File allocation table question

When it comes to FAT 16, FAT32, an NTFS which are compatible with NT 4.0, WIN98, WIN98 SE, win 2000, please? I get confused when it comes to these. I appreciate any help.

thanks

 

Fat32 Ntsf

You basically have to know only fat 32 and ntsf at this point in time.
All can run on fat 32.
Windows 98 Cannot read Fat32
Fat 32 seems to have trouble with large partitions ( i think over 120 gig).
Fat 32 fragments more.
All can run on fat32.
The NT > Windows 2000 > XP group can use NTSF if that is your choice.
The key thing is that Windows 98 cannot read a NTSF drive.
If you are using Windows 98 then to go back and forth you need to use fat32.
If you are only using the NT/2000/XP group then you can use either.
Hope this makes it simple.
You cannot go to far wrong with fat32 if you are concerned. Just don't use large partitions.

 

Probably a typo but in it's current form, it's not correct. Win 98 can read FAT32 just fine. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that most systems, if not all, that had or have Win98 installed are or were using FAT32. There is a disk size limitation but if memory serves me correctly, it's something like 8 terabytes.

You may run into problems trying to format disks larger than 80GBs though. I don't remember right off hand for sure what the limitation is as far as size goes when it comes to formatting but it doesn't affect all systems. I've run into it myself but it's not really a FAT32 or Windows limitation but rather a limitation of the version of FDISK that you have. There is a hotfix available for those that run into this problem however.

 

Fat 16 Size Limitation NTSF

I would agree - most fat file formats you will find today will almost always be fat32.
I would of bet money that the limitation was 4 gigabytes.
Turns out it is only 2 gigabyes.

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/bios/sizeGB2-c.html


Windows 98 has a convertor in system tools to convert drives from fat 16 to fat 32.

The key thing here is if you are working with Windows 98 , 95 or the dreaded ME at all on other computers then you have to format in Fat format.

Otherwise you will not be able to read the NTSF drives in Windows 98,95 or ME.

If you are only using Windows NT/2000/XP it is your choice .
If you have large drives with fat32 you will have to partition your large drive into smaller segments.
It is always a debate as to which is faster NTSF or fat32.
Some people will insist that ntsf must be slower as it has more overhead.
Gamers I am told prefer fat32 and not ntsf.
And yet it seems that newer computers run faster on ntsf.
Windows XP installs by default in ntsf unless you do a workaround.
Some techs who are lazier prefer ntsf as it does a quicker install.
It should be interesting as well . Since Vista will only install on NTSF how will vista users and the 98 stream coexist ?
I guess you will have to shunt files over the internet or drive medias such as cds. You would have to format a usb drive in the 98 computer and not in the vista and then transfer over data.
It always comes down to practical logistics in the end.

 

That is a file size limitation, not disk size. With FAT32, a file cannot be any larger than that. NTFS doesn't have that limitation. Something to think about if you do any video editing or other type of work that requires large files.

That is a disk size limitation but it's not for FAT32. It's a limitation of the FAT16 file system. If you have a look at the page again, you'll see they are referring to FAT16.
Fat32 disk limitation is 8 terabytes.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/184006

 

Let me see if I have this correct now:

NT supports FAT16, NTFS and HPFS (for os/2)

2000 supports FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS

98 and 98SE supports FAT16 and FAT32

98/98SE and NT dual boot supports FAT16

98/98SE and 2000 dual boot supports FAT32

Is this all correct, please?

 

bump

 

Hi Sportsaholic,

Yes, and keep in mind that 9X Os's can't read NTFS while NT/W2K/XP can read FAT file systems.

Regards - Charles

 

As always, thank you charles and others for the help.

 

My mistake

Sorry my mistake.
The whole point of the discussion was that windows 98 cannot read ntsf.
So if you have windows 98 machines and want to exchange them and xp computers / 2000/NT then go fat 32.
Windows XP will install ntsf by default.
The way around is to format the drive with a windows 98 startup disc (www.bootdisk.com) and then install XP or whatever.
You will be given a choice.
Summary : Windows 98 cannot read NTSF
all the windows can run on either fat32 or NTSF
Fat 32 fragments more and can have trouble with large partitions.
NTSF is said to be more secure than fat32.
Lastly Vista demands NTSF for installs.
I hope have not made any more out of context major mistakes.

 

Hi visionof,

Yes, it could be done that way, but not necessary.

XP's installer will format either file system.

Regards - Charles

 

Charles,

it seems to me that on a blank drive xp will format ntsf and will not give me the option of fat32.
However if the drive is already formatted in fat32 then it gives 4 options - fast or full format of either.
It may be that if the drive is ntsf it gives you either option as well and i seldom have a ntsf already formatted drive.
Could be my version of xp or my memory. I will test it out and let you know.

 

Hi visionof,

From this MS doc http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313348

There is according to the above, a 32 GB limit on FAT formating. That's the same as limit if running XP using Disk Management's Format command.

My memory on this is hazy as well I seem to remember creating a 40 GB partition using the intaller, but I quess I'm wrong. Or there may be significance in FAT and not FAT32 being used in the wording?

Regards - Charles