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View Full Version : Can I still access DOS if I change to NTFS? (W2K)


kef999
10-09-2002, 10:29 AM
As a Win2K user (and using it under FAT32), I find it very useful to be able to boot from and use a Win98 startup floppy if I want to use FDISK, or something like that, to reorganise disks.

I've been given to understand that the reason why I'm able to use the Win98 floppy and generally work in DOS is entirely because I've stayed with FAT32.

I'm now thinking of changing to the NT file system instead but is what I've been told true? Will I lose the ability to use the Win98 floppy to get to an A or C prompt (outside of Windows) as a consequence?

(Please note that I do NOT want to use the Convert command or anything similar in Windows to change to NTFS, as that causes a subsequent slowing down of file access).
Paul S
10-09-2002, 02:05 PM
Hi,

Your Windows 98 boot disk will still allow you to access a: as this is the floppy drive, however, you will not be able to read any data on any drive formatted as NTFS.

Regards,

<font color=green>Paul</font color=green>

<font color=blue>mailto:paul@winguides.com (paul@winguides.com)</font color=blue>
BertImmenschuh
10-09-2002, 02:14 PM
And what Paul38 said is exactly why my drives are still FAT32.

Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement
kef999
10-09-2002, 03:58 PM
Paul, so are you saying that I can still run FDISK, for example (and do disk formatting and partitioning using FDISK)? It's my understanding that all the files for FDISK are on the Win98 floppy.
Paul S
10-09-2002, 04:08 PM
Hi,

You are coorect with your assumption about the loaction of FDISK, it is on your boot disk.

The only thing you will be able to do with FDISK and NTFS is remove NTFS partitions. FDISK will report these as HPFS.

Hope this helps...

<font color=green>Paul</font color=green>

<font color=blue>mailto:paul@winguides.com (paul@winguides.com)</font color=blue>
kef999
10-10-2002, 10:09 AM
Hmm. Sounds like I'd be better off staying with FAT32.
Paul S
10-10-2002, 11:46 AM
Definately, I prefer FAT32 due to the fact it is a more flexible file system. NTFS does have many good points though...

Regards,

<font color=green>Paul</font color=green>

<font color=blue>mailto:paul@winguides.com (paul@winguides.com)</font color=blue>
123456nl
10-17-2002, 04:43 AM
dos just can read/write data in fat not NTFS.but u have command promp(cmd).