Thread: Windows XP and FAT 32

  1. #1
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    Windows XP and FAT 32

    Can any one tell me what is the maximum size of a FAT 32 hard disk partition that windows XP can support.

    One can format a partition in FAT32 file system using windowx XP upto 32 GB. My question is that if I format a partition in FAT 32 having a size greater than 32 GB using some other disk utilites ,will windows XP read this partition?

  2. #2
    Refugee face_master's Avatar
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    Uh...XP uses NTFS, not FAT32

  3. #3
    Registered User rick barclay's Avatar
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    From what I've been told, XP has no limits on the size of your
    disk partition or the amount of ram memory. I run Win XP
    on a 100 GB FAT 32 partition. No problems (so far).
    No. Wait. Don't hang up!

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  4. #4
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    Uhhhhhhhhh

    Uhhhhhhhhhh XP uses both FAT32 and NTFS

  5. #5
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    Originally posted by face_master
    Uh...XP uses NTFS, not FAT32
    You can use either.....
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  6. #6
    ~- Y u n a -~ beely's Avatar
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    hmm.... yeah, XP use both NTFS and FAT 32
    well, as i know, NTFS is better and high tech (better than FAT32). coz it's will controls and manages the HD better.

  7. #7
    Me want cookie! Monster's Avatar
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    FAT32

    - Partition: from 512 MB up to 2 TB.
    - However in Windows XP you can format a FAT32 partition up to 32 GB only (bug???)
    - Maximum file size is 4 GB.

    NTFS:

    - Partition: from 10 MB up to much larger than 2 TB
    - Cannot be used on floppy disks.
    - File size limited only by size of the partition
    - Some older programs may not run on an NTFS volume

    Tip: use Win98 or ME startup disk to format a FAT32 partition larger than 32 GB.

    And yes, Windows XP can read partitions larger than 32 GB (up to 2 Terabytes, in theory).
    Last edited by Monster; 12-18-2002 at 05:59 AM.

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    NTFS adds journaling and file/folder security.
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  9. #9
    ATH0 quzah's Avatar
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    Originally posted by Monster
    FAT32

    - Partition: from 512 MB up to 2 TB.
    - However in Windows XP you can format a FAT32 partition up to 32 GB only (bug???)

    And yes, Windows XP can read partitions larger than 32 GB (up to 2 Terabytes, in theory).
    MS Knowledge Base:
    # You cannot format a volume larger than 32 gigabytes (GB) in size using the FAT32 file system during the Windows XP installation process. Windows XP can mount and support FAT32 volumes larger than 32 GB (subject to the other limits), but you cannot create a FAT32 volume larger than 32 GB by using the Format tool during Setup. If you need to format a volume that is larger than 32 GB, use the NTFS file system to format it. Another option is to start from a Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) Startup disk and use the Format tool included on the disk.
    It's apparently just a limitation, supposedly during setup. I have an 80GB that is formatted as a single FAT32 partition, and it reads it fine. My other drive, which I formatted during setup, had to be broken into chunks, or I had to use NTFS, as per above.

    Quzah.
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  10. #10
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    That 32 cap is a load of bullcrap. You can format FAT32 much bigger then that and XP is going to support it. When i had the tera formatted to fat32 it read the entire thing with no problems.

    But i STRONGLY reccomend use of NTFS.

    /* edit: in regards to monsters post, a floppy disk can be formatted in NTFS; to my knowledge it is a option in windows format.*/
    Last edited by RoD; 12-21-2002 at 08:03 AM.

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