New Hard Disk

March 30th, 2002

I run a dual-boot 98SE/XP Home system and I'm about to replace a 15Gb hard disk (used only for data) to one of about 40GB.
It will contain 2 partitions of 20 GB each but since the total size of the disk is over 32GB does this mean that the partitions will HAVE to be formatted in NTFS? If so , is there any problem with transferring my saved data from a FAT32 disk to an NTFS system or vice versa?
The operating system and programs will continue to be on the primary FAT32 drive.
Are there any other factors/pitfalls that should be looked for?
Any thoughts will be much appreciated. TIA
Mal

March 30th, 2002

XP will not format a FAT partition to larger than 32 gig, but you can format in ntfs and convert later

Black_Pride · March 30th, 2002

Originally posted by allan
No, you are fine. XP will not format a FAT partition to larger than 32 gig, but you can split it up to smaller partitions and format with no problem at all.

Allan...
Are you sure XP wont put a FAT partition on a Drive larger than 32 Gigs?

If so....what would happen if you try to create a FAT32 partition of lets say 40 Gigs and then try to install XP on it???

I am asking because of a f-cked up experience I had installing XP and I am trying to find out what went wrong?....any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks!!:confused:

March 30th, 2002

You CAN format a large drive using fat, but not larger than 32 gig. Using your example, it will format 32 gigs of the 40 gig drive and leave the rest unformatted.

However, you can format any way you like, install XP and then reformat from within the OS using a 3rd party tool such as Partition Magic. Also, you can format the entire drive in NTFS, install XP, and then CONVERT the drive back to FAT (again using Partition Magic).

**Cosmin** · March 30th, 2002

NTFS partitions are more secure but FAT32 are well known as the best for games and other media applications . NTFS works with large partitions ( as 30 - 40 ... ) but your 20 GB partitions should be necessary for FAT32 .

**Lonman** · March 30th, 2002

Originally posted by Malcolm
I run a dual-boot 98SE/XP Home system and I'm about to replace a 15Gb hard disk (used only for data) to one of about 40GB.
It will contain 2 partitions of 20 GB each but since the total size of the disk is over 32GB does this mean that the partitions will HAVE to be formatted in NTFS? No, as long as you partition it the way you describe you can format them to fat32 n/p. If so , is there any problem with transferring my saved data from a FAT32 disk to an NTFS system or vice versa? No.
The operating system and programs will continue to be on the primary FAT32 drive.
Are there any other factors/pitfalls that should be looked for? You should be cool. Enjoy your new drive.
Any thoughts will be much appreciated. TIA
Mal

March 30th, 2002	Top \| #1
Malcolm Unregistered Posts: n/a	New Hard Disk I run a dual-boot 98SE/XP Home system and I'm about to replace a 15Gb hard disk (used only for data) to one of about 40GB. It will contain 2 partitions of 20 GB each but since the total size of the disk is over 32GB does this mean that the partitions will HAVE to be formatted in NTFS? If so , is there any problem with transferring my saved data from a FAT32 disk to an NTFS system or vice versa? The operating system and programs will continue to be on the primary FAT32 drive. Are there any other factors/pitfalls that should be looked for? Any thoughts will be much appreciated. TIA Mal

March 30th, 2002	Top \| #3
Black_Pride OSNN Addict Joined: May 2004 Posts: 108 Reputation: 0 Power: 96	Originally posted by allan No, you are fine. XP will not format a FAT partition to larger than 32 gig, but you can split it up to smaller partitions and format with no problem at all. Allan... Are you sure XP wont put a FAT partition on a Drive larger than 32 Gigs? If so....what would happen if you try to create a FAT32 partition of lets say 40 Gigs and then try to install XP on it??? I am asking because of a f-cked up experience I had installing XP and I am trying to find out what went wrong?....any help is greatly appreciated Thanks!!:confused:

March 30th, 2002	Top \| #6
Lonman Bleh! Joined: December 2001 Posts: 2,642 Reputation: 60 Power: 151	Re: New Hard Disk Originally posted by Malcolm I run a dual-boot 98SE/XP Home system and I'm about to replace a 15Gb hard disk (used only for data) to one of about 40GB. It will contain 2 partitions of 20 GB each but since the total size of the disk is over 32GB does this mean that the partitions will HAVE to be formatted in NTFS? No, as long as you partition it the way you describe you can format them to fat32 n/p. If so , is there any problem with transferring my saved data from a FAT32 disk to an NTFS system or vice versa? No. The operating system and programs will continue to be on the primary FAT32 drive. Are there any other factors/pitfalls that should be looked for? You should be cool. Enjoy your new drive. Any thoughts will be much appreciated. TIA Mal

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March 30th, 2002	Top \| #2
allan Unregistered Posts: n/a	XP will not format a FAT partition to larger than 32 gig, but you can format in ntfs and convert later

March 30th, 2002	Top \| #4
allan Unregistered Posts: n/a	You CAN format a large drive using fat, but not larger than 32 gig. Using your example, it will format 32 gigs of the 40 gig drive and leave the rest unformatted. However, you can format any way you like, install XP and then reformat from within the OS using a 3rd party tool such as Partition Magic. Also, you can format the entire drive in NTFS, install XP, and then CONVERT the drive back to FAT (again using Partition Magic).

March 30th, 2002	Top \| #5
Cosmin Graphic Designer Joined: March 2002 Location: Romania Posts: 1,633 Reputation: 110 Power: 138	NTFS partitions are more secure but FAT32 are well known as the best for games and other media applications . NTFS works with large partitions ( as 30 - 40 ... ) but your 20 GB partitions should be necessary for FAT32 .