Real NEWBIE Question?????/

[jdmullet]

Ok wat is the deal with the 2 file systems u can format your hard drive as(FAT32 or NTFS)....

Is there any difference(could u plz explain PLZ)

because both my hard drive i formated as FAT32

cheers for your help

 

[hjo3]

NTFS allows for encryption and compression without additional software. Also, you can set storage quotas if you have multiple users on your system. I think it's sposed to be more resistant to fragmentation than FAT32 too.

 

[CrackityJones]

NTFS offers a few advantages over Fat 32

1. File level security (determines if user is allowed to view file/folder)
2. data can not be read in a windows 9x machine
3. much better a keeping data from being corrupted.

 

[hjo3]

MS Knowledge Base Article on FAT v. NTFS v. HPFS

 

[jdmullet]

cheers for all your help

keep it cummin LOL

 

[EeyoreX]

data can not be read in a windows 9x machine[/b]

I am not so sure this would qualify as an advantage.

The article from MSKB pretty much says it all. I always use NTFS, but this can have a couple pitfalls too. Since it can't be accessed (easily) from outside Windows if you have corruption or can't boot this could be a problem getting your data off of the drive, inless you have a spare you can install your OS (NT based) onto. It can't be read by a 9x based OS, which makes dual booting an issue, not a problem really though. Just create a speperate FAT32 partition for sharing data.

If you are not worried about security of your files or don't need or want huge partitions (IIRC Windows XP is limited to creating 32GB FAT32 partitions, and WIndows 98 is limited to 64GB partitions), FAT32 is just fine.

\Dan

 

[AndyHui]

Please read the AnandTech FAQ: FAT32 vs NTFS