FAT32 or NTFS

[alivin]

Hi Everyone,
I've heard a lot of talk about fat32(which I have right now) and ntfs. Which is better ? I mainly surf the web, play games & work with office. Is it worth me switching over to NTFS or staying with FAT32 ? I have a WD 80 gig HD with plenty of room partitioned into 3 drives 10, 20, 48 gigs
Any feedback appreciated,
Andy.

[bushmaster]

What OS are you using ?.

[Kerepla]

I would say to use NTFS if you can... because it manages hard drives better and is more efficient.. If you are using Win XP go NTFS...

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[maximus02143]

NTFS for security reasons if your not the only person the uses the box.

[Bigjakkstaffa]

FAT 32 is much much easier to repair in the event of typhoon/nuclear meltdown/act of god (delete where applicable) as all you need is the holy grail of computing the win9x bootdisk and you can get to work fixing stuff. However NTFS is much better security wise, thats no interest to me though so i always stayed loyal to fat32

--Jakk

[Swordfish]

FAT32 i will say...if you get the file system corrupted and u r using ntfs...be ready for a roller coaster ride of searchin for repair/recovery tools on web.

I have been thru all those mess...be safe...stick with fat32(if this is not on network).

[bushmaster]

Both have their advantages and their dis-advantages. But if your using 95, 98, 98se, Me, you have no choice as to what file system you are going to use except for one of the fat systems. Hence my original question. What OS are you using ?.

[bassman]

Like said above, if you're on Win9x you won't be able to use NTFS. Win NT/2000/XP supports NTFS, in wich my choice recalls --> better security (FAT provides almost none), less fragmentation and space waste, better partition management. Only thing is, like Jakk said, you'll have to get a NTFS boot disk (eheheh ) to access files without using the OS...

[rangeral]

Stay with fat32, reasons are already mentioned plus you'll need to do some preparation to make the process go smoothly.

If your interested in security against the internet go to http://grc.com/su-bondage.htm for a tutor on protecting yourself.

[alivin]

Sorry it took me a while to get back to you all, that pesky work thing got in the way, I'm using win ME right now but getting ready to install XP pro. Almost there, the wife is taking her sweet time to backup her stuff.

[Midknyte]

Leave it as FAT32 for now. You can always convert it to NTFS later using this command:

convert c: /fs:ntfs

You cannot convert back to FAT32 from NTFS without a third party app, like Partition Magic.

[alivin]

I have Partition magic 7.0 but I think I'll leave it alone at FAT32, it sounds like I don't really need it as I don't have any security probs until my 14 mo old daughter grows up a bit and by that time she'll have her own comp & mine will be password protected.

[rangeral]

Wise choice, using xp with fat32 myself with no problems.