NTFS or Fat32?

[leprechaun_40]

OK, I'm new to winXP, and I'm going to install it on a new machine (once it's assembled).

The question is, M$ says for a drive over 32gb I should use NTFS, can't I use Fat32 for better compatability? I'm using a 40gb drive. Or will Fat32 not work on a drive this size?:confused:

Thanks

[Philip1952]

Fat 32 will work on it.

With NTFS
You can set up to compress the drive and folders.
It has better security features.
It is just a little slower than Fat 32.
It supports large files that Fat 32 doesn't. (Think on this one if you do video editing or are going to)
You don't need to defrag as often.

Plus there are other reasons. But I am to tired to remember right now. I work thirds. It is past my bed time. :D

[Cluedo]

Good info here (http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=63)

Ah..another third shift worker...I understand. (Me too.)

Another good article (http://www.scotsnewsletter.com/19.htm#filesys)

A NTFS disk or partition can't be seen from DOS, if worse came to worse and you needed to boot from a DOS floppy. (data recovery). There are some workarounds mentioned at informationweek by Fred Langa (http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020131S0005)



If you would ever use remote assistance in XP, a FAT32 computer would not be able to see yours.

Many third party utilities (file recovery for example) won't work with NTFS.

I tried XP on a second drive with FAT32 and then went to NTFS just due to the being able to make folders private feature. (Shared computer with young uns!) Otherwise I wish I'd just left it FAT32 to match my other drive and home computer.

HTH

:t

[Strawbs]

I have two 40gig Drives, my primary is fat32 and my slave is ntfs, both have three partitions, the slave is compressed and used for private files\folders, store for downloaded apps and drivers and Back-up (as fat32 won't create back-up files larger than 9gig), as you've suggested I only use fat32 for compatability and visibility reasons, but one day I will get all brave, bite the bullet and convert to ntfs completely.

:t

[leprechaun_40]

Hmmmm, now I gotta do some thinking:D

This machine isn't for me,, I'm putting it together for someone else, and they aren't computer saavy. Thinking I'll stay with the Fat32 for now and go NTFS later if I need to, :r

Thanks guys:D

[Bigjakkstaffa]

I use fat 32 for compatibilities sake as i migrated from win 98 via an upgrade install of 2k, i did use NTFS once but developed an error on the HDD and ive enever gone back to it since. By using FAT 32 you also get the added bonus of being able to use the invaluable win 98 boot disk if anything should go wrong :)

--Jakk:t

[Midknyte]

which version of xp do you have? pro has more ntfs features, such as encryption and compression. winxp home has private folders, which is a mini-implementation of encryption. both require ntfs.

Basically, use ntfs if you need security. use fat32 if you want compatibility with DOS and win9x.

[leprechaun_40]

It's Xp home, didn't see a need for pro, as this is strictly a home use machine
:)

Looks like I'll probably go with Fat32 then, just for ease of compatibility and such, thanks again guys:D

[AllGamer]

yes i keep most of my HDDs in FAT 32 for the very same reason, same goes for FAT 16

I run a lot of DOS stuff, and Win3.11 :x

[Nini-Veh]

I just set up my new compaq presario, which came preinstalled with xp home edition. Without even asking, the install converted the 16 GB C partition to NTFS. Why was this? Is it so that XP should support remotesupport? After reading your replies I am now fully convinced that I should have the other partition (104 GB) as FAT32. Can I change the NTFS partition to FAT32 without reformatting?

Cheers and confused,

Nini-Veh

[AllGamer]

if you use Partition Magic 7 Pro or newer then yes you can just Convert them

but not via standard ways :(

[racronus]

for ntfs what does:

compress drive and folders do?

[Strawbs]

saves space... the downside (I believe) is non accessible drives for ghost or drive image restoration, and slower access times

:t

[Midknyte]

just a little fyi, you can either compress or encrypt files, but not both.