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Converting from FAT32 to NTFS

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11 replies

by cnc

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I have a Western Digital My Book usb external hard drive. It was attatched to my XP computer. The XP unit no longer works. I attatched it to my old Windows ME computer. The computer shows it,s there, but I can't get on it. Granted the ext. drive wasn't desinged for ME, but I hope someone could tell how to(if possible). Would converting the internal hard drive from FAT32 to NTFS help? Could I do this without losing data? If not, any ideas?

11 replies

by nepenthe0

Yes, you could reformat the external HD to NTFS using a 3rd party utility, but you would lose everything on the drive.

Before you attempt any modification of the file structure on the external hard drive, transfer the data you wish to preserve to a large capacity USB flash drive or burn it to a CD for safekeeping.

As for Windows ME, this is probably the worst operating system Microsoft ever unleashed upon an unsuspecting populace. Against my natural inclinations, I was compelled to become computer proficient just keeping a Windows ME machine alive and functional. The day came when it wasn't worth the hours of rescue work, and I performed a [i]clean install[/i] of XP Professional. The misery ended.

So I cannot encourage you to resume use of a fundamentally flawed operating system running on an obsolete computer. Rather than mess around with the external hard drive, I recommend that you resuscitate the crippled XP machine, which will give you [b]much[/b] better service once it's operational.

Rick/Portland, OR

by nepenthe0

One can install XP in either format (FAT32 or NTFS), and XP installed in NTFS will read FAT32 formatted flash drives and external hard drives.

However, I wasn't sure whether Windows ME could read data from an NTFS formatted disk. You have answered that question. Thank you, sir...

Rick/Portland, OR

by choppit

If you're just trying to recover the data; boot using Knoppix then copy the data from the USB drive. If you're looking for a permanent solution you'll need to install a supported OS.

by nepenthe0

Where in the world do you [b]find[/b] this stuff? You realize, of course, that you're an accomplice in reactionary philosophy by assisting folks to march against the tide of progress?

I'll forgive you, though, 'cause I [b]love[/b] tools, and envy your toolkit...

Rick/Portland, OR

by rob miners

that over the years I have accumulated quite a swag of Tools. There are not to many that I haven't used for one thing or another. 99% of them are freeware. EG: Sysinternals. Its funny sometimes as as I have the executable for the fix but then I have to find a link and hope that it is still available on the net.
I am an accomplice in reactionary philosophy as I had to support Win98-95 long past its useby date. I am betting that the same is going to happen to XP and I will have it running for as long as possible. Vista to me is ME allover. ;)

by nepenthe0

I've wasted too many hours/days/weeks of my time battling glitches in Windows ME to ever incur that misery again.

No matter how I tried to personalize and reconfigure Vista, I kept getting [i]permission denied[/i] popups, and it was never intuitive where to look to tweak the interface. A month of that was enough - Vista out, XP MCE (Pro) back in.

That's why I'm apprehensive about Windows 7, which appears to be nothing but a [i]modular[/i] (as apposed to [i]bloated[/i]) Vista. Once is bad, twice is unconscionable, there ain't gonna be a 3rd time.

I plan to acquire a Knoppix CD and start learning Linux. [i]Boxfiddler[/i] has provided some useful tips. When Windows 7 arrives, I'll be ready, machine guns loaded and pointed...

Rick/Portland, OR

by oh smeg

But you need the USB Driver for this Device and ME to use it on ME.

There is absolutely nothing at all wrong with the drive but if the OS can not support the Enclosures Chip Set the OS can not read the drive. If WD don't have a USB Driver a generic USB Enclosure driver may work but you'll need to know which chip set to get so you'll need to either read the WD Manual or crack open the Enclosure and look for the Chip Set type.

Col

by rob miners

in all the years that I have been in it I have never been asked to look at a Linux System. I have a cheat sheet prepared for that day but I have never had to use it. I have worked on Mac's and IBM clones but never Linux. I have used several versions of Linux over the years and the one that I most enjoy using is PC Linux. It is a very nice version and easy to get around in. Have a look at it to if you get a chance.

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