External Hard Drive - File System... does it matter?

[Debi]

Hi!

I'm running XP Pro with NTFS File system.

I just bought an external hard drive (320GB) for back-up purposes.

It's already formatted FAT32 - should I leave it or Format to NTFS?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards,


Debi

 

[R. McCarty]

Depends on several conditions. Is it going to be used exclusively
with Windows XP machine(s) ? What purposes will you use the
drive ? and what types of data will be stored on it. At 320 Gig, I
would probably segment (Partition) it into several drives and use
each for a differing purpose. If it will be used on with XP then I
would use NTFS, as it is more resilient and a journaling format.
Backups can mean all sorts of things, so it's not real clear what it
will be used for.

 

[Tim Slattery]

Hi!

I'm running XP Pro with NTFS File system.

I just bought an external hard drive (320GB) for back-up purposes.

It's already formatted FAT32 - should I leave it or Format to NTFS?

There's one single FAT32 partition containing the entire 320GB?? I
suppose it's personal preference, but there's no way I'd keep a FAT32
partition that large. I'd convert it to NTFS, and maybe subdivide it
(a partition that large will take forever to check and defragment).

 

[Debi]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Basically, my PC & hard drive are on the way out (8 years old!) so in
preparation for my new machine I want to back-up/store all my Music, Photos,
Documents, Videos etc.

There's also quite a few programs that I purchased on-line that I downloaded
(No CD's) so I want to keep them too.

As the drive is USB I want to be able to connect to the PC at work (Some
running Windows 2000 and some on XP) and of course I can bring it to my
brother to connect to his machine to share info as appropriate.

I agree that Partition would be best... I'll have to think how best to split
it!

Regards,

Debi

 

[Ron Martell]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Basically, my PC & hard drive are on the way out (8 years old!) so in
preparation for my new machine I want to back-up/store all my Music, Photos,
Documents, Videos etc.

There's also quite a few programs that I purchased on-line that I downloaded
(No CD's) so I want to keep them too.

As the drive is USB I want to be able to connect to the PC at work (Some
running Windows 2000 and some on XP) and of course I can bring it to my
brother to connect to his machine to share info as appropriate.

I agree that Partition would be best... I'll have to think how best to split
it!

Regards,

Debi

FAT32 partitions should not be larger than 128 gb (binary).


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

 

[Plato]

I'm running XP Pro with NTFS File system.

I just bought an external hard drive (320GB) for back-up purposes.
It's already formatted FAT32 - should I leave it or Format to NTFS?

Leave it in fat32. That way, one can use it to get data back if you have
to connect it to a win98 PC.

 

[Jonny]

Sounds like a smorgasbord of various file sizes. Bet there is a zillion
photos of very small comparative sizes. And video eating GBs at a time.
And everything in between.

If you're in the habit of sharing make part of it FAT32, remainder NTFS.
Put the sharing stuff in the FAT32 partition. That way you don't have to
concern yourself with sharing. In fact, label this partition "sharing" for
effect.

The sharees mentioned to date should have no problem with XP's version of
NTFS. Read the note here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310749

It happens, NTFS problems:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315688

Special folder/file permission in XP Pro:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308419
--
Lil' Dave

Thanks for the quick replies!

Basically, my PC & hard drive are on the way out (8 years old!) so in
preparation for my new machine I want to back-up/store all my Music, Photos,
Documents, Videos etc.

There's also quite a few programs that I purchased on-line that I downloaded
(No CD's) so I want to keep them too.

As the drive is USB I want to be able to connect to the PC at work (Some
running Windows 2000 and some on XP) and of course I can bring it to my
brother to connect to his machine to share info as appropriate.

I agree that Partition would be best... I'll have to think how best to split
it!

Regards,

Debi

 

[simon]

Sounds like a smorgasbord of various file sizes. Bet there is a zillion
photos of very small comparative sizes. And video eating GBs at a time.
And everything in between.

If you're in the habit of sharing make part of it FAT32, remainder NTFS.
Put the sharing stuff in the FAT32 partition. That way you don't have to
concern yourself with sharing. In fact, label this partition "sharing" for
effect.

The sharees mentioned to date should have no problem with XP's version of
NTFS. Read the note here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310749

It happens, NTFS problems:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315688

Special folder/file permission in XP Pro:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308

IMHO, sSeparating/partitioning using FAT and NTFS is a good idea and
it works well. It also allows the USB Cable to connect to W99/X
machines and have the drive recognized and used.
Joe