NTFS vs. FAT for Windows XP Bootcamp

[jason123]

Hey all, I recently got a mbp and I am planning on installing windows xp via bootcamp onto it so I can play a couple computer games and run windows only software. I know there is a choice when partitioning the drive between NTFS and FAT, so which do you all recommend?

I know that FAT allows you to access files from either OS, but NTFS makes it so you can not (?). Is there any reason to even use NTFS if this is the case?

Thanks

 

[Tallest Skil]

Get MacFUSE to read and write to NTFS from OS X.

 

[Neil321]

FAT32 is a old and cruddy file system with limitations, as skil mentioned go NTFS with either MacFuse or paragon, that way you r/w access from OS X

 

[Stridder44]

NTFS all the way. FAT is Windows 98 tech. It amazes me it's still supported.

 

[TheReef]

Outdated, yes, but we've been using FAT with no problems.

 

[eXan]

FAT32 has the limitation of 4GB per file.

By default, Macs can only read NTFS.

 

[anim8or]

Or...

you could get Paragon NTFS for mac...

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/

Its a great tool for writing to NTFS drives on Mac OS X....

Not too expensive either!

 

[Neil321]

Or...you could get Paragon NTFS for mac...

Been quoted,thanks anyways

 

[Carrot007]

NTFS all the way. FAT is Windows 98 tech. It amazes me it's still supported.

It what way is FAT 98 tech?

FAT 32 was released with Windows 95 OSR 2, I remember reformatting a machine I bought at the time so I could benefit from the improvements.

And earlier incarnations go back much much further!!

 

[aki]

my advice....

FAT32 is old and there is no reason to use unless you REALLY need to often read/write data from both win and osx.....u should used NTFS

if you need to share data u can consider a main NTFS partition and a smaller FAT32 just for shared data

for sometimes when you need to move things u can do macfuse or paragon or macdrive the other way......in my case i have parallels so i just use that to mount my NTFS drive when i need to

.....my own personal advice is....if u can organise your life so u do different task in each OS its much easier.....in my case i live and work in osx and only game in bootcamp

doing daily things in 2 oses is just wasting time unless u have to

good luck!!!

 

[RITZFit]

I vote for NTFS. I've actually be able to PULL files from my NTFS windows partition in OS X, I just can't write to it...my external drive formatted in FAT solves that tho, just slightly tedious.

 

[showtime]

NTFS unless you really need to write files from your mac partition to your windows partition but from reading what you want to do I wouldn't think twice about formatting it as NTFS

 

[fiercetiger224]

Format in NTFS, you won't regret it. FAT32 is a pain in the butt when you've got files larger than 4 GB in size. Also, NTFS is faster in general.

If you ever get the chance, build a really cheap server, throw Ubuntu, set up Samba, and you've got yourself an awesome home server, perfect for sharing files. Hell, if you've got an old computer, you can do it already.