Convert.exe Hangs Attempting to Convert a Drive to NTFS

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to convert an Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) drive from the FAT or FAT32 file system to the NTFS file system, Convert.exe may stop responding (hang) after displaying status information similar to the following sample information:

The type of file system is FAT.
Determining disk space required for file system conversion.
Total disk space: 1951866 KB.
Free Space on Volume: 1625152 KB.
Space required for conversion 11120 KB.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the IDE drive to be converted does not require a reboot in order to be converted. If the drive to be converted requires a reboot to be converted to NTFS, Autoconv.exe is used during the reboot process. This works because the problem is with Convert.exe.

Another possible cause is a faulty IDE controller or cable, or a failing hard disk.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue:

1. Close the command prompt that is running Convert.exe. This stops the hanging problem.



2. Start a new command prompt.



3. Change to the drive to be converted. This opens a handle to the drive, so exclusive access cannot be gained by Convert.exe. This causes you to be prompted to schedule the drive to be converted the next time the system is restarted. This hands off the conversion process from Convert.exe to Autoconv.exe.



4. Run Convert.exe again. When you reboot, the drive is converted.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv kbtool
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb