• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

NTFS questions?

G

ginfest

Golden Member
Hi,
I have Win XP, currently using FAT 32. I want to format my disk with NTFS, and fresh install XP. I have read the FAQ, and some Knowledge base stuff, but still want to make sure that I understand. Can you still boot into DOS, and access the drive(s) if using NTFS? I understand there is a Recovery Console, and will try and learn how to use it, I guess booting to DOS and being able to use it will provide a "security blanket" effect.
Any other tips or suggestions welcome.
TIA,
Mike G

edit: Ok, I see in the FAQ that "...you will not have the security of booting into DOS... and must install the MMC..." But in one of the KB articles I read, it says that you can use a DOS Boot Disk to access the drive(s)?
Still confused
 
So if I use a Win 98 "boot" disk, I will end up at an "a:" prompt, but won't be able to go to "c:"? Or will I get the "c:" prompt, but running a "dir" or any other DOS command won't work?
In other words, if I decide to re-format/re-install, I can't just boot with a Win 9x boot disk and format "c:"?
Sorry, now I'm really getting confused.
 
You will get an a: prompt, c: will not be accessible because it's not a DOS mountable disk. You would have to delete and recreate the partitions before you can format. But there's no need to format from DOS unless you plan on installing Win9X, which isn't worth the effort.
 
Great, thank you, I get it now. You're right, I would never go back to Win 9x, don't know why I am worried, I'm sure NTFS will work out fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top