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Disk Format Considerations
The two prevalent file system formats for PCs are FAT32 and NTFS. Performance is very similar
between the two systems.
NTFS is a newer file system that is compatible only with Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Win-
dows XP. It has fewer limitations than FAT32 and will enable a partition to be created that is larger
than 32GB.
FAT32 is a file system that is compatible with Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 and
Windows XP; In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, you will not be able to create a partition greater
than 32GB.
Use FAT32 if:
• You will be dual booting/accessing data
with an Operating System other than
Windows NT/Windows 2000/XP.
• You may need the ability to dual boot
down the line. Once you have convert-
ed a volume from NTFS to FAT32, there
is no going back. You can convert from
FAT32 to NTFS, but not the other way
around.
• You want to connect to a Mac and have
access to the data. Please note that
MacOS cannot support FAT32 partitions
greater than 128GB.
Use NTFS if:
• You want to encrypt files, assign per-
missions to files, or want to audit files
for access.
• You will be formatting partitions larger
than 32GB.
• You need to store individual files that
are larger than 4GB, or you use a
backup program that writes large
files.
• You need a filing system that can be
mirrored or structured like a RAID 5
configuration.
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