HOW TO: FAT32 on NTFS

[croatia21]

This is from article By Charlie Russel

NTFS vs. FAT: Which Is Right for You?
Published: October 1, 2001
By Charlie Russel, Microsoft MVP for Windows Server and Tablet PC

The Advantages of NTFS
The NTFS file system, introduced with first version of Windows NT, is a completely different file system from FAT. It provides for greatly increased security, file–by–file compression, quotas, and even encryption. It is the default file system for new installations of Windows XP, and if you're doing an upgrade from a previous version of Windows, you'll be asked if you want to convert your existing file systems to NTFS. Don't worry. If you've already upgraded to Windows XP and didn't do the conversion then, it's not a problem. You can convert FAT16 or FAT32 volumes to NTFS at any point. Just remember that you can't easily go back to FAT or FAT32 (without reformatting the drive or partition), not that I think you'll want to.

The NTFS file system is generally not compatible with other operating systems installed on the same computer, nor is it available when you've booted a computer from a floppy disk. For this reason, many system administrators, myself included, used to recommend that users format at least a small partition at the beginning of their main hard disk as FAT. This partition provided a place to store emergency recovery tools or special drivers needed for reinstallation, and was a mechanism for digging yourself out of the hole you'd just dug into. But with the enhanced recovery abilities built into Windows XP (more on that in a future column), I don't think it's necessary or desirable to create that initial FAT partition.

I know how to create NTFS but i dont know how to format at least a small partition at the beginning of my main hard disk as FAT.

Does enyone know?

[foxyshadis]

You'll need a tool like Acronis Disk Director or Norton Partition Magic to repartition a chunk of a drive you're currently using. However, today most linux distros, as well as BSD and OSX, can read and write NTFS, so it's not as big a deal as it used to be.

If you're in the mood to tinker, there's a win32 driver for ext3, the standard *nix filesystem and far better than fat. ;)

[Doobie]

Don't bother with a FAT32 partition.

Look at the date of that, 2001. The floppy is dead and there's no need to boot from a floppy to access the hard drive, as the author of this article is thinking. You can put any needed tools on a bootable CDROM.

More importantly, you should keep all your stuff backed up and not be in much need of recoveing a HDD. Think of a trashed HDD as a good time to start out with a fresh install, or a new super-big, dirt-cheap HDD. And, if there's anything you need and can get off the old HDD, you can access it from the new HDD.

Besides, NTFS has proven itself to be very reliable and if you don't know how to create a FAT32 partition now... well, even if you manage to creat one, it won't do you any good. Let's just leave it at that.

[Shinigami-Sama]

You'll need a tool like Acronis Disk Director or Norton Partition Magic to repartition a chunk of a drive you're currently using. However, today most linux distros, as well as BSD and OSX, can read and write NTFS, so it's not as big a deal as it used to be.

If you're in the mood to tinker, there's a win32 driver for ext3, the standard *nix filesystem and far better than fat. ;)

ohh...
where can I try that one out?
sounds like fun :)

[foxyshadis]

http://www.chrysocome.net/explore2fs

Aww, but it looks like writing was found to be too unstable and was removed. Drat. Filesystems can be tough beasts.

Also, ReiserFS: http://p-nand-q.com/e/reiserfs.html

[Shinigami-Sama]

ah that sucks :(
looks interesting at least :)

[GodofaGap]

For repartitioning on any OS: The gparted LiveCD (http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php) / features (http://gparted.sourceforge.net/features.php).

Besides moving its support most things you'd want from a partioner.

[croatia21]

Thanks for all help but the question is still the same. How to do it?

Can some tell me this step by step. I dont trust myself. I can format my HD and create 2 disk with NTFS or maybe just one with my windows XP installation CD. Now i have windows XP installed on NTFS. The next step should be to create small FAT partition at the beginning of my hard disk. How to do this final step?

Some games like new Spellforce 2 EU version requires that system must be NTFS (US version works on FAT32).
Will this game play if i have small partition at the beginning of my main hard disk as FAT? I am afraid that PC will tell me that my system is FAT32.
I cannot play dos games if i have got only NTFS but if i had also smal FAT partition at the beggining of my HD then i should play dos games also. Yes or no?

[CWR03]

I am afraid that PC will tell me that my system is FAT32.
This shouldn't ever happen, mainly because FAT32 or NTFS isn't a "system." The only real difference between the two from an operational standpoint is that NTFS can handle files in excess of 4GB, whereas FAT32 cannot. You should be able to run XP from a FAT32 partition or drive and install a game to an NTFS-formatted drive with no problems.

[foxyshadis]

But why? No one uses DOS repair disks anymore, Linux livecds for fixing problems (with a gui no less) are everywhere, with the capability to reset passwords, modify system files, etc on ntfs. It'd make more sense to keep a CD or DVD with important drivers or a system backup on it, rather than trying to fumble around in DOS with none of the new specialty recovery tools.

What would make sense is partitioning your drive into OS and data drives, so that the OS can be reimaged or at least wiped and reinstalled easily if it corrupts. You have to reinstall games on the new drives, but it's worth it. I can't tell you how to do that with free software, because I only trust Acronis partition manager, but I imagine it's just a matter of the right command lines.

[croatia21]

But why? No one uses DOS repair disks anymore, Linux livecds for fixing problems (with a gui no less) are everywhere, with the capability to reset passwords, modify system files, etc on ntfs. It'd make more sense to keep a CD or DVD with important drivers or a system backup on it, rather than trying to fumble around in DOS with none of the new specialty recovery tools.

What would make sense is partitioning your drive into OS and data drives, so that the OS can be reimaged or at least wiped and reinstalled easily if it corrupts. You have to reinstall games on the new drives, but it's worth it. I can't tell you how to do that with free software, because I only trust Acronis partition manager, but I imagine it's just a matter of the right command lines.

Then please tell me how to do this with Acronis partition manager. Maybe one of my friends have it or i will buy it.

[jggimi]

This isn't the appropriate forum for Windows OS tutorials.

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=57466