C:\:>convert F: /fs:ntfs you typed correctly first time.
However, if you can not make it, download utility from WD site and format the drive there.
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Convert new external Hard Drive from FAT 32 to NTFS
I purchased an external hard drive and it was formatted to FAT 32. I would like to covert it to NTFS. I have searched the data base and found that the following command can be used.
convert (volume) /FS:NTFS
volume = drive letter
System Info
Window Sever 2000
C: is 68G hard drive
F: is 250G external hard drive
I typed from the C: prompt
C:\>convert F: /FS:NTFS
The return prompt was "Enter the current volumn labe for drive F:"
I entered F & F:
It returned "An incorrect volumn label was entered for this drive."
What is the problem. Do I have to do this from the F drive prompt or is it something else?
Also I hope this will leave my data that is already on Drive F intact. If it does destroy the data, will I have to install an OS on the new drive or will it work for just storage using the OS on the C drive
Cawper
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Answers
Your command should work.
Also...you should not loose any data during the conversion process.
This dude had the same problem and he fixed it with help in this post:
http://www.techzonez.com/f
Good luck!!!
The volume label you're being asked for is NOT the same as the drive letter.
For example, if you right-click on a drive in My Computer and select Properties, the label is the name displayed in the box at the top of the "General" tab. It's often blank for new drives. You'll also see all of the labels displayed in My Computer -> the "names" of the drives (NOT the drive letters).
Convert will work fine if you simply enter the right label information :-)
... and yes, all of the data on the drive will be retained if you use Convert.
However, it's actually better to do a clean format of the drive -- i.e. "Format X:" from a C: prompt. This will, however, destroy all of the data on the external drive (but won't have any bearing on your OS). The reason it works better is it ensures all of the data is properly aligned on NTFS boundaries ... Convert may not do that, depending on how the original FAT32 formatting was done. If you use Convert, and later have problems trying to copy files larger than 4GB, that's the issue => but it's better to completely avoid that possibility before you have too much data on the drive.
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by: mwecomputersPosted on 2008-01-02 at 12:02:51ID: 20567317
Format backup drives with NTFS
http://www.microsoft.com/w
Once you convert a drive or partition to NTFS, you cannot simply convert it back to FAT or FAT32. You will need to reformat the drive or partition which will erase all data, including programs and personal files, on the partition.