Recover lost file once file system is converted from FAT to NTFS

Windows users always look forward on improving the performance and optimizing the consumption of system resources. In order to improve the system performance, File Allocation Table (FAT) file system users convert their hard drive file system to NTFS (New Technology File System) hoping for some more disk space as FAT uses more space than NTFS. NTFS offers improved performance, encryption, disk space consumption, security and speed of data transfer.

Microsoft offers a nice tool known as convert.exe for converting hard drive or partition file system from FAT to NTFS. However, it is always suggested that the user always keeps a backup of data stored in the storage drive in advance as data loss might just strike right after FAT to NTFS conversion. However to recover lost file in such cases when there is no valid updated backup, the user need to have an advanced recover lost file software. In such a similar instance, a user having Windows XP performs the following command for converting hard drive file system from FAT to NTFS

convert drive: /fs:ntfs

After Windows XP completes the conversion easily and user restarts the computer, he encounters the following error message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: System32DriversNtfs.sys"

The reason behind the above mentioned error message is corruption of ntfs.sys file while performing conversion from FAT to NTFS. After the above mentioned error message appears, the data saved in the hard drive becomes inaccessible. In order to resolve this error, user needs to replace corrupt ntfs.sys file by following the steps given below:

1. User needs to utilize the Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD to restart the computer system.

2. When the “Welcome to Setup” screen appears on screen, press R to select Recovery Console option

3. If in case administrator password exists, enter the administrator password and press ENTER.

Important- In case of multi-boot system, select windows installation by entering apt number from windows installation directories

4. At command prompt, type these commands

cd windowssystem32drivers

ren ntfs.sys ntfs.old

5. After typing this, type the command given below and press ENTER:

copy CD:i386ntfs.sys Drive:windowssystem32drivers

Over here CD depicts the drive letter for the CD-ROM that comprises of Windows XP disk. Drive here displays the drive letter where Windows is installed

6. Remove Windows XP disk from CD-ROM and type quit at the command prompt and press ENTER to quit the Recovery Console

However, if you encounter the same error message again, then opt for a clean operating system reinstall. Formatting a hard drive might result in data loss from it. During such situations, users have to recover lost file using a nice FAT and NTFS data recovery tool.