There is an explanation of the differences here:
http://kadaitcha.cx/ntfs.html
I would reformat the USB drive just for the security and speed advantages.
To format in NTFS, right-click My Computer, select Manage/Disk
Management. Right-click the drive in question, select Format.
E B Lund wrote:
> I am running factory installed XP Home on my 20 month old eMachines
> D2880. I partitioned the original hard drive into 3 partitions, C for
> operating system, D for programs, E for data, although there is likely
> some spillover between the three. These use NTFS file system per
> original factory settings.
>
> I purchased a Western Digital USB 2.0 250 GB drive for the primary
> purpose of backing up my partitioned drives. However, it is preformatted
> with FAT32 file system. What to do?
>
> Let me make it clear, I have no clue what NTFS and FAT32 mean. And I am
> open to remaining ignorant if there is no compelling reason for me to
> know. So . . . . . . .
>
> Is there a problem having the two different file systems or should I
> change one, presumably the USB drive?
>
> If I need to change the USB drive to NTFS, I am assuming it will be
> pretty easy to follow XP help to change it, but any guidance would be
> appreciated.
>
> Also, I was thinking that I would partition the USB drive with
> partitions slightly smaller than my C, D and E drives and backing them
> up individually. Any issues with that?
>
> If it matters, I am likely to be installing an internal drive soon with
> Ghost to provide automatic backups and the external drive will be to
> have a seperate backup that is not in the computer assuming it blows
> up. Also, I am not a power user. I use my computer a lot, but it is for
> web surfing, email, and office functions, but not heavy graphics or gaming.
>
> Thank you for your help.
>
> William Closure
>
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