Changing XP's NTFS to FAT32 question ??

Question

I'd like to get some input on this thought. There are some who believe Fat32 would be a better option for certain reasons. One poster says that "data recovery from a system boot failure is more stubborn if a user does not have the domain knowledge of hard disk drives and FS structures. For this reason I would recommend your FS be FAT32". I tend to agreee with him, but I'm not nearly as experienced. I certainly hope he doesn't object to me quoting him.

Since I'm gonna use PM8 to add partitions to my harddrive, I can change the file structure as I go.

Beyond the obvious advantages that NTFS gives XP, why should I not change the structure back to Fat32? Would this be a dangerous thing to do? I'm interested in you opinions and thoughts.

Thanks, Jim.

noobody · Answer

first off, you cannot dynamically change a currently-used NTFS partition to FAT. (you would have to re-format the drive and lose all the data) But I suspect you know that already.

I am a die-hard Windows98 user, and I can tell you, without a doubt, that NTFS is much more stable and verbose than FAT32. I cannot think of a single reason why you would want to run XP on a FAT32 partition. There are data retrieval utilities for NTFS if you do lose access to an NTFS partition... but a good admin would have backed up the important data already. :)

now, you may wish to have a second partition for FAT32 to dual-boot windows98 or ext2/3 for linux... but that's another subject.

msgale · Answer

Actually Partition Magic can convert NFTS to FAT32.  I however can not see any advantage in it.  Yes, you can mount FAT 32 from DOS boot floppies, but NTFS's stability obviates that requirement. Message Edited by msgale on 03-09-2004 01:45 PM

jimtnc · Answer

I've decided not to do it right now. If, for some reason down the road I change my mind, I can always redo it then. I was getting kind of queesy not staying with convention.

I got PM8 a few days ago. Just trying to be sure not to mess up the partitioning.

Thanks, Jim.

Message Edited by jimtnc on 03-10-2004 09:35 AM

lesesnecarl · Answer

Hello Jimtnc: I am responding only to say the previous comments from Forum members are right on the money. Don't go back to FAT 32 unless you are a big fan of DOS and wish to make alot of floppies.

Also, you should consider backing up your c partition with Drive Image 7.0. It would be a good idea to keep a backup on your hd as well as removable media. HDs have a tendecy to go bad at times and you could be in deep water without a backup. Carl.

jimtnc · Answer

Thanks for the comments. BTW, you mentioned DI-7 for backups. I have DI-4 (I think that's the version), and I saw a poster last week state he could backup his NTFS system with DI4...but everyone else I've heard from said no way. Any recent news on this little thing?

lesesnecarl · Answer

Hello Jimtnc- I purchased a copy of DI 6.0 to backup WINME.It did a good job as long as I had WINME installed. However, my HD went belly up and I installed XP Home. I could only run DI 6.0 in DOS mode and could not load it on my HD. Your DI 4.0 will have the same kinds of problems or worst. You will need DI 7.0 to work with XP & NTFS. PM 7.0 worked with either OS but DI wouldnot for some reason. Carl.

jimtnc · Answer

Ok, appreciate the info, guys. Since DI and PM will probably go belly-up soon since the Symantec takeover, I've decided to go with Ghost. A little more learning curve (since I was used to DI), but everyone says it's a good app.

Thanks, Jim.

Windows General

Changing XP's NTFS to FAT32 question ??

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