FAT32 or NTFS for new system???

[ELIZABETH STEERE]

I'm currently running XP Pro on my aging PIII-800. I just bought a new P4
2.4 CPU and motherboard to upgrade my system. When I installed XP on the
old system I stayed with FAT32, but I'm wondering if I should go with NTFS
with the new system? Can someone please explain to me (in simple words!)
the reasons why I should or shouldn't do this?

The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be so I can
easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of all my docs
and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I wouldn't be able to
read that second FAT32 drive, would I? Would I be able to read CD-Rs
containing documents backups created under my current FAT32 system? CDs
would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have several gigabytes
of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way. If I put that
second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put a network cable
between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all the files over? If you
can't have a network link between NTFS and FAT32 systems that would mean I'd
go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have a little home
LAN to share our DSL connection.

What about converting the file system? Is a converted system any less stable
or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS? If so I could
start the new system as FAT32, put in the second backup drive and copy the
files to my main drive, then convert both to NTFS. Or I could convert my
current PIII system to NTFS, including the backup drive, then format the new
P4 system as NTFS and be able to read the converted backup drive.

I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my ignorance,
and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue which of the above
options is best, which are clumsy and which are just plain impossible!

Cheers,
Elizabeth
__________________________________________________ ________________
Elizabeth Reid Steere
http://www.aluluei.com

[Spinner]

"ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
...
> I'm currently running XP Pro on my aging PIII-800. I just bought a new P4
> 2.4 CPU and motherboard to upgrade my system. When I installed XP on the
> old system I stayed with FAT32, but I'm wondering if I should go with NTFS
> with the new system? Can someone please explain to me (in simple words!)
> the reasons why I should or shouldn't do this?
>
> The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be so I can
> easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of all my docs
> and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I wouldn't be able
to
> read that second FAT32 drive, would I?

Not true, you would be able to read it just fine.
The format of your boot drive has no bearing on reading the format of other
drives.
It is the Operation System that has to be able to read it.
XP can read fat32, so there is no problem with it.

Would I be able to read CD-Rs
> containing documents backups created under my current FAT32 system?

Again, it does not matter what format your current system is. A CDR uses
it's own format,
regardless of the drive format of the OS it is installed under.
Youe CDs should be able to be read under just about any OS that is
available.

CDs
> would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have several gigabytes
> of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way. If I put that
> second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put a network cable
> between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all the files over? If you
> can't have a network link between NTFS and FAT32

The drive format makes no differance in a network connection.
It is the OS on the host computer that reads the drives and serves the data
to the guest machine.



systems that would mean I'd
> go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have a little
home
> LAN to share our DSL connection.

It is not an issue.

>
> What about converting the file system? Is a converted system any less
stable
> or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS? If so I could
> start the new system as FAT32, put in the second backup drive and copy the
> files to my main drive, then convert both to NTFS. Or I could convert my
> current PIII system to NTFS, including the backup drive, then format the
new
> P4 system as NTFS and be able to read the converted backup drive.
>
> I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my ignorance,
> and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue which of the
above
> options is best, which are clumsy and which are just plain impossible!
>
> Cheers,
> Elizabeth

NTFS is a much more robust file system and is required if you want to use
any folder secruity options.
My advice would be to use NTFS for the new system and leave the current
system alone.
You can then put your current drive in the new system as a slave to access
your files.


> __________________________________________________ ________________
> Elizabeth Reid Steere
> http://www.aluluei.com
>
>

[Spinner]

"ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
...
> I'm currently running XP Pro on my aging PIII-800. I just bought a new P4
> 2.4 CPU and motherboard to upgrade my system. When I installed XP on the
> old system I stayed with FAT32, but I'm wondering if I should go with NTFS
> with the new system? Can someone please explain to me (in simple words!)
> the reasons why I should or shouldn't do this?
>
> The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be so I can
> easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of all my docs
> and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I wouldn't be able
to
> read that second FAT32 drive, would I?

Not true, you would be able to read it just fine.
The format of your boot drive has no bearing on reading the format of other
drives.
It is the Operation System that has to be able to read it.
XP can read fat32, so there is no problem with it.

Would I be able to read CD-Rs
> containing documents backups created under my current FAT32 system?

Again, it does not matter what format your current system is. A CDR uses
it's own format,
regardless of the drive format of the OS it is installed under.
Youe CDs should be able to be read under just about any OS that is
available.

CDs
> would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have several gigabytes
> of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way. If I put that
> second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put a network cable
> between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all the files over? If you
> can't have a network link between NTFS and FAT32

The drive format makes no differance in a network connection.
It is the OS on the host computer that reads the drives and serves the data
to the guest machine.



systems that would mean I'd
> go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have a little
home
> LAN to share our DSL connection.

It is not an issue.

>
> What about converting the file system? Is a converted system any less
stable
> or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS? If so I could
> start the new system as FAT32, put in the second backup drive and copy the
> files to my main drive, then convert both to NTFS. Or I could convert my
> current PIII system to NTFS, including the backup drive, then format the
new
> P4 system as NTFS and be able to read the converted backup drive.
>
> I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my ignorance,
> and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue which of the
above
> options is best, which are clumsy and which are just plain impossible!
>
> Cheers,
> Elizabeth

NTFS is a much more robust file system and is required if you want to use
any folder secruity options.
My advice would be to use NTFS for the new system and leave the current
system alone.
You can then put your current drive in the new system as a slave to access
your files.


> __________________________________________________ ________________
> Elizabeth Reid Steere
> http://www.aluluei.com
>
>

[Michael Stevens]

Spinner wrote:
> "ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I'm currently running XP Pro on my aging PIII-800. I just bought a
>> new P4
>> 2.4 CPU and motherboard to upgrade my system. When I installed XP
>> on the old system I stayed with FAT32, but I'm wondering if I should
>> go with NTFS with the new system? Can someone please explain to me
>> (in simple words!) the reasons why I should or shouldn't do this?
>>
>> The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be so I
>> can easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of
>> all my docs and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I
>> wouldn't be able to read that second FAT32 drive, would I?
>
> Not true, you would be able to read it just fine.
> The format of your boot drive has no bearing on reading the format of
> other drives.
> It is the Operation System that has to be able to read it.
> XP can read fat32, so there is no problem with it.
>
> Would I be able to read CD-Rs
>> containing documents backups created under my current FAT32 system?
>
> Again, it does not matter what format your current system is. A CDR
> uses it's own format,
> regardless of the drive format of the OS it is installed under.
> Youe CDs should be able to be read under just about any OS that is
> available.
>
> CDs
>> would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have several
>> gigabytes of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way.
>> If I put that second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put
>> a network cable between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all
>> the files over? If you can't have a network link between NTFS and
>> FAT32
>
> The drive format makes no differance in a network connection.
> It is the OS on the host computer that reads the drives and serves
> the data to the guest machine.
>
>
>
> systems that would mean I'd
>> go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have a
>> little home LAN to share our DSL connection.
>
> It is not an issue.
>
>>
>> What about converting the file system? Is a converted system any
>> less stable or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS?
>> If so I could start the new system as FAT32, put in the second
>> backup drive and copy the files to my main drive, then convert both
>> to NTFS. Or I could convert my current PIII system to NTFS,
>> including the backup drive, then format the new P4 system as NTFS
>> and be able to read the converted backup drive.
>>
>> I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my
>> ignorance, and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue
>> which of the above options is best, which are clumsy and which are
>> just plain impossible!
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Elizabeth
>
> NTFS is a much more robust file system and is required if you want to
> use any folder secruity options.
> My advice would be to use NTFS for the new system and leave the
> current system alone.
> You can then put your current drive in the new system as a slave to
> access your files.
>
>
>> __________________________________________________ ________________
>> Elizabeth Reid Steere
>> http://www.aluluei.com

To add an agreement to all of spinners points of definition, it is the OS
that reads a file system.
Win 95/98 can read FAT/FAT16: cannot read NTFS
Win 98b/98SE/Me can read FAT/FAT16/FAT32: cannot read NTFS
Win 2000/XP: can read FAT/FAT16/FAT32/NTFS
Floppies and CD's with files copied from a drive formatted with FAT or NTFS
can be read from Any version of Windows as long as the application that can
read the file is installed on the target OS.

Some advice when you swap out your motherboard, after changing the MB, on
first boot do not boot directly into Windows XP. You need to set the XP to
the new hardware by doing a repair install.
See link below. Copy and paste the link into the address bar of your web
browser if you are using the web to access the newsgroups.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP

http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

[Michael Stevens]

Spinner wrote:
> "ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I'm currently running XP Pro on my aging PIII-800. I just bought a
>> new P4
>> 2.4 CPU and motherboard to upgrade my system. When I installed XP
>> on the old system I stayed with FAT32, but I'm wondering if I should
>> go with NTFS with the new system? Can someone please explain to me
>> (in simple words!) the reasons why I should or shouldn't do this?
>>
>> The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be so I
>> can easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of
>> all my docs and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I
>> wouldn't be able to read that second FAT32 drive, would I?
>
> Not true, you would be able to read it just fine.
> The format of your boot drive has no bearing on reading the format of
> other drives.
> It is the Operation System that has to be able to read it.
> XP can read fat32, so there is no problem with it.
>
> Would I be able to read CD-Rs
>> containing documents backups created under my current FAT32 system?
>
> Again, it does not matter what format your current system is. A CDR
> uses it's own format,
> regardless of the drive format of the OS it is installed under.
> Youe CDs should be able to be read under just about any OS that is
> available.
>
> CDs
>> would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have several
>> gigabytes of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way.
>> If I put that second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put
>> a network cable between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all
>> the files over? If you can't have a network link between NTFS and
>> FAT32
>
> The drive format makes no differance in a network connection.
> It is the OS on the host computer that reads the drives and serves
> the data to the guest machine.
>
>
>
> systems that would mean I'd
>> go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have a
>> little home LAN to share our DSL connection.
>
> It is not an issue.
>
>>
>> What about converting the file system? Is a converted system any
>> less stable or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS?
>> If so I could start the new system as FAT32, put in the second
>> backup drive and copy the files to my main drive, then convert both
>> to NTFS. Or I could convert my current PIII system to NTFS,
>> including the backup drive, then format the new P4 system as NTFS
>> and be able to read the converted backup drive.
>>
>> I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my
>> ignorance, and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue
>> which of the above options is best, which are clumsy and which are
>> just plain impossible!
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Elizabeth
>
> NTFS is a much more robust file system and is required if you want to
> use any folder secruity options.
> My advice would be to use NTFS for the new system and leave the
> current system alone.
> You can then put your current drive in the new system as a slave to
> access your files.
>
>
>> __________________________________________________ ________________
>> Elizabeth Reid Steere
>> http://www.aluluei.com

To add an agreement to all of spinners points of definition, it is the OS
that reads a file system.
Win 95/98 can read FAT/FAT16: cannot read NTFS
Win 98b/98SE/Me can read FAT/FAT16/FAT32: cannot read NTFS
Win 2000/XP: can read FAT/FAT16/FAT32/NTFS
Floppies and CD's with files copied from a drive formatted with FAT or NTFS
can be read from Any version of Windows as long as the application that can
read the file is installed on the target OS.

Some advice when you swap out your motherboard, after changing the MB, on
first boot do not boot directly into Windows XP. You need to set the XP to
the new hardware by doing a repair install.
See link below. Copy and paste the link into the address bar of your web
browser if you are using the web to access the newsgroups.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP

http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

[Jon]

"Michael Stevens" > wrote in message =
...

> Win 95/98 can read FAT/FAT16: cannot read NTFS

98 (all versions) was formatted to be FAT32 as well as the previous FAT =
versions. It was the first ( DOS based) Windows version that went =
totally FAT32, and was never touted as being FAT16=20

Also, Windows 95b (aka OSR2.0) and 95c (aka OSR2.1) both could be =
loaded FAT32

> Win 98b/98SE/Me can read FAT/FAT16/FAT32:=20
> cannot read NTFS

I have never heard of Windows 98b???

[Jon]

"Michael Stevens" > wrote in message =
...

> Win 95/98 can read FAT/FAT16: cannot read NTFS

98 (all versions) was formatted to be FAT32 as well as the previous FAT =
versions. It was the first ( DOS based) Windows version that went =
totally FAT32, and was never touted as being FAT16=20

Also, Windows 95b (aka OSR2.0) and 95c (aka OSR2.1) both could be =
loaded FAT32

> Win 98b/98SE/Me can read FAT/FAT16/FAT32:=20
> cannot read NTFS

I have never heard of Windows 98b???

[Ken Blake]

"ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
...

> The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be
so I can
> easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of
all my docs
> and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I
wouldn't be able to
> read that second FAT32 drive, would I?


Yes, you would. Windows XP can read NTFS, FAT32, FAT16, and FAT12
in any and all combinations. What file system is on the boot
drive is irrelevant.


> Would I be able to read CD-Rs
> containing documents backups created under my current FAT32
system?


Yes. Don't think of your current system as a FAT32 system; that's
what's confusing you. It's a Windows XP system, not a FAT32
system. What file system is on the boot drive is irrelevant.
Besides the format of a CD-R is identical regardless of what file
system was on the boot drive.


> CDs
> would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have
several gigabytes
> of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way.


It's not at all necessary.


> If I put that
> second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put a
network cable
> between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all the files
over?


Absolutely. It's not necessary that you do this, but Windows XP
would have no trouble with it.

The FAT32 drive could even be on a Windows 98 machine. You could
even transfer data over the network from the Windows XP NTFS
drive to a Windows 98 FAT32 drive; it's just the data that's
moved over the network, not the file system.


> If you
> can't have a network link between NTFS and FAT32 systems that
would mean I'd
> go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have
a little home
> LAN to share our DSL connection.


Not an issue. You can do this without a problem.


> What about converting the file system? Is a converted system
any less stable
> or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS?


Stability is not an issue, but cluster size (and therefore
performance) can be. Before converting, read
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm.


> If so I could
> start the new system as FAT32, put in the second backup drive
and copy the
> files to my main drive, then convert both to NTFS. Or I could
convert my
> current PIII system to NTFS, including the backup drive, then
format the new
> P4 system as NTFS and be able to read the converted backup
drive.


You can do either, or any of the other things you've suggested.
If it were me, I'd install the second drive, install the new
system on the first drive and make it NTFS, then copy over
whatever you wanted (or just leave it there, if you're planning
on keeping the drive in the system). Whether to bother converting
that second drive to NTFS depends in part on what use you have
planned for it.


> I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my
ignorance,
> and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue which
of the above
> options is best, which are clumsy and which are just plain
impossible!


No need to apologize. The purpose of newsgroups like these is to
help people with questions like yours.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[Ken Blake]

"ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
...

> The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be
so I can
> easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of
all my docs
> and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I
wouldn't be able to
> read that second FAT32 drive, would I?


Yes, you would. Windows XP can read NTFS, FAT32, FAT16, and FAT12
in any and all combinations. What file system is on the boot
drive is irrelevant.


> Would I be able to read CD-Rs
> containing documents backups created under my current FAT32
system?


Yes. Don't think of your current system as a FAT32 system; that's
what's confusing you. It's a Windows XP system, not a FAT32
system. What file system is on the boot drive is irrelevant.
Besides the format of a CD-R is identical regardless of what file
system was on the boot drive.


> CDs
> would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have
several gigabytes
> of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way.


It's not at all necessary.


> If I put that
> second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put a
network cable
> between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all the files
over?


Absolutely. It's not necessary that you do this, but Windows XP
would have no trouble with it.

The FAT32 drive could even be on a Windows 98 machine. You could
even transfer data over the network from the Windows XP NTFS
drive to a Windows 98 FAT32 drive; it's just the data that's
moved over the network, not the file system.


> If you
> can't have a network link between NTFS and FAT32 systems that
would mean I'd
> go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have
a little home
> LAN to share our DSL connection.


Not an issue. You can do this without a problem.


> What about converting the file system? Is a converted system
any less stable
> or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS?


Stability is not an issue, but cluster size (and therefore
performance) can be. Before converting, read
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm.


> If so I could
> start the new system as FAT32, put in the second backup drive
and copy the
> files to my main drive, then convert both to NTFS. Or I could
convert my
> current PIII system to NTFS, including the backup drive, then
format the new
> P4 system as NTFS and be able to read the converted backup
drive.


You can do either, or any of the other things you've suggested.
If it were me, I'd install the second drive, install the new
system on the first drive and make it NTFS, then copy over
whatever you wanted (or just leave it there, if you're planning
on keeping the drive in the system). Whether to bother converting
that second drive to NTFS depends in part on what use you have
planned for it.


> I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my
ignorance,
> and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue which
of the above
> options is best, which are clumsy and which are just plain
impossible!


No need to apologize. The purpose of newsgroups like these is to
help people with questions like yours.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[Michael Stevens]

Jon wrote:
> "Michael Stevens" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Win 95/98 can read FAT/FAT16: cannot read NTFS
>
> 98 (all versions) was formatted to be FAT32 as well as the previous
> FAT versions. It was the first ( DOS based) Windows version that went
> totally FAT32, and was never touted as being FAT16
>
> Also, Windows 95b (aka OSR2.0) and 95c (aka OSR2.1) both could be
> loaded FAT32
>
>> Win 98b/98SE/Me can read FAT/FAT16/FAT32:
>> cannot read NTFS
>
> I have never heard of Windows 98b???

Me either. LOL I meant 95 b and I forgot about c thanks for the catch and
clarification.

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP

http://michaelstevenstech.com

[Michael Stevens]

Jon wrote:
> "Michael Stevens" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Win 95/98 can read FAT/FAT16: cannot read NTFS
>
> 98 (all versions) was formatted to be FAT32 as well as the previous
> FAT versions. It was the first ( DOS based) Windows version that went
> totally FAT32, and was never touted as being FAT16
>
> Also, Windows 95b (aka OSR2.0) and 95c (aka OSR2.1) both could be
> loaded FAT32
>
>> Win 98b/98SE/Me can read FAT/FAT16/FAT32:
>> cannot read NTFS
>
> I have never heard of Windows 98b???

Me either. LOL I meant 95 b and I forgot about c thanks for the catch and
clarification.

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP

http://michaelstevenstech.com

[Elizabeth Reid Steere]

Thanks so much for the replies and suggestions. www.michaelstevenstech.com
has been especially helpful!

I intend to have both hard drives in the new system, and continue to use
them as I have been: one is the main system drive, the other is userfile
backups (I also have backups on CD in case the whole system blows up).

My plan right now is to use FAST to get all my stuff onto my D drive. Then
I'll shuffle all the hardware. Then I want to reformat my C drive and do a
clean XP install with an NTFS file system, recovering my files from the D
drive along the way. I'd rather do a clean install than migrate the drive as
is. Maybe it's just superstition, but I always like to do a clean install
with a MB/CPU upgrade in order to get rid of all the little bits of dross
that seem to build up over time as you intall stuff, uninstall stuff, change
video cards etc.

My question now is how best to reformat the drive? In the past I have used a
Windows boot floppy disk to reformat and partition a disk with an OS on it.
That's what I did when I installed my current XP system. I don't remember
being able to boot from the CD drive, but maybe the MB and CD drive I had at
the time didn't support that. If I understand correctly from the stuff on
Michael's site, if I can boot from the XP CD, I will be able to reformat and
repartition my C drive from there. If I still can't boot from the CD I have
the XP boot disk set here. I'll also download wxpboot.exe and make a single
boot disk. Is that all correct? I want to make sure I know exactly what I'm
doing before I start.

Elizabeth
__________________________________________________ ________________
Elizabeth Reid Steere
http://www.aluluei.com

[Elizabeth Reid Steere]

Thanks so much for the replies and suggestions. www.michaelstevenstech.com
has been especially helpful!

I intend to have both hard drives in the new system, and continue to use
them as I have been: one is the main system drive, the other is userfile
backups (I also have backups on CD in case the whole system blows up).

My plan right now is to use FAST to get all my stuff onto my D drive. Then
I'll shuffle all the hardware. Then I want to reformat my C drive and do a
clean XP install with an NTFS file system, recovering my files from the D
drive along the way. I'd rather do a clean install than migrate the drive as
is. Maybe it's just superstition, but I always like to do a clean install
with a MB/CPU upgrade in order to get rid of all the little bits of dross
that seem to build up over time as you intall stuff, uninstall stuff, change
video cards etc.

My question now is how best to reformat the drive? In the past I have used a
Windows boot floppy disk to reformat and partition a disk with an OS on it.
That's what I did when I installed my current XP system. I don't remember
being able to boot from the CD drive, but maybe the MB and CD drive I had at
the time didn't support that. If I understand correctly from the stuff on
Michael's site, if I can boot from the XP CD, I will be able to reformat and
repartition my C drive from there. If I still can't boot from the CD I have
the XP boot disk set here. I'll also download wxpboot.exe and make a single
boot disk. Is that all correct? I want to make sure I know exactly what I'm
doing before I start.

Elizabeth
__________________________________________________ ________________
Elizabeth Reid Steere
http://www.aluluei.com

[Ken Blake]

"Elizabeth Reid Steere" > wrote in message
...

> My question now is how best to reformat the drive? In the past
I have used a
> Windows boot floppy disk to reformat and partition a disk with
an OS on it.
> That's what I did when I installed my current XP system. I
don't remember
> being able to boot from the CD drive, but maybe the MB and CD
drive I had at
> the time didn't support that. If I understand correctly from
the stuff on
> Michael's site, if I can boot from the XP CD, I will be able to
reformat and
> repartition my C drive from there.


Yes, boot from the CD and follow the prompts. All modern
motherboard/Bios combinations will let you boot from the CD
drive. Since you're getting a new motherboard, I'm sure that
won't be a problem.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[Ken Blake]

"Elizabeth Reid Steere" > wrote in message
...

> My question now is how best to reformat the drive? In the past
I have used a
> Windows boot floppy disk to reformat and partition a disk with
an OS on it.
> That's what I did when I installed my current XP system. I
don't remember
> being able to boot from the CD drive, but maybe the MB and CD
drive I had at
> the time didn't support that. If I understand correctly from
the stuff on
> Michael's site, if I can boot from the XP CD, I will be able to
reformat and
> repartition my C drive from there.


Yes, boot from the CD and follow the prompts. All modern
motherboard/Bios combinations will let you boot from the CD
drive. Since you're getting a new motherboard, I'm sure that
won't be a problem.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[S.L.NARASIMHAM]

IT IS my understanding that OSs on fat32 can't read ntfs drives. is it a
correct assumption or does it aooly only to win 9x and not to winxp?
S.L.Narasimham
"Spinner" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm currently running XP Pro on my aging PIII-800. I just bought a new
P4
> > 2.4 CPU and motherboard to upgrade my system. When I installed XP on
the
> > old system I stayed with FAT32, but I'm wondering if I should go with
NTFS
> > with the new system? Can someone please explain to me (in simple
words!)
> > the reasons why I should or shouldn't do this?
> >
> > The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be so I can
> > easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of all my
docs
> > and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I wouldn't be
able
> to
> > read that second FAT32 drive, would I?
>
> Not true, you would be able to read it just fine.
> The format of your boot drive has no bearing on reading the format of
other
> drives.
> It is the Operation System that has to be able to read it.
> XP can read fat32, so there is no problem with it.
>
> Would I be able to read CD-Rs
> > containing documents backups created under my current FAT32 system?
>
> Again, it does not matter what format your current system is. A CDR uses
> it's own format,
> regardless of the drive format of the OS it is installed under.
> Youe CDs should be able to be read under just about any OS that is
> available.
>
> CDs
> > would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have several
gigabytes
> > of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way. If I put that
> > second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put a network cable
> > between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all the files over? If
you
> > can't have a network link between NTFS and FAT32
>
> The drive format makes no differance in a network connection.
> It is the OS on the host computer that reads the drives and serves the
data
> to the guest machine.
>
>
>
> systems that would mean I'd
> > go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have a little
> home
> > LAN to share our DSL connection.
>
> It is not an issue.
>
> >
> > What about converting the file system? Is a converted system any less
> stable
> > or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS? If so I could
> > start the new system as FAT32, put in the second backup drive and copy
the
> > files to my main drive, then convert both to NTFS. Or I could convert my
> > current PIII system to NTFS, including the backup drive, then format the
> new
> > P4 system as NTFS and be able to read the converted backup drive.
> >
> > I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my
ignorance,
> > and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue which of the
> above
> > options is best, which are clumsy and which are just plain impossible!
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Elizabeth
>
> NTFS is a much more robust file system and is required if you want to use
> any folder secruity options.
> My advice would be to use NTFS for the new system and leave the current
> system alone.
> You can then put your current drive in the new system as a slave to access
> your files.
>
>
> > __________________________________________________ ________________
> > Elizabeth Reid Steere
> > http://www.aluluei.com
> >
> >
>
>

[S.L.NARASIMHAM]

IT IS my understanding that OSs on fat32 can't read ntfs drives. is it a
correct assumption or does it aooly only to win 9x and not to winxp?
S.L.Narasimham
"Spinner" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm currently running XP Pro on my aging PIII-800. I just bought a new
P4
> > 2.4 CPU and motherboard to upgrade my system. When I installed XP on
the
> > old system I stayed with FAT32, but I'm wondering if I should go with
NTFS
> > with the new system? Can someone please explain to me (in simple
words!)
> > the reasons why I should or shouldn't do this?
> >
> > The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be so I can
> > easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of all my
docs
> > and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I wouldn't be
able
> to
> > read that second FAT32 drive, would I?
>
> Not true, you would be able to read it just fine.
> The format of your boot drive has no bearing on reading the format of
other
> drives.
> It is the Operation System that has to be able to read it.
> XP can read fat32, so there is no problem with it.
>
> Would I be able to read CD-Rs
> > containing documents backups created under my current FAT32 system?
>
> Again, it does not matter what format your current system is. A CDR uses
> it's own format,
> regardless of the drive format of the OS it is installed under.
> Youe CDs should be able to be read under just about any OS that is
> available.
>
> CDs
> > would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have several
gigabytes
> > of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way. If I put that
> > second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put a network cable
> > between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all the files over? If
you
> > can't have a network link between NTFS and FAT32
>
> The drive format makes no differance in a network connection.
> It is the OS on the host computer that reads the drives and serves the
data
> to the guest machine.
>
>
>
> systems that would mean I'd
> > go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have a little
> home
> > LAN to share our DSL connection.
>
> It is not an issue.
>
> >
> > What about converting the file system? Is a converted system any less
> stable
> > or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS? If so I could
> > start the new system as FAT32, put in the second backup drive and copy
the
> > files to my main drive, then convert both to NTFS. Or I could convert my
> > current PIII system to NTFS, including the backup drive, then format the
> new
> > P4 system as NTFS and be able to read the converted backup drive.
> >
> > I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my
ignorance,
> > and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue which of the
> above
> > options is best, which are clumsy and which are just plain impossible!
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Elizabeth
>
> NTFS is a much more robust file system and is required if you want to use
> any folder secruity options.
> My advice would be to use NTFS for the new system and leave the current
> system alone.
> You can then put your current drive in the new system as a slave to access
> your files.
>
>
> > __________________________________________________ ________________
> > Elizabeth Reid Steere
> > http://www.aluluei.com
> >
> >
>
>

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Personally, I wouldn't even consider using FAT32 when NTFS is an
option. FAT32 has no security capabilities, no compression
capabilities, no fault tolerance, and a lot of wasted hard drive space
on volumes larger than 8 Gb in size.

A little "light" reading, and you can make up your own mind URLs
may wrap):

Overview of FAT, HPFS, and NTFS File Systems
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q100108

Limitations of FAT32 File System
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q184006

Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q314463

Choosing Between File Systems
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/TechNet/prodtechnol/winntas/tips/techrep/filesyst.asp

FAT & NTFS File Systems in Windows XP
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfs.htm

NTFS file system
http://www.digit-life.com/articles/ntfs/

WinXP can read FAT12 (the file system used on 3.5" diskettes),
FAT16, FAT32, CDFS (the file system used on most CDs), and NTFS with
equal facility. The file system on any one disk/partition or diskette
absolutely has no affect on the operating system's ability to read
other compatible file systems on other disks/partitions.


Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
----
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
...
> I'm currently running XP Pro on my aging PIII-800. I just bought a
new P4
> 2.4 CPU and motherboard to upgrade my system. When I installed XP
on the
> old system I stayed with FAT32, but I'm wondering if I should go
with NTFS
> with the new system? Can someone please explain to me (in simple
words!)
> the reasons why I should or shouldn't do this?
>
> The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be so I
can
> easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of all
my docs
> and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I wouldn't be
able to
> read that second FAT32 drive, would I? Would I be able to read
CD-Rs
> containing documents backups created under my current FAT32 system?
CDs
> would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have several
gigabytes
> of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way. If I put
that
> second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put a network
cable
> between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all the files over?
If you
> can't have a network link between NTFS and FAT32 systems that would
mean I'd
> go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have a
little home
> LAN to share our DSL connection.
>
> What about converting the file system? Is a converted system any
less stable
> or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS? If so I
could
> start the new system as FAT32, put in the second backup drive and
copy the
> files to my main drive, then convert both to NTFS. Or I could
convert my
> current PIII system to NTFS, including the backup drive, then format
the new
> P4 system as NTFS and be able to read the converted backup drive.
>
> I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my
ignorance,
> and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue which of
the above
> options is best, which are clumsy and which are just plain
impossible!
>
> Cheers,
> Elizabeth
> __________________________________________________ ________________
> Elizabeth Reid Steere
> http://www.aluluei.com
>
>

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Personally, I wouldn't even consider using FAT32 when NTFS is an
option. FAT32 has no security capabilities, no compression
capabilities, no fault tolerance, and a lot of wasted hard drive space
on volumes larger than 8 Gb in size.

A little "light" reading, and you can make up your own mind URLs
may wrap):

Overview of FAT, HPFS, and NTFS File Systems
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q100108

Limitations of FAT32 File System
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q184006

Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q314463

Choosing Between File Systems
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/TechNet/prodtechnol/winntas/tips/techrep/filesyst.asp

FAT & NTFS File Systems in Windows XP
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfs.htm

NTFS file system
http://www.digit-life.com/articles/ntfs/

WinXP can read FAT12 (the file system used on 3.5" diskettes),
FAT16, FAT32, CDFS (the file system used on most CDs), and NTFS with
equal facility. The file system on any one disk/partition or diskette
absolutely has no affect on the operating system's ability to read
other compatible file systems on other disks/partitions.


Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
----
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"ELIZABETH STEERE" > wrote in message
...
> I'm currently running XP Pro on my aging PIII-800. I just bought a
new P4
> 2.4 CPU and motherboard to upgrade my system. When I installed XP
on the
> old system I stayed with FAT32, but I'm wondering if I should go
with NTFS
> with the new system? Can someone please explain to me (in simple
words!)
> the reasons why I should or shouldn't do this?
>
> The main reason I would have with staying with FAT32 would be so I
can
> easily plug in my second hard drive, which contains backups of all
my docs
> and user files. If I switch to NTFS on the boot drive, I wouldn't be
able to
> read that second FAT32 drive, would I? Would I be able to read
CD-Rs
> containing documents backups created under my current FAT32 system?
CDs
> would be a painful way to transfer the docs since I have several
gigabytes
> of user files, but I could do it if it were the only way. If I put
that
> second drive onto another FAT32 XP system, could I put a network
cable
> between it and the new NTFS XP system and copy all the files over?
If you
> can't have a network link between NTFS and FAT32 systems that would
mean I'd
> go with FAT32 because my husband's laptop is FAT32 and we have a
little home
> LAN to share our DSL connection.
>
> What about converting the file system? Is a converted system any
less stable
> or good than one which was originally formatted as NTFS? If so I
could
> start the new system as FAT32, put in the second backup drive and
copy the
> files to my main drive, then convert both to NTFS. Or I could
convert my
> current PIII system to NTFS, including the backup drive, then format
the new
> P4 system as NTFS and be able to read the converted backup drive.
>
> I'm sure these must be stupid questions, and I apologize for my
ignorance,
> and hope someone can advise me. I'm afraid I have no clue which of
the above
> options is best, which are clumsy and which are just plain
impossible!
>
> Cheers,
> Elizabeth
> __________________________________________________ ________________
> Elizabeth Reid Steere
> http://www.aluluei.com
>
>

[Ken Blake]

"S.L.NARASIMHAM" > wrote in message
...

> IT IS my understanding that OSs on fat32 can't read ntfs
drives. is it a
> correct assumption or does it aooly only to win 9x and not to
winxp?


Your understanding is *not* correct. What file system the
operating system is installed on is irrelevant. The only issue is
what file systems the operating system is capable of reading.
Windows XP is capable of reading NTFS, FAT32, FAT16, and FAT12 in
any and all combinations, and regardless of what file system
itself is installed on.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[Ken Blake]

"S.L.NARASIMHAM" > wrote in message
...

> IT IS my understanding that OSs on fat32 can't read ntfs
drives. is it a
> correct assumption or does it aooly only to win 9x and not to
winxp?


Your understanding is *not* correct. What file system the
operating system is installed on is irrelevant. The only issue is
what file systems the operating system is capable of reading.
Windows XP is capable of reading NTFS, FAT32, FAT16, and FAT12 in
any and all combinations, and regardless of what file system
itself is installed on.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[Elizabeth Reid Steere]

Gentlemen, thank you so much for all your help. My new system is up and
running! The process was quick and would have been quite painless were it
not for some initial problems booting from the XP CD. Thankfully, though
after much fiddling with BIOS settings, that was resolved when I discovered
that the disc was still on my desk. After that everything was plain sailing
:-)

Elizabeth
__________________________________________________ ________________
Elizabeth Reid Steere
http://www.aluluei.com

[Elizabeth Reid Steere]

Gentlemen, thank you so much for all your help. My new system is up and
running! The process was quick and would have been quite painless were it
not for some initial problems booting from the XP CD. Thankfully, though
after much fiddling with BIOS settings, that was resolved when I discovered
that the disc was still on my desk. After that everything was plain sailing
:-)

Elizabeth
__________________________________________________ ________________
Elizabeth Reid Steere
http://www.aluluei.com

[Fred]

On Sat, 26 Apr 2003 06:17:59 +0530, "S.L.NARASIMHAM" >
wrote:

>IT IS my understanding that OSs on fat32 can't read ntfs drives. is it a
>correct assumption or does it aooly only to win 9x and not to winxp?
>S.L.Narasimham

NT can read NTFS, 9x and ME can not. XP is an NT OS.

[Fred]

On Sat, 26 Apr 2003 06:17:59 +0530, "S.L.NARASIMHAM" >
wrote:

>IT IS my understanding that OSs on fat32 can't read ntfs drives. is it a
>correct assumption or does it aooly only to win 9x and not to winxp?
>S.L.Narasimham

NT can read NTFS, 9x and ME can not. XP is an NT OS.