Question about fat32 and corruption of XP

[HermitGuy]

Here's the deal, I was told today by a person selling bare-bones computer systems that the NTFS file system should be used with XP because XP tended to get corrupted when used with fat32, has anyone here heard of this or run across it themselves.

I should tell you that this bare-bones system was being bought by a friend. I told him that I have never had this problem nor heard of it and I've been using fat32 with XP for more than a year, but of course my experience is limited so I come here to tap into the vast knowledge base that is anandtech.

I know that people have differing opinions on the strength and weaknesses both file systems, but has anyone heard of this.

 

[chiwawa626]

Ive noticed my stuff in win2k under fat has really been getting fvcked up recently...bah im annoyed as hell since i just did a reformat 2 months ago and have no time to deal with such crap at the moment. For sure nextime im gonna do ntfs.

 

[stevewm]

Its not XP that causes the corruption....

The FAT32 filesystem is a simplistic filesystem. It doesn't have any mechinisims built in to protect itself and the data it contains. And can therefore easily become damaged. 2k/XP fully support FAT (12, 16, and 32) Using FAT32 with XP will not make it become corrupted any faster than it would in any other Windows version.

NTFS on the otherhand has several systems in place to protect itself and the data it carries. Its just a more reliable filesystem than FAT is.

 

[n0cmonkey]

I stick by my chastizing review of FAT32 in the other thread. Give it up, abandon FAT32, Microsoft has.

 

[ultimatebob]

The only good thing about FAT32 is that it can be easily read from a bootable DOS floppy. Other than that, NTFS is a MUCH more stable and secure file system.

 

[HermitGuy]

chiwawa626
Ive noticed my stuff in win2k under fat has really been getting fvcked up recently...bah im annoyed as hell since i just did a reformat 2 months ago and have no time to deal with such crap at the moment. For sure nextime im gonna do ntfs.

Thanks, I may do the same thing next time I reload.

stevewm
The FAT32 filesystem is a simplistic filesystem. It doesn't have any mechinisims built in to protect itself and the data it contains. And can therefore easily become damaged. 2k/XP fully support FAT (12, 16, and 32) Using FAT32 with XP will not make it become corrupted any faster than it would in any other Windows version.
NTFS on the otherhand has several systems in place to protect itself and the data it carries. Its just a more reliable filesystem than FAT is.

This is basically the way I felt but wanted to get more opinions. Thanks for your help.

n0cmonkey
I stick by my chastizing review of FAT32 in the other thread. Give it up, abandon FAT32, Microsoft has.

And chastizing it was, I may follow your advice yet. Thanks.

 

[HermitGuy]

Well it's bed time for bonzo here, so thanks for the help.

And thanks to any night owls that may put their two cents worth in by the morning.

Good night!

 

[Syran]

convert c: /fs:ntfs
is your friend.

 

[Ahmed]

I used XP
with fat 32 on my machine, didnt last a month. this happened twice fprme so far.
after using NFTS it has been ranning on my machine for about 5 months nicely.. (knock on wood)
regards

 

[HermitGuy]

Syran
convert c: /fs:ntfs is your friend.

Ahmed
I used XP with fat 32 on my machine, didnt last a month. this happened twice fprme so far.
after using NFTS it has been ranning on my machine for about 5 months nicely.. (knock on wood)
regards

Thanks for the input, this was about a friends machine who has fat32 loaded and doesn't want to reload again if he doesn't have to, I on the other hand may go to NTFS next time I reload at which point I'm probably going to get rid of my dual boot setup.

 

[johnlog]

I have been using FAT32 since I installed XP Pro. Never had a hard drive problem in almost a year.

I read all the time on forums like Anandtech that FAT32 does not work well with XP Pro. Well, my systems prove them wrong.

I also have ME installed on another computer. Works great and has not failed since I installed it. I wonder why my systems run so well and others are always complaining about crashing or other problems.

On another thread one person said he overclocked his video card and since then XP has been crashing or restarting by itself. Huh?😉

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: johnlog
I have been using FAT32 since I installed XP Pro. Never had a hard drive problem in almost a year.

I read all the time on forums like Anandtech that FAT32 does not work well with XP Pro. Well, my systems prove them wrong.

I think the belief is that FAT32 is old, crappy, not woth the time or effort, and Microsoft is making it clear they want to stear thier customers towards something better than absolute S.

I also have ME installed on another computer. Works great and has not failed since I installed it. I wonder why my systems run so well and others are always complaining about crashing or other problems.

j00 4r3 3r337 😉

On another thread one person said he overclocked his video card and since then XP has been crashing or restarting by itself. Huh?😉

I believe XP is set to reboot if it hits a fatal error that would normally cause a BSOD in previous OSes. Overclocking the video card can definitely do this.l If you were making fun of the guy for not realizing that, disregard this part of my post. My sarcasm detector is hindered by the "I should have been in bed hours ago" syndrome. 😉

 

[JellyBaby]

FAT32 is problematic when Windows or an app locks up solid and file I/O hasn't ended properly. But of course Windows XP never crashes so there are no problems, right?

I've been using FAT32 since last spring and it hasn't been much of a problem with the exception of the above. I manage to lock XP once in a while and XP's sorry replacement for Scandisk will not always correct the problems with the file system. I dual boot and have 98SE's better Scandisk (or Norton) solve the issues.

I do plan to move to NTFS as I'm getting into digital video...plus I want to check XP's encrypting file system features, another major + for NTFS.

 

[Ahmed]

Originally posted by: johnlog
I have been using FAT32 since I installed XP Pro. Never had a hard drive problem in almost a year.

I read all the time on forums like Anandtech that FAT32 does not work well with XP Pro. Well, my systems prove them wrong.

I also have ME installed on another computer. Works great and has not failed since I installed it. I wonder why my systems run so well and others are always complaining about crashing or other problems.

On another thread one person said he overclocked his video card and since then XP has been crashing or restarting by itself. Huh?😉

If you dont use 3D games and keep installing and uninstalling programs and games... I dont see why should your machine ever crash so there is no reason for you to wonder why your systems run so well and others are always complaining about crashing or other problems.
regards

 

[johnlog]

>If you dont use 3D games and keep installing and uninstalling programs and games... I dont see why should your machine ever crash so there is no reason for you to wonder why your systems run so well and others are always complaining about crashing or other problems. <<

Why would you or anyone keep on installing and uninstalling programs and games all the time? Don't you do at least a minumum of research? Like spending 15 minutes on research? Programs cost money ... unless you did not pay for all those programs?

You are correct as I am not a gamer. I think a PC is suppose to be used for real work. If you wish to play then buy a PlayStation or an Xbox to play with.

It is foolish to say anyone runs games and it crashes their computer all the time and to continue playing those krappy games. Then to solve that problem don't play 3D games on the computer unless you have a fully gamer equiped computer.

 

[johnlog]

JelleyB.,

>FAT32 is problematic when Windows or an app locks up solid and file I/O hasn't ended properly. But of course Windows XP never crashes so there are no problems, right? <<<

Sorry to hear your XP computer locks up all the time. My XP PRO system has not crashed or locked up. When or if it ever does I will ask on Anandtech what to do about solving any problems. 😎

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

I think a PC is suppose to be used for real work.

Bah!! A PC is for whatever you want it to be.. Whether it be games, work, audio, video, etc..

If you wish to play then buy a PlayStation or an Xbox to play with.

Got that(Xbox,g-Cube), and still love PC games as well.

You are correct as I am not a gamer.

Duh, figured out that one, and that is your perogative. No need to knock those who do use thier systems for gaming.

Programs cost money ... unless you did not pay for all those programs?

I pay for all I own, Just don't like having a bunch of 650mb-1GB sized games clogging up the system. So after a while, they get uninstalled. I am sure I am not alone on that one.

 

[johnlog]

>A PC is for whatever you want it to be.. Whether it be games, work, audio, video, etc.. <<

Sure it is. But if it crashes all the time then I consider that a huge negative. Also means you do not have much of importance to do if you spend so much time installing and uninstalling. I remember one child on Anandtech claimed he reformatted his hard drive every week and reinstalled the OS and programs/games. What a waste of time!! As long as mommy and daddy are providing the child with all their needs that may be fine for a short time. That is until they grow up and have to work to earn money to pay for everything.

We all started out as children but some of us do grow up.😀

 

[Ahmed]

Posted by johnlog
Why would you or anyone keep on installing and uninstalling programs and games all the time? Don't you do at least a minumum of research? Like spending 15 minutes on research? Programs cost money ... unless you did not pay for all those programs?

You are correct as I am not a gamer. I think a PC is suppose to be used for real work. If you wish to play then buy a PlayStation or an Xbox to play with.

It is foolish to say anyone runs games and it crashes their computer all the time and to continue playing those krappy games. Then to solve that problem don't play 3D games on the computer unless you have a fully gamer equiped computer.

 

[Ahmed]

Johnlog


whats your problem man
you have no right to tell me what to do on my computer, I paid for it and i do what i want withit, i am not wastingyour time it is my time, and i dont work for you. one i need an Xbox i will ask your permission next time. games keep me attached to my son and we do have great time. and thats a real work for me (being with my son) you may do what ever reaserch you want (please send me a copy of one of your researchs (i might be educated) after 23 years of being a profecional enginner, I pay for those krappy games, and I do have a fully gamer equiped computer (after your permission), finally it is foolish to say anyone will keep working day and night without spending what he earen to have fun with his family .

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Sure it is. But if it crashes all the time then I consider that a huge negative. Also means you do not have much of importance to do if you spend so much time installing and uninstalling. I remember one child on Anandtech claimed he reformatted his hard drive every week and reinstalled the OS and programs/games. What a waste of time!! As long as mommy and daddy are providing the child with all their needs that may be fine for a short time. That is until they grow up and have to work to earn money to pay for everything.

Hmm...I use mine for Surfing, e-mail, gaming,CD burning, Mp3crunching and playing, video playback(DVD,Divx,Mpeg,Avi,etc) and really don't have any crashing problems.. This must explain why(after reading other threads that you have posted in) your so highly heralded WinME machines are so stable...You don't use it for anything

Quit trolling and leave those that like to use their machines for gaming alone.

 

[johnlog]

>you have no right to tell me what to do on my computer <<<

I told no one what to do with their computer. I gave my opinion. Take it any way that makes you happy. 😉

 

[RabidWeasle]

Iv'e actually had no problems running XP pro with FAT32...actually, i tried NTFS the last time i re-installed *about once a year* and it screwed many things up, so i formatted back to FAT32...

 

[prosaic]

Originally posted by: johnlog
>
I told no one what to do with their computer. I gave my opinion. Take it any way that makes you happy. 😉

and

We all started out as children but some of us do grow up.

I take those statements and some others you've made in this thread to indicate that your specialty, at least at this point in time, is insufferable arrogance. You might try pretending to have respect for the opinions and priorities of others. That attitude is not one you'd be likely to display face-to-face with the members of this community. Why be so rude in a thread?

Oh, and your systems don't provide "proof" of the efficacy of FAT32. They just prove that you don't demand much of your systems, just as you don't demand much of yourself with respect to the consideration of other people's feelings.

- prosaic

 

[warrenpeace]

You mean people do WORK on computers ? Get outta here !

I have two computers at work. I do work on them. The one i do Actual work on runs DOS and doesn't even have windows on it. I make enough with that tool to afford the free time to tinker and play games with this expensive monstrosity of a computer i have at home, which is purely a plaything and does nothing even remotely professional and has no important files or data or whatever anywhere on it. It is simply a diversion.

To stay with the thread, when they gave me a desktop machine at work with win2K and an ntfs format, i was so impressed by it's stability i have installed the same on my gleaming toy here as well, and my life has been better for it. It has only locked up or crashed once since, and that was in my initial playing of Need for Speed Hot Persuit 2. After changing a few settings that hasn't happened again in hours of running that silly game. There were certain games and video editing programs that used to lock up my win9x machine quite regularly, as well as 'multitasking' which used to make the win9xer crash from time to time. Since switching to win2k and ntfs it is a thing of the past.

Now, is it the ntfs or the win2k that should get the credit ? I don't even care.