Upgrading To Xp

[DarthInsinuate]

Should i use NTFS or FAT32?

Would it be worthwhile to do a full format or just a quick one?

Thanks

[Enigma2003]

NTFS and if you have time, full format

[sunrat]

I usually do a full format to NTFS, the main advantage is security, especially if you're on a LAN or share your computer.
Some gamers say FAT32 is quicker, but the jury is still out. If you need access to files from Win98/Me , you need FAT32,, or at least 1 FAT32 partition.

[lady godiva]

ive used both fat 32 and ntfs usually fat is used for the smaller hdd and ntfs for larger ones althought ntfs is a bit slower than fat ive found

[Gooch2k]

NTFS for larger hard drives because it's more stable. I switched from FAT32 to NTFS and I haven't noticed any slow down. Go for a full format as well. sunrats right about the 98/ME files though. Hope this helps you out.

[DarthInsinuate]

Originally posted by sunrat@5 September 2003 - 10:46
If you need access to files from Win98/Me , you need FAT32, or at least 1 FAT32 partition.
does this mean i can't network a FAT computer with a NTFS computer?

[ooo]

nfts seems better w/ xp but fat32 wont take up as much space. since nfts happens to use up extra space for no reason... well no they use it up for backup purposes or something and nfts is an active drive, while fat32 is a unactive drive... which means that you cant parition nfts while your in windows since its dangerous...

but i would go w/ nfts your decision tho

[boyzeee]

ntfs will see a fat32 drive but not other way round. ie if you have your pc setup with your drive formatted to ntfs and you put in a slave drive that is fat32 your pc will see the drive and you will be able to access it but if you put an ntfs formatted drive in as a slave in a fat32 based pc it wont see the drive. networking two different pc's with one being ntfs and the other fat32 shouldnt be a problem. :D


edit... i would go for ntfs... its far more stable than fat32, stores the data more efficiently and has better security options like file encryption. ;)

[BabyGeniuses]

I've never had an issue with Fat32. NTFS seems strangely unstable with my laptop, which is why when ever I get the chance, I use Fat32. A lot of people seem to experience the reverse of that statement though, so in my case it may be my laptop. For networking though, you'll need to consider the already stated problems. NTFS drives can recognize FAT32 drives, but not vice-versa. That means, for networking purposes, having an NTFS server and a FAT32 client would be impossible. You could have a FAT32 server and an NTFS client, but all maintenance would have to be done on the client itself.

[MediaSlayer]

My computer's oem disks sets up an extra fat32"diagnostic" partition that eats up about 7 gigs or so. Thing is, I got nortonsystemworks2003 which comes with ghost and roxio so that space is wasted. The main partition of about 33 gigs is ntfs. I would like to erase the fat32 so i can install dos and run dos stuff(the good tools in nsworks seem to be only dos/fat32 compatible) and run dos games dos style but I haven't done it yet.

[DarthInsinuate]

:( ahhh, boyzeee and BabyGeniuses just contradicted each other - who's right?

but MediaSlayer just brought up a good point, i have a small collection of DOS games I like to come back to every now and again - will they have zero compatibility with NTFS?

[boyzeee]

hmmm i think you on about the networking thang, dunno about the server point but my mate lives in a student house and they all on a home network so they can use the net and my mates on xp/ntfs and his is the main unit, another is on win me/fat32 and accesses the net and printer thru mates pc and connection and the other guy in running win2k/ntfs and accesses thru him aswell. :D

[BawA]

NTFS is good but when u want to format ur pc u must use bootable windows setup and throw setup there will be format option and full format is better

[DarthInsinuate]

i think i'll stick with FAT - NTFS doen't seem to offer any real advantages, and just brings up a few problems

what's the difference with full and quick format anyways? I suppose I should have asked that in the first place

[Somebody1234]

Don't do an upgrade. Do a clean install. Use NTFS. You can do a quick format if you are sure you drive is in good condition.

You can network fine between the two filesystems.

All it means is that if you have a dual boot system with one partition that is NTFS and the other FAT32 then you won't be able to access the NTFS partiton while you are running your OS within a FAT32. It's not the same the other way around though. You can access a FAT32 partition while running in NTFS.

The chances of you needing to access a NTFS from within a FAT32 are quite slim.

Also your DOS games will still work.

Edited to add: The conditions needed for you to encounter the access problem would have to be from within one computer. In other words, it's not a problem though a network.

[DarthInsinuate]

Originally posted by Somebody1234@7 September 2003 - 22:43
Also your DOS games will still work.
That&#39;s good to hear - I think I&#39;ll go for NTFS now, it seems to have a few advantages and no real disadvantages <_<

didn&#39;t mean to confuse anyone with the title - but I&#39;m not upgrading, i just meant I&#39;m changing OS