Win 2000

[SPEEDO]

Which is would you use?
NTFS of Fat 32

And why!

SPEEDO

[NDC]

I would use FAT32 for the OS partition so you can access or format the OS partition using a Win98 boot disk. Win98 boot disk cannot recognize NTFS partitions. I would setup the rest of the partitions NTFS for security and volume compression options. And NTFS frags less easily. To put it simply, NTFS file system is a better file system in almost all ways...


Here's (http://forums.digitalmntsnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24) how my partitions are set up for Windows 2000.

Go to the link below to decide which would be right for you...

NTFS5 Vs. FAT (http://forums.digitalmntsnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=218)

EDITED.........

[Xaotic]

It depends on what you're using the machine for and the size of the drives. FAT32 has less overhead in terms of space and hardware loading, but has some weaknesses on larger drives. Drives over 40G have had some problems using scandisk(haven't heard of fixes yet). NTFS has excellent performance especially on the larger drives in the range from 60-200G, but is more processor intensive. I prefer NTFS due to the security aspects and since I tend to use larger disks. If you are dual booting with NT make sure you have at least SP5 loaded prior to loading W2K since NTFS drives will be converted to NTFS5 and NT will not be able to read them or boot if it is on the system or boot partition.

[BBA]

For me, I use NTFS on anything that serves internet content.

I use FAT32 for normal workstations because I can access it though DOS.

Of course, FDISK DOES recognize NTFS ( MS-DOS 6.2x recognizes it as HPFS, but Win9X and newer FDISK sees it as NTFS, but all FDISK versions are able to delete NTFS partitions )

BUT: The only way to access NTFS files through DOS is to either use a third party utility ( like NTFSDOS ) or to use the MS recovery console that W2K and up has.

Of course, you can patch Win9x to access NTFS drives also...but it still does not allow win9x to load from the NTFS drive.

FAT is easier to recover filesystem problems than NTFS but it also has more file system problems than NTFS.

Basically, it's a matter of security and preference.

[NDC]

My mistake on the above posting, thanks, BBA! :)

FDISK does recognize recognize NTFS. However, it is not recognized as NTFS, it's recognized as NON-DOS which you can delete. What I meant was, a Windows 98 boot disk will not recognize a NTFS partition...

[GroundZero3]

i use NTFS on all my win2k machines. NDC posted a very link about the difference!


thanxs for the link NDC

JaYsin

[SPEEDO]

Well I have tried it both ways and everytime I do an update on the Windows Update site, I can no longer connect to my cable connection which is working fine on my other machine!
I seem to have problems with the strangest things!
Decided to wipe the drive in the morning and put back ME!

Like I have posted before I never have any problems with good ole ME!

SPEEDO

[cadetstimpy]

Fat 32 so that I can dual boot with Win98Se and share the same file space. One C drive for Both OS ...Whooo Hoooo! :p

If you plan to serve anythin up to the net then NTFS would be prudent.

You can always convert from Fat32 to NTFS ...just not the other way around. (i.e. Fat32 for now....once Win98SE obsolete and no longer needed then convert to NTFS)

Performancewise they both cluster down to 4k - NTFS just has more security information in its structure and with Win2k NTFS has the ability to run an encrypted file system and quota management when running a dynamic disk.

Oh, also FDISK from Win98SE can see the difference between NTFS and NON-DOS.

[SPEEDO]

Well I am going to try Fat32 for awhile!
I found out that Zone Alarm was the culprit that caused my problems after the update!
So I uninstalled it and everything worked fine.
Reinstalled it now everything seems OK
Before I do anymore updates I will be sure to remove Zone Alarm first!
cadetstimpy
you say I can convert from one file system to the other with no data loss?

SPEEDO

[Xaotic]

Yep, but only from FAT32 to NTFS and even MS advises backing up the data first. I've never had any problems with converting. Better safe than sorry.

[Mr.Goodbytes]

I don't think I'd ever set it up the way you opted to there, stimpy. Not only do I enjoy the stability and security of NTFS, but having two OS's on the same partitions sounds a little bit risky. If one or the other goes down, you're in the weeds man.

NTFS ALL THE WAY BABY!!!! :cool:

[adbvfab]

NTFS is definitly the way to go. The sooner FAT and FAT32 is gone the better, i still shudder when i hear the name DOS. It's amazing after all these years that it's still around.
Converting from FAT32 to NTFS is easy once you know that ME cannot run on a NTFS partition which means only NT/W2k/XP can live on NTFS.
Your best best is to boot from W2k CD format the drive as NTFS and install a clean installation. It'll prevent a large amount of trouble that a upgrade will cause.
I think you're the first person i've ever heard say the ME was good!!! a different opinion is always welcome.