FAT32 Partitions on XP

Uwe Wulf's suggestions on creating and using FAT32 partitions on XP:

Partition Magic can be used to resize partitions under Windows XP so you can create a FAT32 partition. However, you need Version 7 or 8 of Partition Magic because XP-NTFS 3.1 will only be fully supported at this Version (see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308322).

With the predecessors of Partition Magic you can ruin your XP-NTFS-System (unfortunately I did it myself). And Partition Magic 7/8 cannot resize NTFS partitions smaller than 50% (see http://www.powerquest.com/support/primus/id2466.cfm).

Due to my experience of trouble with XP-NTFS it would be better - if you had the chance and the patience - to install XP newly with NTFS for the System-partition and a bigger "Extra"-partition (FAT32) for former programs which are not NTFS-compatible (I think, GPL is not the only one).

My optimized XP-Pro (for GPL):

C:\ 10 GB System (NTFS)
D:\ 400 MB for the SwapFile in FAT (RAM x 1,5)
E:\ Individual size for Programs (NTFS)
F:\ Individual size for former Programs (FAT32)

Uwe


My own XP Pro system is set up slightly differently but uses the same principles:

C:\ 10 GB System and new programs (NTFS)
D:\ 30 GB Older programs and data (FAT32)
E:\ 8 GB Swap File and data (second hard drive, FAT32)

Alison