Format drive question

[99WhiteBeast]

When formatiing a drive what type of file system do I use?
NTFS
FAT32
FAT

[Nuhklz]

When formatiing a drive what type of file system do I use?
NTFS
FAT32
FAT
one ringy dingy...

[Sandman]

Which os are you planning to put on there?

[BLACKSUNSHINE]

Yeah it depends on the OS. BASICALLY, windows 95 only does FAT16 windows 98, and ME will do FAT16 and FAT32. Windows NT, 2000, and XP, will do FAT and NTFS. Fat is OK if you dont care alot about securing files (locking them down to specific permissions) NTFS should be good if given the choice. Just remember if something happens to your computer its harder to recover the files than it would be if you formatted using NTFS.

[BLACKSUNSHINE]

ooops I mean "Just remember if something happens to your computer its harder to recover the files than it would be if you formatted using FAT" not NTFS...yeah sorry bout the typo, oh and when i say FAT16 it is also just reffered to as just FAT

[Band]

For home use: you should use FAT32 or NTFS. FAT16 has a 2GB partition limit.

As said, FAT32 is easier to work with if you have booting issues or whatnot.

I typically partition my system drive from my data.

Physical harddrive number 1:
c:\ = system and application files. (windows, office, winzip, etc)
d:\ = data files. (zipped files, saved games, office docs, porn, etc)

Physical Harddrive number 2: (if you have one)
e:\ = data files. (copy critical files from d:\ to this drive)

If you have an OS problem in this setup, you can just format c: and reinstall OS and applications. Your data will be fine.

If harddrive 1 fails, you have your goodies on harddrive2.

In this configuration NTFS is the way to go, otherwise I would use Fat32 for recoverability.

You get optimal performance in Windows XP, 2000, and 2003 when using NTFS.

[Tex Arcana]

In using WinXP Pro, I use NTFS exclusively. And if I have a problem and the drive crashes, I recover critical files by installing either Mandrake 8.x (which has built-in NTFS compatablity) on a small partition, or boot from a recovery CD such as Knoppix or FIRE, and use Linux to recover the files.

NOw, if Linux would get to the point where it was as easy to use as XP, I would switch in a heartbeat.

[Silver_2000]

Im impressed - you guys sound like you know what you are doing....

:bows :bows

As far as NTFS issues - get a copy of ERD pro .. It solves ALL issues...

With ERD pro and physical access to any Windows box including domain controllers - I will have admin rights in <4 min....

Doug

[Tex Arcana]

Im impressed - you guys sound like you know what you are doing....

:bows :bows

As far as NTFS issues - get a copy of ERD pro .. It solves ALL issues...

With ERD pro and physical access to any Windows box including domain controllers - I will have admin rights in <4 min....

Doug
I don't call myself a "Shadetree Computer Mechanic" for NOTHING... :d

WOuld you happen to have a copy of said software, for evaluation purposes, of course?? :D