Using Partition Magic's CONVERT to change from FAT to HPFS: CHKDSK and FixPaks

Partition Magic's ability to convert a large partition from FAT to HPFS very quickly (380M in under 10 minutes) is attractive and justified my purchase. When I used it, I learned some things about the importance of doing things in the correct sequence. This file describes what what I would to to make the procedure smoother if I had to do it again. I assume here a stringent case: converting a bootable one-partition disk from FAT to HPFS. You'll have to be prepared to boot and reboot from floppies. Finally,this account is carefully prepared but it reflects only a single experience. Your mileage may vary.

1. The PM documentation contains several admonitions to back up your data before starting the program. Heed these. If you don't have backup facilities, borrow or buy some. You'll need them anyway.

2. Run CHKDSK/F.

3. If you haven't applied Fixpaks through at least FP11, do so BEFORE running Convert. This is essential. The PM README dated 5-15-96 contains a vague paragraph about SYS0549 errors. The real situation is more complex:  The old form of CHKDSK, when operating on PM's style of HPFS, may report spurious errors and/or may be unable to correct real errors. Having a clean report from CHKDSK is a prerequisite for applying Fixpaks. Avoid this dilemma by applying the FixPaks first, then backing up your data. Be sure your system is completely stable and backed up before running Convert.

4. Use the Create Utility function to create a set of three boot disks. The final step in Convert requires re-booting, and DOS won't be able to see your new HPFS partition. Don't rely on pre-FP disks. Make new ones. Test these new boot disks to be sure they actually work.

5. Make a special PM disk containing PQMAGICT, plus the following files from your updated (post FIxPak) Warp: SYSINSTX.COM;  VIOCALLS.DLL; NLS.DLL; MSG.DLL; UHPFS.DLL. You'll need them to smoothly complete the final phase of executing Convert.

6. Just before you boot from your floppy, edit CONFIG.SYS to add the IFS line at the top.

7. If you boot from a DOS floppy, PQMAGICD will present a much prettier display than it does in OS/2 with PQMAGICT. In any case where you're converting a boot partition, you'll still need the OS/2 boot disk(s) mentioned above to finish up, though.

8. Now initiate the Convert procedure as described in the PM documentation.  At the end, when you're told to copy some files to the root directory, you may be able to run them from the floppy in your A drive. You'll finish more quickly and smoothly.

9. Expect to recover lost clusters amounting to as much as a quarter or more of your HD. Things will execute faster, too.

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