Just added an external HDD. The thing comes formatted as FAT32. I went to convert it to NTFS under the command prompt. The question is what is the volume number that it is asking me?

I would recommend that if you haven't yet written any data to that drive that you delete the Fat32 partition and create a new partition using all available space and then format using NTFS. The reason for this is the conversion process may result in non standard cluster sizes that may not be desirable.

Excuse me OtheHill, I haven't the slightest idea what you just asked me to do. I thought that this was going to be a real simple process for a simple mind like mine. No one said that you had to do to anything other than convert from FAT32 to NTFS using the command prompt. Well, I tried that and it asks for a volume number---what is that? I have not even used the new HDD yet.

The answer to that question may be none. I am explaining that if you want to get the best use and least trouble from this drive, I suggest that you make a new NTFS partition instead of converting the existing partition. Perhaps a WinXP user can step in here to explain how to delete and create and then format a partition under WinXP. If you don't do as I suggested the drive will still function. I just feel it would be better. Converting from FAT32 to NTFS isn't something done too often. I would guess the the volumn number may be 1 or none. If your response isn't acceptable the conversion simply won't proceed.

Since you are using XP I suggest the following.

Connect the drive to your computer and make sure it is detected in my computer. Once you see the drive go ahead and close My Computer.

Next Left click on My Computer and select Manage. Once Computer Management is open Click on Disk Management. Under Volume you will see a list of your drives.

Select your removable drive Left click on it and check Format. Follow the little wizzard and choose NTFS. Most of this should be self explanitory. If you need more help click Help and find Disk Management, How too..., Manage Basic Volumes, Format a basic volume.

I too suggest reformatting to NTFS instead of converting it.

Also Remember the drive will not work on any 95, 98 or Me machines once you change to NTFS.

ASUS A7V8X
AMD XP 2700+ 2.17ghz
768mb ddr 2700
nVidia 128mb FX 5200
WD 80gb SE
DVD R/RW

Okay Guys, thanks for the help. I'll give it a shot here and see how it goes. I'll get back to let you know what happened.

Chad- okay got to the format window with no problem. The question I have now I guess has to do with personal choice? There are two boxes to check or uncheck. The first box asks: perform a quick format. The second box asks: enable file and folder compression. What would you do? What is a quick format vs a long format? Wouldn't you want files and folders to be able to be compressed?

One more question before I proceed. What about the Allocation unit size? Should I set it to default or enter a figure size?

I wouln't use compression. I would do a complete format and use the default cluster size, which is 4kb.

Okay, format is in progress. I didn't know that it would be so slow.

It took a while to format but it finally finished. I must have done it right, the cluster size is at 4 KB.

Well your all set to go.