Re: FAT 32 vs NTFS query

There has just been a change of plans and my friend will not need me to back
up his Windows ME system.
So, I am now down to TWO XP HOME systems.

I gather, then, that I should format it to NTFS (let's assume I will never
need to worry about older OS).

Question #1: Once I do the NTFS format, will I be able to re-format using
FAT 32 if I desire to.

Question #2: Let's assume it is formatted NTFS. Can I still go into say the
command prompt and use a DOS command (eg: del xxx.xxx)?? From my reading it
sounds like DOS is unavailable in NTFS format. Yet I can do these commands
on my XP Home computers and I assume they are NTFS formatted?

Mel


"HillBillyBuddhist" <hillbillybuddhistshoes@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:vkO1f.6407$lI5.1744@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ----Answers inline----
>
> "MB_" <mel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:uOJ1f.2747$3n2.1967@xxxxxxxxxxx
> | Chris and Ben:
> |
> | OK, I did some reading but I am still confused.
> |
> | Am I correct that:
> |
> | 1) I can leave the USB External drive as formatted (FAT 32) and still
> back
> | up specific files and/or my entire system for both my laptop and desktop
> (XP
> | Home).
>
> You will have a problem if any of the files you intend to backup are
> larger
> than 4GB which is the size limit for a single file in FAT32. (Another
> conceivable condsideration is that FAT32 does not support file encryption.
> How this affects encrypted files (if indeed you have any) in terms of a
> backup I'm honestly not sure. Perhaps someone else can speak to that.)
>
> | 2) I might be doing some backup work for a friend who has an older
> system
> | with Windows ME. If I want to back up his system on this drive, then I
> MUST
> | keep it at FAT 32.
>
> If you intend to plug the drive directly into the Windows ME computer then
> yes it must be FAT32. If you intend to backup over a network (Internet)
> with
> it hooked to your computer then it won't matter.
>
> A simple solution would be to repartition the drive while it's still empty
> with an NTFS partition for yourself and a FAT32 partition for your friend.
>
> --
> Doug
>
> I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
> I was just trying to help.
> Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
> advice herein.
> No warranty is expressed or implied.
> Your mileage may vary.
> See store for details. :)
>
> Remove shoes to E-mail.
>
>
>


.

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