FAT32 vs NTFS

[J. Michael Morse]

When I installed XP, I chose to keep the FAT32. I tried re installing XP but
was not given the option this time. How do I get XP to prompt me for this
option when I put in my XP cd?

Thanks

Michael

 

[Mike Brearley]

You can convert to NTFS by going to a command prompt and typing:
convert c: /FS:NTFS

replace c: with whatever drive you wish to convert.

--
Posted 'as is'. If there are any spelling and/or grammar mistakes, they
were a direct result of my fingers and brain not being synchronized or my
lack of caffeine.

Mike Brearley

 

[Patrick Keenan]

When I installed XP, I chose to keep the FAT32. I tried re installing XP but
was not given the option this time. How do I get XP to prompt me for this
option when I put in my XP cd?

Thanks

Michael

If you re-partitioned the drive as part of the re-install, and if your
partition is larger than, IIRC around 40 gig, you will not have the option
to format as NTFS. You would have to format with a Win98 or ME boot disk
to get FAT32 in this case.

HTH
-pk

 

[Derek]

I have two volumes that are 32GB+ and I have formated to NTFS. The question
is the Volume that I set aside for the OS is only a 6GB partition, and does
it make any sense to convert this to NTFS from Fat32. I know I there is no
operating advantage as in the larger volumes, so is there any reason to go
ahead with the conversion or would one just leave it as Fat32.

 

[Alex Nichol]

When I installed XP, I chose to keep the FAT32. I tried re installing XP but
was not given the option this time. How do I get XP to prompt me for this
option when I put in my XP cd?

You only get that option if installing first time. What you do now is
convert the disk - see hints at www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm

 

[Mike Brearley]

Unless you have a need to boot to a DOS boot disk to access your 6gig
partition, then convert it to NTFS. There are many advantages to NTFS over
FAT32, data protection, security, etc etc...

--
Posted 'as is'. If there are any spelling and/or grammar mistakes, they
were a direct result of my fingers and brain not being synchronized or my
lack of caffeine.

Mike Brearley

 

[gadget]

Yes I agree with the advantages of NTFS....only one problem.. I have read
much about power fluctuations.. If you live in an area of power fluctuations
or interruptions, Fat32 may be better. I have no idea why, but I read that
NTFS suffers from file damage under these circumstances..
Anyone from Microsoft comment?
gadgetman

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

If you suffer from abrupt power outages, NTFS is definitely the
way to go. It is a journaling (a.k.a. transactional) file system, so
it is much less likely to loose any data that may have been "in
transit" at the time of a power loss. FAT32 has no fault tolerance
capabilities, whatsoever.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[gadget]

thanks
wow.. that is exactly opposite what i had read.
I am still running fat32 due to that fact. Many many power outages here.
Perhaps i have been fortunate so far.. Touching forehead as i type..
gadgetman

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Yes, it sounds like you've been lucky. Particularly since an
abrupt power outage can easily cause physical damage to the hard
drive, from which no file system is immune.

For more information on the differences between FAT32 and NTFS,
try some "light" reading:

FAT & NTFS File Systems in Windows XP
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfs.htm

Somewhat more technical information is here:

Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q314463

Choosing Between File Systems
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...prodtechnol/winntas/tips/techrep/filesyst.asp


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[gadget]

thanks Bruce
that is the exact info i needed... from what you sent - and the links..
now i have something to digest.
I run several computers on home network. I have laptop that i back up with
Iomega zip drive. And have another older laptop with win98 on it. BUT more
importantly i guess, i still have older scanner from visioneer that will not
run with XP. Seems they don't support new drivers any longer. So i am stuck
with dual boot of win98SE - winXP
But i must add this. I have been running computers for quite a few years,
and i have never seen an operating system as solid and stable as WinXP.
For the guy touting mellinium, ... i feel for him. My best guess is that he
has not tried XP, or he would not feel that way.
I have spoke with many who had problems with XP, but IMHO it is more
hardware issues, and driver issues, -- than o/s.
For anyone that has not tried it, i so highly reccomend it.
I have been running xp since building this computer early this year. NOT ONE
blue screen to date. Matter of fact i am not sure that it is possible to get
a BSOD with XP..
touching my head one more time.... (as in wood)

gadgetman

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You're welcome.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH