NTFS - convert FAT 32 or re-install Win2K

I have recently picked up a new computer, pre-loaded with Win2K. It runs beautifully at the moment. I have networked it with my older Win98 system and no problems. My question is around disk formatting.

The hard drive was formatted FAT32 when I got it. After doing a bit of research, there seem to be many benefits to going to NTFS. I have read if I simply run the conversion utility, the resulting NTFS system may suffer some performance problems (as opposed to doing a clean install of Win2K).

My specific questions are:
1. System runs great right now (it aint broke so why am I fixing it? ). Are the benefits of going to NTFS worthwhile? Will I actually feel any real change in speed? Or am I just getting better security, etc.
2. And if I make the move, is it better to run the convert utility or do a reinstall of Win2K?

Thanks a bunch.....

 

My experience with NTFS:

PROS: Great security options. If you don't properly shutdown, it doesn't hurt a thing. Scan disk does not need to be run or anything.

CONS: Disk hogger. Takes more space. And as far as disk clean up goes, to clean out temp files and such, it'll be doing that for hours and hours (I never let mine finish it took so long). Also, on some games (mine atleast) it would lock up trying to change OpenGL config and resolution and stuff like that.

I'm sticking with FAT32 just because it runs smoother for me. And yea If you mean the convert utility as in the command you have to run in RUN, then it works just fine, without any problems. That's what I did the first time, which may have caused my games to lock up. But when I reformatted into NTFS, I didn't have that problem. I don't know, maybe it's just me

 

I've done conversions on 2K and XP. Worked fine.

I do recommend the page file defrag program you can get free from http://www.sysinternals.com or something similar.

And again IMO, I like the performance of the system using Norton for disk defrag rather than the built-in thing the Disk Keeper folks wrote for M$.

There are some speed issues with NTFS vs FAT32 but IMO only really noticible if your hardware is marginal. I personally think the security and stability is well worth it.

OTOH, I don't do gaming so wouldn't be aware of any issues there.