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I cannot convert my partition to FAT32 under Windows 98.
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When you attempt to convert a partition on your disk drive to the FAT32 file system, you may receive the following error message:
"The drive converter cannot convert a drive with a bad cluster mark."
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This behavior can occur if one or more of the clusters (sectors) on your disk drive are either damaged or corrupted. The Drive Converter (FAT32) tool does not convert a disk drive to FAT32 if it detects bad clusters.
The Windows 98 FAT32 conversion utility will run SCANDISK prior to converting the partition and it may detect and repair any defective clusters. In the event that a cluster is not repaired it is recommended that you perform the following:
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Backup ALL of your data!
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If you have an ATA drive: Erase the drive using the DataEraser or an equivalent format utility.
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If you have a SCSI drive: Use either the low-level format routine supplied by the SCSI host adapter or a format utility.
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Re-install Windows 98 and restore your data from the backup you created in step 1.
Notes:
Microsoft is advising customers to replace the drive if the conversion utility detects a bad cluster. The SCANDISK utility does not always repair clusters marked as bad and the invalid sector or block in the cluster may in fact be corrected if re-written. The SCSI low-level format routine in the SCSI host adapter or the DataEraser utility can often fix these errors.
After erasing the drive and before restoring your backup, please run a low level diagnostic program to verify the disk drive's operational integrity (such as QDPS).
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