NTFS v FAT 32

pjam wrote on 8/16/2003, 6:36 PM

OK, so I am going ahead with the clean install of WIN XP. Two existing storage drives are FAT 32, if I set the clean install boot drive to NTFS will I still be able to access the FAT32 drives and transfer files across to the NTFS drive. Are they inter-compatable if thats the right phrase. Phew!

Comments

Former user wrote on 8/16/2003, 6:48 PM

You can transfer from Fat 32 to NTFS, but you may not be able to go the other way. Fat32 is limited to a max 4gig file size. If you create a file larger than 4gig on the NTFS file, it will not transfer to the Fat32 drive. Best to make all drives NTFS.

Dave T2

farss wrote on 8/16/2003, 7:15 PM

I'd say where ever possible stick to NTFS.

kentwolf wrote on 8/16/2003, 7:35 PM

NTFS is superior to FAT32 in just about every way imaginable.

HeeHee wrote on 8/17/2003, 12:44 PM

pjam,

To answer both your questions directly:

Two existing storage drives are FAT 32, if I set the clean install boot drive to NTFS will I still be able to access the FAT32 drives and transfer files across to the NTFS drive?

Yes, as others said, you will be able to transfer files from FAT32 to NTFS and visa versa, but will not be able to transfer files greater than 4GB from NTFS to FAT32.

2) Are they inter-compatable if thats the right phrase?

Yes, FAT32 and NTFS can coexist on a WinXP system.

I recommend that you go ahead and install NTFS on the boot drive during your clean install of WinXP, then when the OS is all set, back up your files on the FAT32 drives and then convert them to NTFS. Then you will not have to worry about file size when transferrring files.

-Lee