NTFS or FAT32 on multi OS rig?

[Stinger 0]

I know from what people have told me and what I have heard that NTFS is better, but I only hear that mentioned for single os systems. Is FAT32 better for a multi OS rig? I plan on formatting and then installing Linux after XP is on there. Thanks

[snakebite1967 0]

if your going to multi boot with xp and linux then youl have to go fat 32 not ntfs tho if you want to multi boot 98 and xp ntfs is ok, with linux if you intend to multi boot just boot from floppy and youl be fine

Edited February 19, 2003 by snakebite1967

[=MM= SHADOW 0]

Ok lets help you out here.

There are 4 common kinds of file system FAT, FAT32,NTFS and Linux

Windows 95 uses FAT (obsolete)

Windows 98/ME use FAT 32

Windows 2000 uses NTFS

Windows XP uses FAT 32 and NTFS

Linux Uses Linux

NTFS file systems can see FAT file systems but FAT file systems cant see NTFS.

Therefore if you are dual booting Win98/ME with XP then it is best to use FAT 32 so you can swap files from both O/S's

Linux cant see either so while dual booting you either use bios commands or a boot manager but you are unable to see the other drives.

Also remember FAT32 can be converted to NTFS without loss of files whilst NTFS cannot be converted to FAT32.

NTFS is a much better, quicker and security conscious system to use and is reccomended for Windows XP.

So Basically to cut to the point if you want to dual boot XP and LINUX it makes no difference as you will need to re format your new drive or partition with the Linux file system anyway.

Hope you understand this

Edited February 19, 2003 by =MM= SHADOW

[Stinger 0]

Thanks guys sorry for the late reply. I didnt think anybody posted. I was told not too long ago that a dual boot system may not be good for a gaming rig a lot. But I remmbered that my Iomega External HDD is on FAT32 IIRC. How hard is it too boot from a USB device?