Sams Teach Yourself MCSE Windows NT Server 4 in 14 Days
(Publisher: Macmillan Computer Publishing)
Author(s): David Schaer, et al
ISBN: 0672311283
Publication Date: 12/15/97

Use of the CONVERT utility is a one-way procedure. The CONVERT utility can convert only from FAT to NTFS. To convert an NTFS volume to FAT you must back up the data, format the volume as FAT, and then restore the data from the backup.

You initialize the conversion process from the command prompt as demonstrated in Figure 5.13 by typing CONVERT <drive letter> /FS:NTFS. The present file system is determined as well as available space needed for the conversion.

Figure 5.13.  Using the CONVERT utility to change the file system of the F drive from FAT to NTFS.

Converting the system partition on dual boot systems will prevent DOS from properly initializing.

If the system is unable to gain exclusive control of the drive to be converted you can schedule the conversion to occur at the time of the next reboot. In the case of the system or boot partitions and of drives that are in use, conversion must occur during the boot process. NT determines whether scheduling the conversion is necessary and if so prompts the user.

5.6. Understanding Partitions

Before you format a hard drive you must partition it to create logical boundaries. A single hard drive can contain up to four partitions; either four primary partitions or three primaries and one extended partition.

5.6.1. Primary Partitions

Only primary partitions can be used as system partitions. The system partition is the partition that holds the files required to boot NT. These files are boot.ini, ntldr, and ntdetect.com on x86-based systems. On x86-based systems only one primary partition can be marked as active; it will be the partition from which the system will attempt to boot. RISC-based computers do not require you to mark the system partition as active because they boot from firmware.

On x86-based computers the system and boot partitions can be formatted as either FAT or NTFS.

The system partition on RISC-based computers must be formatted with FAT. A special option in Disk Administrator for RISC-based computers enables you to secure the system partition even though it is FAT. This right is granted only to members of the administrators group.

Because NT will support a maximum of four partitions per physical disk it is important to plan space usage properly. It is possible to reach the four-partition maximum before you use all the free space on a drive. Figure 5.14 shows the error that is returned by the Disk Administrator when you try to exceed the four-partition maximum.

Figure 5.14.  Attempting to exceed the four-partition maximum on physical disk 0.

A total of four partitions are allowed per physical disk.

5.6.2. Extended Partitions

Notice that in Figure 5.14 two areas of free space still exist, a 98MB area and a 551MB area. The 551MB area is wasted space because no additional partitions can be created. The 98MB area is contained within an extended partition and can still accommodate logical drives as shown in Figure 5.15.

Figure 5.15.  Extended partitions can contain multiple logical drives.

Only one extended partition is allowed per physical disk. A single logical drive can use the entire extended partition or up to four logical drives can receive portions of the area.

Only one extended partition is allowed per physical drive but it can hold multiple logical drives.

Regardless of the number of logical drives created on an extended partition, the entire extended partition is counted as one of the four potential partitions per physical disk. Each logical drive will, however, receive a partition number for identification purposes during the boot phase. NT identifies each partition and logical drive on extended partitions with a partition number. Physical partitions are numbered beginning with 1 before the logical drives are assigned numbers. In Figure 5.16 the logical drive D is assigned a partition number of 2 because it is the second partition on the drive.

Figure 5.16.  Disk Administrator showing the partitions on Disk 0.

Be especially careful when the NT boot files have been installed on a logical drive. Adding additional primary partitions on the same physical disk will change the partition number assigned to logical drives. The boot.ini file in the root of the system partition identifies the boot partition by number. The boot.ini file of NTMASTER currently identifies the boot partition as partition 2 as shown in Figure 5.17; this is logical drive D.

Figure 5.17.  The boot.ini file shows that the boot files are on partition 2, which is a logical drive.

When an additional physical partition is added as in Figure 5.18 the logical drive is reassigned the partition number of 3. If you fail to edit the boot.ini file, the system will not boot.

Figure 5.18.  The addition of another primary partition changes the number of the extended partition from 2 to 3.

5.7. The Disk Administrator

You use the Disk Administrator tool to manage physical disks and partitions on NT. It is used to add, delete, and format partitions. It is also used to create mirrors, striping sets, and volume sets.

5.7.1. Adding Partitions

Partitions can be defined using the Disk Administrator program from areas of free disk space. By selecting an area of free space and right clicking on it you are given the option to create a primary or extended partition as shown in Figure 5.19.

Figure 5.19.  Partitions are created from areas of free space.