Convert FAT32 to ext3?

[Allen Taylor]

On Tue, Aug 16, 2005 at 05:08:33PM -0400, Francois Ouellette wrote:
> Nice idea, but FAT32 does not indicate file placement information!
> 
> After deleting files it may well be that a file still occupies space at the
> physical end of the partition...
> Only a defrag job would move files to the beginning, adding to the time of
> the whole process.
> 
>   François Ouellette
> <fouellet-cpI+UMyWUv9BDgjK7y7TUQ at public.gmane.org>

I'm pretty sure I've used parted to shrink FAT32 partitions without
defragging first. Parted apparently "knows" the file structure for FAT32
(and others) and will move files as needed. 

As usual, any activity involving changing the size/structure of a disk
partition is subject to some (small) risk. If the data is important, so
are backups. :-)

Allen

 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lennart Sorensen" <lsorense-1wCw9BSqJbv44Nm34jS7GywD8/FfD2ys at public.gmane.org>
> To: <tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, 16 August, 2005 16:59
> Subject: Re: [TLUG]: Convert FAT32 to ext3?
> 
> 
> > On Mon, Aug 15, 2005 at 10:34:16AM -0400, Steve wrote:
> > > I have a large FAT32 partition with still a bunch of stuff on it, that I
> > > want to convert to ext3. Is this possible, keeping the data on it? I'm
> > > trying to avoid burning onto a bunch of DVDs!
> >
> > Assuming the filesystem is not full but has some space left, you could
> > try something like:
> >
> > 1: Shrink FAT32 filesystem with a partition resizing tool as much as
> >    you can, then create a new partition in the free space and make an ext3
> >    filesystem there,  Move as many files as you can from fat32 to ext3.
> > . . .
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