[Ham-Computers] FAT 32 and NTFS

[Jay Eimer]

FAT - File Allocation Table.  This is the method used in Windows 3.x
(FAT16) and Win9x (95, 98 and ME are FAT32) for tracking what files are
where on the hard drive.  FAT16 uses 16 bit (really 20 bit - but that's
a small difference), which is why it had problems when hard drives went
above a certain size (around 2GB).  FAT32 obviously can handle much
larger disks with no problem.  But FAT has no security.

NTFS - NT File System.  It's only used by Windows NT (3.5 server, 4.0
server and workstation, Win2000 and WinXP).  Win NT based operating
systems can read FAT disks, as well as NTFS disks (and partitions of
disks) but Win9x family OS's can't read NTFS.  NTFS has a number of
additional features, such as better directory level security, and true
file level security, that Win9x doesn't have.  It's also been true 32
bit from the start.  Originally designed for Microsoft's server OS back
when desktop OS of choice was Windows 3.11 for Workgroups, it's much
more robust and reliable than FAT, in addition to the added security.

On the other hand, NTFS does have its drawbacks.  If you don't turn the
security on, it's no more secure than FAT.  And many low level utilities
that are out there for FAT partitions don't work on NTFS, and those that
do may not work as well.

HTH, 
Jay
AD5PE

-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 21:19
To: ham-computers at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ham-Computers] FAT 32 and NTFS


need educating here
what  is the difference between fat 32 and ntfs system files

Don

Peace through superior firepower
real time observations page http://www.angelfire.com/ms2/paswx
HAM RADIO http://www.jcara.org




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