NTFS or Fat32

[Mike658]

Should I convert to NTFS or stay with Fat32? I dont know if i will have problems with XP but if I do will I be able to go back and reinstall Windows 98? If I have problems I do not want to be stranded with a file system I cant get rid of. Is there a way to convert back to NTFS?

[Major Kong]

I converted to NTFS and glad I did. You can keep FAT32 and once you know your not going to have a problem you can convert to NTFS within WinXP without loosing your data. But the easiest is just to choose NTFS at the initial phase. Also pay close attention to the XP hardware compatible program. It will tell you what to expect from your hardware. I ran the program from the XP before I did the install and I downloaded a new keyboard driver and camera driver before I started. The only other driver I had to download was for my Turtle Beach Santa Cruz sound card. The program didn't tell me about that one. Hope this helps!

[Toppro]

NTFS- better file protection

[Cobra]

Back when I was running Win2K Pro, I made the conversion to NTFS. Even though a lot of people saying it's slower, I actually noticed a 5-10 FPS increase in a few games such as Black & White, Undying (UT engine), and NASCAR 4. I haven't bothered to check it under XP, but I still stick with NTFS.

[DVader]

Another difference, you will be forced to use NTFS on drives larger than 32Gigs in the Windows XP setup. If your hard drive is that large and unpartitioned and unformated.
So plan and partition accordingly if you wish to keep Fat32.

[C0NF0RTY]

[quote]Originally posted by Toppro:
<strong>NTFS- better file protection</strong><hr></blockquote>
yeah if mashine is in LAN or runing some server like IIS...
for home use i preffer FAT32

[Mike658]

But another question i have is: Could i just delete the NTFS partition and return to FAT32 if i had to?

[Sandwich]

Another difference, you will be forced to use NTFS on drives larger than 32Gigs in the Windows XP setup. If your hard drive is that large and unpartitioned and unformated.
So plan and partition accordingly if you wish to keep Fat32.

Hey DVader I have a 60Gb HDD and just installed with fat32??

[TrackMan]

I use xp @ home, but use NTFS. I find that Windows runs much faster, especially copying large files. I guess it's just more efficient than fat32. I spend a lot of time copying stuff around my hard drive, and appreciate the speed boost. I also don't dual boot w/ 98 so i don't need the fat32 compatibility convienince. I'd suggest fat32 if you dual boot, otherwise go NTFS.

[Gollo]

[quote]Originally posted by Mike658:
<strong>But another question i have is: Could i just delete the NTFS partition and return to FAT32 if i had to?</strong><hr></blockquote>

As long as you don't need any of the information on the partition all's you have to do is fdisk it or use some other program that can erase partitions.

[Budster64]

[quote]Originally posted by C0NF0RTY:
<strong>
yeah if mashine is in LAN or runing some server like IIS...
for home use i preffer FAT32</strong><hr></blockquote>

Why??? With FAT32 there is a greater overhead which translates to more of the drive being used up because of it, especially if you are using large drives. Also, NTFS is slightly self repairing, FAT32 is not, NTFS less prone to fragmentation than FAT16/32. On top of that you also have increased file security, which is a good thing wether or not you are on a lan.
But my question is what are the benefits with FAT32 that lead you to prefer that at home rather than NTFS? And don't take this as a flame, it's meant to be a question, no more no less.

[DVader]

[quote]Hey DVader I have a 60Gb HDD and just installed with fat32??<hr></blockquote>

Hmmmm... I though Fat32 had a 32 gig limit. Consider yourself fortunate. Windows XP wouldn't even list Fat32 as an option on my newly partioned 37gig drive. Anyone know why?

[Cobra]

Actually, FAT32 has a theoretical 2 Terrabyte limit, if I remember correctly. Been a while since I read the MS propaganda about it...

EDIT: Just checked the MS Knowledge base to satisfy my own curiosity, and relating to XP & 2K, I found this:

[quote]You cannot format a volume larger than 32 GB in size using the FAT32 file system in Windows 2000. The Windows 2000 FastFAT driver can mount and support volumes larger than 32 GB that use the FAT32 file system (subject to the other limits), but you cannot create one using the Format tool. This behavior is by design. If you need to create a volume larger than 32 GB, use the NTFS file system instead.
<hr></blockquote>

The complete article can be found <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q184006" target="_blank">here</a>

It appears as though you can creat a larger, usable, bootable FAT32 partition thru Win98 or ME, or a 3rd party tool like Partition Magic, but why would you want to? NTFS is far superior.

[Radical Dreamer]

Eevryone talks about the benifits of NTFS, but what are the downsides other than the obvious not being able to share with FAT32

[pm4345]

My 0.02

NTFS is great for security, but unless you are absolutely sure you have no hardware glitches, I wouldn't convert.

Better to be safe then sorry.

It would hurt to try them both on different harddrives and see which one performs better for your needs.