Err Msg: Drive Converter Unable to Find the Drive Partition (195941)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q195941
If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/w98?sid=460

SYMPTOMS

When you try to use the Microsoft Drive Converter (FAT32) tool to convert a drive from the FAT16 file system to the FAT32 file system, you may receive the following error message:
Drive converter unable to find the drive partition.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if you try to convert a FAT16 logical drive that begins above the 8 gigabyte (GB) point. For example, this can occur if you have a 10 GB hard disk, with five 2 GB FAT16 partitions, and you try to convert your fifth drive (typically drive G) to FAT32.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, delete all of your partitions above the 8 GB point, and then re-create your partitions. To do so, use the following steps:

WARNING: If you perform the following steps, all data on the specific partition or drive will be deleted. Microsoft recommends you back up your data before you perform the following steps. For information about how to back up data, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, type "backup" (without quotation marks), and then click Display.

  1. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt.
  2. At the command prompt, type "fdisk" (without quotation marks), press Y when you are prompted to enable large disk support, and then press ENTER.
  3. Press 4, and then press ENTER.
  4. Press Y, and then press ENTER. Note the partition information for all of the drives listed on this screen, and then press ESC.
  5. Press 3, press ENTER, press 3, and then press ENTER.
  6. Press the letter that corresponds with the last drive listed in the extended partition, and then press ENTER. For example, on a 10 GB drive with five 2 GB partitions, this is drive G, and this is also the only drive listed as FAT16.
  7. Type the volume label displayed to the left of the drive letter exactly as it is displayed, and then press ENTER.
  8. Press Y, press ENTER, press ESC, and then press ESC.
  9. Press 1, press ENTER, press 3, and then press ENTER.
  10. When you are prompted to use all of the remaining available disk space, press Y, and then press ENTER.
  11. Press ESC to exit FDISK, type "exit" (without quotation marks), and then press ENTER.
  12. Restart your computer.
  13. Double-click My Computer, right-click drive G, and then click Format.
  14. Click Full, click Start, and then click OK.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/8/2006
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB195941
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.