What does it mean when "Windows Xp's HDD is using a different file allocation system than windows 95/98"?

Question

Also, is there a way to make windows xp's file allocation compatible with windows 95/98's?

Answer 1

You'd have to reformat the drive in FAT32. It's most likely in NTFS right now, which isn't supported by win9x. Boot from a floppy into DOS (or from a flash drive), and use fdisk and format. Or boot from a linux cd and use that to reformat it in FAT32. Make sure you backup your data first, because the harddrive will be completely erased.

Answer 2

File allocation tables determine how many bits you are able use for an operating system. Windows XP is 32 bit and therefore use the NTFS file structure.



I'm not sure what you mean about making XP files compatible with 95 or 98? What kind of files do you mean?

Answer 3

It's the way the computer compresses or clusters related file information together.



Fat32 for example, is a 32 bit compression system used by 8 (i think , dont quote me on that)



Think of it this way.



If your hard disk drive (hdd) was your office. Now think you had a ton of paper work to do in your office. Now take the paper work and scatter it all over the office. Would take you 20 times longer to do it now.



What the allocation system does is compile all the related work tasks into organized clusters so Windows doesnt have to search the entire HDD every time.

Answer 4

This means that file transfers will not be able to be made due to the outdated technology. try searching for what you need at downloads.com

Answer 5

change it to FAT32 from NTFS