Newcomers to the MediaSmart Server may encounter a strange message when they install the Home Server Connector software on their computer. This message can occur when the software goes to set up the automatic backup process, and states that your computer uses an incompatible file format for backup or "Windows Home Server can only backup NTFS drives."

In fact, this message graced the computer screen of my wife's laptop when I went to set it up with the MediaSmart Server. Being a bit of a computer nerd, I instantly knew what the problem was, but hadn't realized the ACER laptop (which runs Windows XP Home edition) was formatted with the age old FAT32 file system.

For those a who are a little less tech savvy, Windows XP has the option of formatting the internal hard drive in one of two file formats upon install. If your computer was purchased at retail and preinstalled with Windows XP from the factory, it's possible that your computer was formatted with the older FAT32 file system, as I discovered this laptop was. For most things, you probably wouldn't notice the difference between the two, even though NTFS offers several benefits that FAT32 doesn't offer. If you want to read more about these file systems, you can learn more in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

As a side note, if you're running Windows Vista and only have a single primary volume, you won't see this message. Windows Vista will only install to a NTFS volume.

Considering that most XP users will be running a single OS enviornment (not a multi-boot setup with an older operating system) and that all the software you're running isn't from 1991, there is little (if any reason) to use FAT32 on your Windows XP volumes.

Cutting to the chase, you want to be able to use the automatic backup feature on your Windows XP computer, but this whole "FAT32" problem is standing in your way. There are two ways to solve this problem:

1. Backup your data to an external drive, reformat your hard drive, and reload Windows XP from scratch. Of course, this is technically the 'best' way of doing it, but it's a lot of work and anything not backed up will be lost when you reformat your hard drive. Fortunately, there's a much easier way...


2. Windows XP has a utility that allows you to convert your hard drive volume file system from FAT32 to NTFS. You won't find it in the start menu, but with a few quick command line keystrokes, you can be up and running on NTFS... WITHOUT having to completely reformat and restore your computer from scratch.

How To Convert from FAT32 to NTFS

Before you begin, it is recommended to backup your important files to an external hard drive or another computer. The convert process will work 99.9% of the time without fail, but it's always a good precaution. It's also important to note that this process is NOT reversible. If there is a valid reason why you need to run FAT32 (dual-boot with an older OS or a really old, but vital software program) you should look into it further before you proceed. Again, for the vast majority of users, there will be nothing standing in your way.

Step 1: Verify your file system is FAT32

In order to do this, click on Start --> My Computer. Single left click on your hard drive icon. In a window to the left, it will give you details on the drive, including what the file system is (if you don't have the handy side windows in view, right click on the hard drive icon and select Properties.)

If you have more than one hard drive or partition, you'll need to check each of them, and repeat the conversion process for all volumes you wish to be backed up by the MediaSmart Server. Make a note of all the drive letters that you need to convert. For most, it will only be the C: drive, but if you have other local partitions with data you want backed up to the MediaSmart Server jot down the drive letters for those as well.

Step 2: Open the command line console

Click on the Start button, then select the "Run" command. This will open a small box with a text field. In this field, type 'cmd' without the quotes and press enter.

If successful, you'll be greeted by the command console (remember what DOS computers looked like back in the day?), which is where we'll do the rest of our work.

Step 3: Enter the convert command

Now that we're in the command console, you'll need to enter in the command that will convert the drives. Make sure you type in the command exactly as it's shown (replace 'X:' with the drive letter you need to convert:

CONVERT X: /FS:NTFS

On each, you will likely be prompted that the drive needs to be dismounted in order to the conversion and will be forced to choose Y or N. When this prompt appears, type Y and hit enter. If the drive can be dismounted by the system and converted without restarting (likely for secondary drives and non-system partitions) it will proceed with the conversion. Depending on the amount of data present and the size of the disk, the conversion will take between 2 and 15 minutes.

When converting your primary system drive, you'll be told told that it cannot convert the drive without restarting and if you'd like to schedule it to convert on your next boot. Select yes to schedule the conversion, then restart your computer. Again, it will take a little time for the conversion to finish.

Step 4: Schedule your automatic backups

Now that you've gotten your disks converted to NTFS, you'll be able to schedule your automatic image backups with Windows Home Server. It only takes a minute to get it all set up.

Log in to the Home Server Admin Console and select the Computers and Backup tab. Right click on the computer you wish to schedule automatic backups for, and select "Configure backup." Follow the easy prompts to configure your backups and you'll be all set.