Re: Can XP on an NTFS partition read data on a FAT32 partition on the same HDD?

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Menno Hershberger (mhersh22_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 06/11/04 

Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 16:01:58 -0700

I'm with you on Fat 32. I dual boot 98 and XP and like to be able to read
files both ways. I also use DOS (under 98) a lot. However, I finally did
break down and format an extra drive in NTFS on account of file size
restrictions. Of course I can't see that drive when I'm running Windows
98.

Fred@anonymous.com wrote in news:40C9BF0A.2CF88927@nycap.rr.com:

> Hi Crusty,
>
> I used to have a dual boot system with WinME and WinXP (NTFS) until a
> HDD failure occurred. I had image files of my NTFS WinXP and my Fat32
> WinME "system" partitions, and full Backups (image and data file BU)
> on one data partition. Also had other partitions for image files, and
> zipped programs (utilities, unique programs, driver BU, etc.). I also
> have a second HDD with a current image to hidden partitions that match
> the System and data partitions. Lastly I have backups of everything on
> my Iomega External HDD.
>
> Since I found that I was using WinME less and less and found WinXP to
> be so much better, I set up my system to just boot to WinXP and that's
> the way it is today. I have continued the Fat32, Data, Image, and
> Misc. BU partitions. I also have a laptop set up the exact same way.
>
> Unless there is some real critical factor with your data that requires
> the "features" of NTFS, I recommend keeping the data and image files,
> etc. on Fat32 (actually most image SW requires Fat partitions for
> storing image files). My main reason for this is that access to the
> data, image, drivers, sipped program files, etc. are easily available
> to me using DOS, I can boot with a Win98 disk and without ANY effort
> at all move, copy, delete, add, etc. any data, image, etc. files.
> There is no easy way to do this if everything was NTFS and that is
> totally unacceptable to ne.
>
> I was able to switch to my second HDD, refresh the system image, I
> restored my data files (due to good BU on hand) and was up and running
> in less than an hour. I installed a replacement HDD and set that up
> just as before again within an hour too. In the interim, I used the
> Win98 disk to boot and retrieved current Data files from the Fat32
> partitions and copied some important "stuff" to my laptop.
>
> There is no way, in my opinion, to do this as easily with NTFS all
> over the place.
>
> Just another point of view.
>
> Fred
>
> "Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)" wrote:
>
>> Yes it can. But if you are not dual booting with an older operating
>> system, why use the older, and less efficient, fat32 file system.
>> Create the 2nd partition as NTFS also.
>>
>> --
>> Regards:
>>
>> Richard Urban
>>
>> aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)
>>
>> "Chris Falner" <cfalner@nowhere.net> wrote in message
>> news:uSZpMG6TEHA.644@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> > I have XP Home installed on an NTFS partition that takes
>> > up half of my HDD. The other half is empty - no partition.
>> >
>> > If I create a FAT32 partition in the empty space, will XP
>> > be able to read and/or write data files on that partition?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Chris
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ---
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> 

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