XP Pro help plz, wanna convert ntfs partition back to fat 32 to format it

[Cisco Kid]

This is kinda new to me so bare with me and help me out if you can.

Having a problem converting an ntfs boot partition back to fat32 so I can format it.

I have a 60 gig drive split into 55 gig and 5gig roughly. I do not want to touch the 5 gig partition. But I wanna format the 55 gig partition that is in ntfs format.

After reading I see that XP help says you can not go from ntfs back to fat32.

I tried partition magic 7 to convert the partition back to fat32 but I get a batch error 100 something.

Basically my reason for formating is I have installed several drivers to test out my Radeon 7500 and also for the best performance on my 64 DDR vivo. I wann aremove all previous driver files and just load the driver that I am happy with.

Also wanna clean up some other stuff, but thats the main reason. Is there a way I can just delete all the old driver files that are in windows/system32?

But I also wanna find out why I can not format. How do you format a partition that has the boot or windows info fo on it and also I MUST retein the other partition

Cisco kid:(

[turd]

ok just boot to your xp cd and hit the option for new install and it will give you your partition info. then just chose the partition(55 gig) and delete it, then you will be back at your setup screen where you will be prompted to chosse where ui want to set up, the now unformated space (55) or the existing partition(5) pick the 55, and follow the instruction and have it format in ntfs. ypu dont need to convert back, between or any of that stuff. your xp will pick up and duall boot the 5 gig for u.

you could also do this(listing and removing select partitions) with dos FDISK, also you can fdisk your MBR.

as far as deleting drivers from your system files I would sugest you use the CPannel add /remove programs option or go to the device manager uninstall or check out the web site of the software. if you are inexperienced you dont really need to mess with picemeal uninstalls of system drivers. i mean it is as simple as run system32 | right click | delete, but you delete the wrong thing and you better hope you can get into safemode/recovery

hope this makes sense

[bdf24]

Or just boot off of a bootable Win 98 floppy disk. then enter FDisk and delete the partition. Then create a new one and format it as FAT 32.

[Cisco Kid]

I never mentioned that my os is on the 5 gig partition. How can I format it but not lose data on the 5 gig partition??

Cisco Kid

[Yodums]

OK...

You tried Partition Magic right? Hmmmm maybe that could be the problem, your not using it right.

Either than that I don't think you can convert it back to FAT because you'll obviously need a utlity.

[turd]

i guess i dont understand so try again. if u have two partitions one 5 and one 55 u will yes format only one partition. using the setup option from the bootable Xp(because we are talking about xp)CD. when you go to set up with xp it will recognize the 5 gig partition and what it is and the 55 gig partion. xp will then provide u with install options which are basically delete either 1 or both and then will again id your disk. depending on what u did u will have some empty space which xp will ask u how u want to format for the ensuning install. fat or ntfs. it will then format how u want. where u want cause u dont have to use the whole 55. then begain set up. Without touching that 5 gigs xp will setup, recognize the 5gig during the process and write a dual boot.inni. when u boot u select. u cannot read ntfs from fat but u can read fat from ntfs and ntfs from ntfs this is important only because if you are setting up the new partition in fat and the 5 gig is ntfs, then if xp does screwup the dual boot u, will not be able to retrive the data from the ntfs partition.(easily) if your new partition is going to be formated in ntfs then u pretty much have no worries.
hope this helps, if u explain more, i or someone would help more

[rocknindy]

If the 55 gig is what you want to format, format it in windows as long as it's not the OS partion your ok

[Cisco Kid]

Used Win98 boot disk.

Then fdisk, deleted the partiton, formatted it and converted it to ntfs and installed XP clean.

All works great, thank you.

Cisco Kid:)

btw the os was on the 55gig partition that I was trying to format and replace

[el]

um you could do this in xp's GUI interface

Admin tools -> disk management adn select the options you want wait about 12minutes for 55gig partition and it is done.