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FAT32 vs NTFS


Guest morpheus2702

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Guest morpheus2702
Posted

I'm playing about with my home PC and finding out about my main C: drive (40Gb), which apparent is formatted to FAT32. I'm running Windows XP Home Edition and wondering:

a) Is there any performance benefit running the NTFS format as oppose to FAT32?

:) Can I convert from FAT32 to NTFS easily (I have little computer skill)?

If so:

c) Everything is running sweet on my system as it is, so is making the change worth it?

d) If I convert, will I lose data and need to back up files?

All help and opinions appreciated!

Guest stevewright
Posted

Not sure why I'm posting, as I'm no expert either, but my limited knowledge says:

- Conversion is possible with no data loss. Your decision whether to back it all up - I reckon it's a major task so (could) go t*ts up.

- Performance wise, at 40GB probably not much in it. With huge HDs, it might do

- The difference is more the extra security stuff it allows. If you don't need it, then don't bother.

My recommendation - Don't bother.

Anyone else?

Guest moo_ski_doo
Posted

I'd probably agree, if it's working fine I'd just leave it as it is. If and when you re-install Windows I'd change it while I was at it just cus it makes more sense to use NTFS - that's the way everything's going. I'm sure that by the time Longhorn comes along (IF it ever comes along) NTFS will be the only real option.

Guest morpheus2702
Posted

OK guys, cheers for that - as much as I am a sucker for playing about with PC things I'll think I'll sidestep this one. Thanks again. :)

Guest nedge2k
Posted

My Longhorn 4051 is NTFS. WinFS is the file system which incidently you have to disable in the current ver of longhorn to make it run smoothly. BTW steer clear if NTFS if you ever plan to put W98 back on your system as you'll have to format an loose everything. I know you probably wont but if ur XP disc is found to be corrupt half way through a clean install, your f*cked. Trust me, it aint pretty.

Guest agent.m
Posted

the pain is when you want to go back to win98/ me then go back to xp. it a long story but fat32 is what i use now.

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