ntfs

[Raffaz]

One of my SATA drives is failing, ran the diagnostics on it and got a failure code. Just bought a new 400gb drive and im considering switching to NTFS, so i can make the partitions bigger than 32gb. What happens if i need to run in DOS at startup, i understand that the comp wont see an NTFS drive, so what do i need, if i have problems. Ive also got 2 other HD's, which are FAT32, will these work ok with the NTFS one if i decide to go ahead, or will there be some limitations to what i can do. Any other stuff i need to know would be appreciated aswell. Cheers

Mick

[TechZ]

Well if you have OS problems, plenty of things WinXP has to solve this, Repair Install, SFC, Safe Mode, etc.

If you want to use other hard disks in the system that are FAT32, its not a problem at all.

To access NTFS via dos, you can use this http://bootdisk.com/ntfs.htm

[Raffaz]

Cheers for that mate, will sort it when i sort the other problem out. Drives all partitioned, whats the easiest way to format to NTFS, can i just hook the drive as a slave and do it from windows or is there a better way? Cheers

Mick

[NooNoo]

format ntfs from computer management within xp or when you boot from cd you can format the partition on which you intend to put xp... or if you want to go mad, then get the drive setup cd and it will format ntfs for you.

[Raffaz]

cheers mate, will sort it when i work out my graphics prob. One thing after another, i think ya quote says it all lol.

Mick

[confus-ed]

..im considering switching to NTFS, so i can make the partitions bigger than 32gb...

btw you don't need NTFS for that, its just implemented that way in xp to 'encourage' you to switch

Theorectically fat32 can access a whopping 8 terabytes (if you max out the cluster size & have a bios capable of 48bit lba) - but practically speaking anything past 127gb is asking for trouble ...
FAT32 vs NTFS

& another btw ; beware of the 'convert' command available in both win2k & xp, if toying with the idea of changing an existing fat32 drive to NTFS, there's a big explanation to do with cluster sizes & MFT fragmentation, but simple advice is DON'T.

[Raffaz]

Wont be using the convert option, as its a new HD. Will be copying data from my old one to the new one before it fails.

Mick

[confus-ed]

Wont be using the convert option

Fair enough then , its just that quite often folks use it & then wonder why the hell their converted volume is sooooo-ooo sloooooow & I just thought you might later want to change over completly from fat32 to NTFS on the 'other 2' disks you mentioned.

[Raffaz]

I might do that sometime if i think its worth it. If i do i will copy everything to the NTFS drive, then format and copy stuff back, as they are both storage drives. Cheers.

Mick