Reformatting and System Restore.

Another question about the new hard disk I posted about here:
Let me be sure I've got this right...

I want to convert the primary C: disk from FAT32 to NFTS format, and I figure I might as well do the job properly. This means losing all the data but that's okay, I'll do a full backup in advance of that.

Will the full reformat erase the OS as well?
If it does, given the problems I had before, I might have to rely on the System Restore from the hidden partition. Will that recognise the change of format? If it won't, then the whole exercise becomes rather pointless.

A format erases all data. Or to be more precise just allows it to be overwritten. Nothing will be retained save the Boot Sector.

If your recovery drive sets up the FAT32 then you cannot change that from the recovery. It will reinstall in FAT32. Unless it gives you an option and not knowing the specific computer I cannot say if you will have the option but you should.

However you can change the format from XP as seen here:

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php

Damme. Well, at least I'm learning enough to anticipate problems.
Information at that link is rather more detailed than what I get from the help page here on my own computer jehpree. The business about needing to change the size of the clusters isn't mentioned in the basic help page and in fact the clusters are only mentioned in passing at the end of the article.

Here are more guides to convert within the existing system:

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...ert+fat32+ntfs

If you want to start from scratch you should be given the option of file system type during the reinstall.

As mentioned this will remove all data and start the computer from scratch.

'Converting' is the easier option but also the second-best choice. An entire reformat is recommended; converting seems to be just a halfway measure. But thanks again.

During the installation setup of a MS XP you are offered your choice of file systems during the format phase.

A recovery partition will be in FAT32 but you should have the option to pick your file system during the installation setup.

Okay. Mission Accomplished!
There were a few interesting aspects of the exercise I thought I'd share here.

First, Paragon Partition Manager was no help in converting the disk. Not due to any flaw of its own, but my reinstall options, from the hidden partition and via the recovery disks, both automatically selected FAT32 format. If either of them offered me the option of NTFS I must have blinked and missed it. So I used convert.exe in the end after all. Well, it worked.

The program at the link jephree posted above is worth having, although in my case I think the tech who fixed my earlier problems must have realigned the sectors. It was done in just a few minutes.

Here's a weird one: all throughout the conversion process I was able to use my wireless Labtec keyboard and mouse. Normally I have to dig out the original Acer USB parts to do anything. Since I'd wiped off all the programming and drivers, this has me seriously confused!

Paragon couldn't help me with the conversion, but it did reallocate disk space without any hassles. The C: disk now has an extra 100GB, and the D: an extra 50. No problems.

The hidden partition still shows quite a chunk of storage space as used, but when I tried to restore to an earlier setting (I was hoping to get back a couple of lost items) it did nothing. It could restore to original settings but that's all. Any ideas how I might get access to the restore, if it still exists?

There have been a few annoying changes in the display, and one by one I'm sorting them out. But the closing screen has changed from the three buttons format to the dropdown menu format. Also, I'm getting the sign on with password screen at opening. I'm not sure what I did to bring them on.

If you are talking about XP's System Restore you can reset it by right clicking My Computer then click Properties then System Restore.

Turn it off then back on. This resets it but also deletes any previous Restore Points.

If you are talking about some Acer feature I am not familiar with it.


You need to reinstall your graphics drivers if you have not.


The log on and off options are under Control Panel > User Accounts > Change the way users log on or off

Uncheck "Use the Welcome Screen".

Jephree, Acer computers have a hidden partition on the HDD which stores the default settings and also a restore setting. I learnt this last year when I had to use this method and it reloaded a heap of documents and pictures that I'd accidentally deleted about six months earlier.

I reinstalled the driver for the NVIDIA card I installed last year. Will there be others to install? There are some drivers listed on one of the Acer disks but I didn't reinstall any of them.

In general one installs the motherboard drivers after installing an operating system.

Perhaps they were included in the Acer Recovery.

Wouldn't hurt to run them from the disk but if everything is working Okay just leave it be.

I really don't know about the Acer setup. Anytime you alter partitions you risk data corruption.

Perhaps that Acer partition was susceptible to corruption if altered.

Contacting Acer might help. http://global.acer.com/support/index.htm