Possible to convert NTFS back to FAT32?

[stalecam]

I'm running XP (which apparently has to run in NTFS) on a 40 gig drive. My question is if i partition this drive, would i be able to convert the partition to FAT32 so that i would be able to load in win98?

cam

 

[amdskip]

I'm not exactly sure how to do it but it can be done. Windows XP can run just fine on FAT32.

 

[stalecam]

 

[stalecam]

Thanks, if i figure out how to convert it to FAT32, i'll just leave it.

 

[Hessakia]

NTFS is much better--no more scandisks on reboots, etc... and is just about as fast, with more security features--leave it NTFS

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: Hessakia
NTFS is much better--no more scandisks on reboots, etc... and is just about as fast, with more security features--leave it NTFS

also, you get to actually use nearly all of your 40GB drive because of the 4k cluster size as opposed to the 32k cluster size, if you were dual booting the sysyem I'd suggest using seperate hard drives and format the win98 partition/drive with fat 32 and the WinXP partititon/drive with NTFS, or better still don't dual boot and get a seperate pc if you have software that run on WinXP. the scandisk thing isn't entirely accurate though, if you have a file system error of some sort you may still need to run chkdsk occasionally, but nowhere near as often as running disk utilities on a fat32 system.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Hessakia
NTFS is much better--no more scandisks on reboots, etc... and is just about as fast, with more security features--leave it NTFS

Actually, not as frequest scan disks on reboots/crashes but it can occur depending on the file system state.
Bill

 

[stalecam]

Im getting the impression NTFS is better! I do have access to a 20 gig drive that i could load win98 on and then i wouldn't have to change a thing. That makes more sense.

Thanks for the input everyone!
cam.

 

[networkman]

In case you still do want to convert from NTFS to FAT32, Partition Magic 8.0 can do it.

PM8 FAQ:

Q: Can PartitionMagic convert file systems?
A: PartitionMagic 8 can convert FAT, FAT32, and NTFS file systems interchangeably. In order to perform these file system conversions, you must install the operating systems that use those file systems. (For example, to convert to or from NTFS, you must install a Windows NT-based operating system, such as Windows NT, 2000, or XP.) You must also adhere to each files system's rules when performing conversions. (For example, to convert a partition to FAT, the partition must be no larger than 2 GB.)

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: stalecam
I'm running XP (which apparently has to run in NTFS) on a 40 gig drive. My question is if i partition this drive, would i be able to convert the partition to FAT32 so that i would be able to load in win98?

cam

Just FYI, your 40GB drive does not need to run in NTFS mode in Windows XP. You cannot format it as >33GB with Disk Manager in Windows, which is by design. Microsoft loves controlling everything we do, including the file system we run. However, if you run the DOS program fdisk from a boot disc, or partition magic in windows, you can easily format a 40GB drive with the full capacity in FAT32.

However, NTFS is actually better than FAT32 in almost every way, so unless you really want to dual boot with Windows 98SE, stick with NTFS.