[NTLUG:Discuss] Can I convert a vfat partition to ext2?

[Daniel Hauck]

The primary advantage that would drive me away from a FAT drive system is
sector allocation efficiency.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Ingendorf" <pauldy at wantek.net>
To: <discuss at ntlug.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 8:11 PM
Subject: RE: [NTLUG:Discuss] Can I convert a vfat partition to ext2?



1.) Yes if you have the module for vfat compiled in or loaded or the
autoloading compiled in and the module in the appropriate path.
2.) Permissions also the stability of the driver.  I have seen a few issues
where the fs has become corrupted after doing things that seemed fine under
ext2 but vfat didn't like.
3.) The advantages could be with a journaling file system such as reiser or
ext3 or sgi's xfs.  I don't see many advantages to just moving a drive to
ext2 with the exception of quotas, and speed.  Someone correct me if I'm
wrong but I don't think there is any support for quotas on a umsdos like
partition.

Also for the original question there is not currently to my knowledge an
easy way to do this.  Versions of partition magic exist that support ext2
type partitions.  However you would have to create a partition in the unused
portion of your drive move some files over then lower your vfat part and
increase the ext2 partition and reboot. You would repeat these steps until
you have converted all your files to the ext2 partition.  The risk for data
corruption here is high.  So if you have other means for removing the data
and storing it temporarily you would be better off doing that.  But if your
against a wall and looking for a solution try partition magic.

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-admin at ntlug.org [mailto:discuss-admin at ntlug.org]On Behalf
Of Fred James
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 5:56 PM
To: discuss at ntlug.org
Subject: Re: [NTLUG:Discuss] Can I convert a vfat partition to ext2?


I'll ask the dumb questions as long as we're on the subject - we could
all stand to learn - All of this assuming the samba server:
(1) Cannot Linux see vfat file systems?
(2) Would there be any need to convert the vfat drive to ext2?
(3) If there isn't any need, is there an advantage.
Thanks in advance.


Daniel Hauck wrote:

> Yes, but not without reformatting.  So copy the data somewhere else. :)
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>
>     From: Courtney Grimland <mailto:cgrimland at yahoo.com>
>
>     To: discuss at ntlug.org <mailto:discuss at ntlug.org>
>
>     Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 3:58 PM
>
>     Subject: [NTLUG:Discuss] Can I convert a vfat partition to ext2?
>
>
>     I'm beginning to migrate all of my home network to Linux, mostly as
>     a learning experience.
>
>
>
>     I moved my drive that I store all my mp3's from my Windows computer
>     over to a Linux box, and set up Samba to share it (so my roommates
>     and I can all share it).  Problem is, it is a Win98 partition (vfat)
>     and I want to make it ext2.  Can I do this?  Google searches didn't
>     turn up any helpful information.
>


--
...make every program a filter...


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