Partitioning problems

[Guest]

Hi -
I'm attempting to reformat my computer from XP home to Pro. However, when
set-up requires me to partition my drive, my only choice was NTSF, w/ FAT32
not even listed. I have a 75GB HD. My wife recently reformatted her computer
and FAT32 was listed for her. She chose not to partition (C: is all FAT32),
but I have since heard that it may be better to put windows components and
programs on the 1st, more faster accessing partition, while other "storage"
type files to be on the second (D: ?). Again, FAT32 is not even an option for
me at all. However, I'm completely lost on what to do and how much GB's to
alot to each even if it was a choice. Secondly, when I installed windows with
NTSF, I have an ASPI problem that requires me to use a DOS command prompt to
install a fix - which has proved unsuccessful through a Windows Dos command
(not even the ASPI check will report any results and said it failed).
Congruently, I also heard that FAT32 is the only file sys that is compatible
with DOS. Is there a connection? Please, please help me figure out this mess.
Thanks a lot for any help in advance.

 

[Jerry]

Boot from a Win98, SE or ME floppy; run FDISK to create FAT32 partitions of
whatever size(s) you want. Format all the partitions. Reboot using the XP CD
and the partitions should now be available.

 

[Edward W. Thompson]

WINXP will not offer to format FAT32 if the HDD (partition) is larger than
32GB. You can format partitions larger than 32GB by using a floppy to boot
to DOS and use fdisk. You will now be able to install WINXP. Alternatively,
create a partition smaller than 32GB using the WINXP CD and then you can
format it FAT32 and install WINXP.