Convert NTFS to FAT32

I'm trying to convert an NTFS partition into FAT32, but not succeding. No reason is given, bu when trying this in Partition Magic I get this error message:

"#1681 Data is compressed or sparse
The NTFS file system cannot be converted to FAT or FAT32 because a file has
been compressed. The conversion cannot run unless all files are decompressed."

Can anyone explain to me?

 

One or more of your files are compressed. If you view them in Windows Explorer, compressed files usually are colored blue. If you can find any, uncompress them first before trying the conversion. Do this by right-clicking on the file (or folder) that is compressed and choosing "Properties" then "Advanced".

 

Sorry alti after a partition or volume has been converted to NTFS you cannot convert back to FAT or FAT32 without backing up data on the NTFS partition or volume then reformatting the partition(volume) as FAT or FAT32 and then restore data to the newly formatted volume(partition).

 

leb243:

Your comment is correct if you use Windows tools which only offer a one-way conversion from FAT32 to NTFS. However, the OP was asking about Partition Magic, which can convert both ways - from FAT32 to NTFS and from NTFS to FAT32.

 

Right, sorry, have not used PM for years, I don't know if this will help or if you have checked the PM help faq's site, it also talks about the compressed file problem.

#1681 Data is compressed or sparse
There are compressed or sparse files on an NTFS file system that is being converted to FAT. Since FAT does not support sparse files and the compression technique used by Windows NT/2000/XP on the FAT file system is different than that used with NTFS, the compressed and sparse files would be unreadable if the conversion were performed.

When this error occurs on a Windows XP system, you can often fix the problem by disabling the Windows System Restore feature. To do this, right-click My Computer, select Properties, click the System Restore tab, and place a mark in the checkbox next to Turn off System Restore on all drives.

If the error occurs on a Windows NT or Windows 2000 system, or if turning off System Restore in XP does not solve the problem, perform the following:
1. In Windows, open a command prompt window.
2. Change to the root directory of the affected drive.
3. Type the following at the command prompt:

compact /u /s /a /i /f *.*

This command uncompresses all the files in the partition you run it on. Consequently, you should have ample free space in the partition to accommodate the larger file sizes. Also, depending on how many files are compressed, this process can be quite time consuming. If you need to abort the process at any point, press Ctrl+C inside the command prompt window.
4. After the uncompression process is complete, perform a search for the file EGA.CPI.
5. When you find the file, right-click on it, select Properties, click Advanced, and verify that the file is uncompressed.
You should now be able to perform the file system conversion without getting Error 1681. If you still receive the error, try locating and uncompressing the particular file that is referenced in the Error 1681 message by its FRS number (the first number that is not enclosed in parentheses). To do this:
1. Download the file BTIni.zip, then unzip the file.
2. Copy the Btini.exe file from the directory where you unzipped the BTIni.zip file to a floppy diskette.
3. Boot to the PartitionMagic rescue disk 1.
4. When prompted for disk 2, insert the floppy diskette containing Btini.exe, and press Enter.
5. Press Ctrl+C to halt the rescue disk batch process.
6. At the command prompt, type the following:

btini /show

This command displays the partition ID for the NTFS partition.
7. Type the following:

btini /frs <partition ID for the NTFS partition>:<FRSnumber displayed in the Error 1681 message>

This command returns the file name associated with the FRS number referenced in the Error 1681 message.
8. Reboot the computer to Windows, and search for the file reported by BTINI.
9. Uncompress or unencrypt the file.

You can also copy the file to another location and then delete it from its original location. After PartitionMagic has completed the conversion operation, you may then copy the file back to its original location.

For more information on using the BTINI utility, please see BTini and PQfile syntax and uses.

If Error 1681 is still reported after you have tried all the preceding steps, then reboot Windows, search for compressed files manually using Windows Explorer, and uncompress the files you find. For instructions on how to do this, see Uncompressing files in Windows NT, 2000, and XP.