FAT16 to FAT32?

[Partial]

The main partition on a machine that I am working on is FAT16. I want to convert to FAT32. The OS is Windows 2000. Can I do this? and can I do it without buying software?

I searched the forum but didn't find any threads for converting FAT16 in Windows 2000.

(I know I can convert to NTFS, but I wanted to keep the system bootable from DOS disks, and I m not worried about security. )

[Sid]

If the partition size is under 2gb than windows won't convert it. Partition magic should be able to.

[Partial]

Sid, the partition size is exactly 2 GB. Does that still count? Where is the option to convert the drive?

[Sid]

Yes.

[Partial]

Right. Now where is the option to convert to FAT32?

[Mynetisbest]

Originally posted by Partial
Right. Now where is the option to convert to FAT32?

Hi,

Win2K does not have the option to convert FAT16 to 32, in fact it doesn't have that option from one type of FAT to another, and that is by design. You can format (after backing up your data that you want to keep) and reinstall under the FAT32, which would decrease the slack greatly.

Why not get a bigger drive, as 2000 uses arounf 750megs just from the install, and that doesn't include the page file and hibernation files they create (though the Hib. file can be turned off)?

For more info, read here;
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q197627

[Mynetisbest]

Originally posted by Mynetisbest


Hi,

Win2K does not have the option to convert FAT16 to 32, in fact it doesn't have that option from one type of FAT to another, and that is by design. You can format (after backing up your data that you want to keep) and reinstall under the FAT32, which would decrease the slack greatly.

Why not get a bigger drive, as 2000 uses around 750megs just from the install, and that doesn't include the page file and hibernation files they create (though the Hib. file can be turned off)?

For more info, read here;
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q197627

[Partial]

Mynetisbest...

Thanks for the post. That's quite helpful, but what really moved me is your second post... :)

This is a clients computer, pretty old machine too. In fact, this is a new hard drive I am installing. I had to partition it though b/c FAT16 won't support a drive above 4G, and at 4G slack is huge. So I partitioned it 2G/6G. She doesn't have installation disks either so I couldn't reinstall. I just ghosted the image over. But now Im stuck with this FAT16 partition.

[Norm]

You could slave the drive on with a Win98 system, and convert to FAT32.
Win98 has a FAT16 to FAT32 conversion application in the 'system tools'.

[Sid]

If you format or convert that 2gb partition to fat 32 your going to lose drive space. Fat16 is more efficient on partitions under 2gb. This is why there is no option under NT.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Have you considered a drive overlay proggie so the system can use the whole drive?