linux and windows xp

[babbing]

sure, that is the work around for that. but if you were to install each one and not bother with mounting them to each other, as far as either one knows, the other isn't there.

[sujoki]

yep, thats how partitions work, i find that mounting a windows fat32 partition is more usefull, sometimes windows goes into spurts of not wanting to deleat a file because it is "in use" when i havent used the file for weeks, ie a movie, then bam goto linux and bye bye stupid file.

[Syn]

Mhm... and if you install XP on a fat partition, then you can edit files and so on NTFS is readable, but not completely writable yet. Using fat partitions as data drives between winblows and linux works very well too, if you find yourself sharing information, or reading/writing things from both OS's.

[sujoki]

indeed syn.

[SkyNet]

Yes, you can write with FAT32, but my question is: If you don't have FAT32 already formatted, or at least the current filesystem, then how do you get the Windows XP CD to format to FAT32?

If this is the case you only get the NTFS option. If you're lucky to own a Windows 98 disc of any kind, then you're going to be find, but what of those that dont.

[vwgtiturbo]

You can format fat32 with the CD when you install. However, you cannot take an active partition (that you already have formatted as NTFS) and convert it to fat32. If you do have an installation already in place, you can convert from fat32 to NTFS. It is a one way street...

[SkyNet]

So if you go NTFS then there's no going back? Assuming all you have is the WinXP disc.

[sujoki]

depends on how much hard drive space you have and if you feel like doing some data moving :-P

[vwgtiturbo]

Theoretically, yes, there is no going back to FAT from NTFS. The only solution would be, like Omo stated, move all of your data, and destroy the partition, reformatting it from the beginning with FAT. This can be done with the CD, except for the moving of data....

[SkyNet]

Alright that's what I wanted to know. Usually when I reformat I'm at a point where the contents of the HDD don't matter. To get his straight from what I've heard.

If my system is already using NTFS, and I'm wanting to convert to FAT32, then I would have to reboot with the XP cd, and delete the partition. After that once I create it again, I'll be able to choose FAT32 or NTFS?