot from it. Also,
you'll need to make drive #1 (C: ?) inactive.
To prevent loss of *data* (as opposed to applications) back it up to some media
beside the drives you will work on. Test it to make sure it's actually saved.
>Posted via CNET Help.com
>http://www.help.com/
IMO, you should learn to use Usenet.
Bill Funk
"First, it was not a strip bar, it was an erotic club. And
second, what can I say? I'm a night owl."
- M. Barry, Mayor of Washington,DC
Andrew Rossmann
> FAT16 to FAT32 - IS IT SAFE?
>
> Currently using Win950a with 2 HDs (on FAT16).
>
> My plan is:
> 1) -copy everything to HD 1 and disconnect it
> 2) -format HD 2 and install Win98SE full version
> 3) -reconnect HD 1 as slave
> 4) -right drag/drop & copy backups -- as needed -- from HD 1 (FAT16) to HD
> 2 (FAT32)
>
> Will these items convert to FAT32 as they are copied to that system?
> Or will I need to somehow convert the whole HD 1 (still under Win950a) to
> FAT32 before
> I move any of its files?
> Please suggest precautions I should take to prevent loss of data.
FAT16/FAT32 is simply how the operating system keeps track of where the data
is located. FAT=File Allocation Table. 16 means it uses 16-bit numbers
[0-->65,535]. 32 means it uses 32-bit numbers [0-->4,294,967,295]. The numbers
are used to number 'clusters', which are groups of sectors where data is
stored. FAT32 partitions under 8G use 4K clusters. Each cluster contains 8
sectors. Each sector holds 512 bytes (0.5K).
Simply copying between FAT16/FAT32 drives is no different than copying
between any two devices (your floppies are FAT12 [12-bit, 0-->4,095].)
Don't forget that by installing 'from scratch', you will need to reinstall
alot of your software. With most Windows based programs, you cannot simply
copy the programs over.
As always, you should make at least TWO full backups, and verify them fully.
An alternate way to do it would be to download a copy of Ghost from
www.symantec.com, buy a copy from the store, or buy a copy of DriveCopy from
the store. These programs will let you 'clone' your drive from the old to the
new drive. Further, they can automatically 'expand' your partitions, and even
'convert' from FAT16 to FAT32. Some RETAIL drives will come with similar
utilities.
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dan
If HD 2 is the only drive connected and I:
1) format HD 2
2) boot to the CD-ROM for fresh install
3) set HD 2 to master and reconnect HD 1 set as slave
Do I still need to worry about using fdisk to make HD 2 my active primary
partition?
When I search the web for "Usenet", I get many results.
If I had the slightest idea of what Usenet is -- like the URL -- then
maybe I would.
BFunk33 wrote:
> You don't say what you plan to do with your applications.
> This method will require you to re-install all of your applications.
> You will also need to use fdisk to make your Hard Drive 2 (I presume
> this is
> your D: drive) an active primary partition, or you can't boot from it.
> Also,you'll need to make drive #1 (C: ?) inactive.
> IMO, you should learn to use Usenet.
> Bill Funk
> "First, it was not a strip bar, it was an erotic club. And
> second, what can I say? I'm a night owl."
> - M. Barry, Mayor of Washington,DC
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