Re: FAT 32 vs NTFS query

Mel,

1) Yes, just delete the partition and reformat into FAT32. The only
challenge you will have is that XP WILL NOT do this on a drive over 32GB, so
you'll have to delete the partition in XP, connect it to a 98 machine and
create and format the partition there.

2) Sure. As long as you're running XP, all the DOS commands in a dos window
work fine.

Tom
"MB_" <mel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6uV1f.3238$Ue7.1007@xxxxxxxxxxx
> There has just been a change of plans and my friend will not need me to
> back up his Windows ME system.
> So, I am now down to TWO XP HOME systems.
>
> I gather, then, that I should format it to NTFS (let's assume I will never
> need to worry about older OS).
>
> Question #1: Once I do the NTFS format, will I be able to re-format using
> FAT 32 if I desire to.
>
> Question #2: Let's assume it is formatted NTFS. Can I still go into say
> the command prompt and use a DOS command (eg: del xxx.xxx)?? From my
> reading it sounds like DOS is unavailable in NTFS format. Yet I can do
> these commands on my XP Home computers and I assume they are NTFS
> formatted?
>
> Mel
>
>
> "HillBillyBuddhist" <hillbillybuddhistshoes@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:vkO1f.6407$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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