For your system to be on Fat32 it would have to be an upgrade from Win2000 or older. I only ever use the Pro version of WinXP so I guess it is possible that the Home version can format to Fat32 but as far as I know and have read the only option is NTFS.
You can convert a Fat32 disk to NTFS with a few clicks but you cannot go back. NTFS is a lot more stable and less prone to loosing data.

hmmm... ok, with WinXP you can buy either a boxed product (standard retail / OEM package) that comes with a licence key either in the box or stuck on the case of the PC (most likely with a brand name PC like Dell etc...) OR you can get a site licence for an office that allows you to install WinXP on many PCs without having to authenticate them to Microsoft.
The retail version is a licence to install WinXP on ONE PC with up to TWO processors inside.
Hyper threading is a thing that Intel came up with that made the processor look like two processors. the benefit of doing this is that if one of the theoretical processors are busy (compressing a new MP3?) then the other processor can do the task. this reduces the wait time for a process to be performed. if there was only one processor then it would have to divide it's time / resources between the two tasks.
A hyper threaded processor counts as only 1 processor to WinXP. So, if you had a WinXP PC with 2 hyper threaded processors then it would behave like a 4 processor system (but just a bit slower - much faster than just 2 processors tho).

Processors with Hyper threading are Pentium 4:
2.8GHz (can be either hyper threaded or not - check before you buy)
3.0GHz
3.2GHZ
3.4GHZ and beyond

3.06GHZ is NOT Hyper threaded.

Saintly,

Just a minor point you may or may not find useful someday...you CAN use the FAT file system with Windows XP Pro. Although, I have to agree with you and ask, why someone would want to, since NTFS is much more stable.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1089007154.jpg

Randy

I agree with Recale: use NTFS. Fat 32 is like keeping thermal reactors on your 2.7. :eek:

What's disturbing is it sounds as if XP is a one trick pony with any processor below Pentium 4 (or without hyper-threading). Hmmm...sounds like another Windows/Intel scam: buy the better processor and have the ability to load XP more than once.

Such a deal...:rolleyes:

Hyperthreading is allowing 2 similar processes - the same instruction, just different data - to be run at the same time on a single physical CPU. This does make the second virtual CPU show up in the task manager, etc. but it won't match the other cpu all the time perfectly. It also requires a SMP capable operating system - NT Workstation/server, 2k pro/server/etc, XP Pro, server 2k3, various x86 based *nix systems, etc.

True SMP is when you have 2 physical processors. Again, you don't get 100% boost in speed, but for multi-tasking it really speeds things up. If an application is written to take advantage of it (multithreaded), it is possible to use both CPUs at once for the same task. Even if your apps aren't multithreaded, the operating system can shuffle the tasks back and forth to whichever processor is available at any given moment.

Hmmm... Every version of WinXP install disks that I have seen (beta, gold, SP1) does NOT have the 'Format Fat32' option.
Maybe they are trialling the NTFS option in Australia like they did with the Authenticate Office 2000 previously.
It might also have to do with the fact that I always delete existing partitions and re-create them when I install WinXP. The Format Fat32 may only come up when you are installing to an existing Fat32 partition?

Regardless, NTFS is the way to go.

Take a closer look at the image I posted. It shows TWO choices for file systems. NTFS and FAT...there is NO option for FAT32.

Randy

Sorry, I just assume Fat as Fat32 as i am sure that Fat16 is very dead.

Well, I didnt get this lovly screen on my 450. Maybe because it was a Pen 3, who knows. Arr, its time to upgrade to a new computer anywho.

Hi,
You would only get this screen if you deleted any existing partitions and then re-created them. if your installing to an existing partition then the installer doesn't need to format.