Formating

[jrahhali]

I have never formatted before but am wondering. If DOS uses a FAT file system and you are running a OS with a different file system like NTFS is it possible to format using DOS? (Because you formatting a NTFS file system with a FAT file system). if so can someone explian why. thanks

[RoD]

You can manage partitions using fdisk but you need to use a third party utility or the windows installer to create NTFS partitions.

[confuted]

You can't run DOS on an NTFS partition...

[Iamien]

you can use a bootdisk, which will create a ramdrive in the fat32 format, and use that

[RoD]

Sure you can. I have XP on a NTFS and i use dos all the time.

[Iamien]

RoD not the console but true dos, which doesn't support NTFS. with XP there is noi true dos unless your dual booting with two partitions <as dos cannot see NTFS

[RoD]

oh, no $$$$. Ok then i was wrong

[adrianxw]

When you try to run a genuine 16bit DOS program on any NT cored system, (NT,2000,XP i.e. a true 32bit core), it will try by using a technique called "Windows On Windows". Basically, a subsystem with a whole load of programs with "WOW", (Windows On Windows), in their name load and run a 16bit DOS emulator to try to make your old stuff work.

There is no true DOS on an NT cored system.

[jrahhali]

so DOS on any NT cored system is not "true DOS" it's a 32 bit version?

but still, how can you format a drive via DOS that's running a different file system

[adrianxw]

>>> so DOS on any NT cored system is not "true DOS" it's a 32 bit version?

It is a 32bit DOS emulator that is running, not DOS.

>>> format a drive via DOS that's running a different file system

DOS does not, natively, support NTFS, although I believe there are some third party products that fiddle it.

[o0obruceleeo0o]

The easiest way to format using WinXP (if thats what you're using) is to just use the WinXP cd, and make sure that you make CD the only thing to boot in bios. Then just follow the onscreen steps.