Formating NTFS

Blackthorns.Legacy · 09-02-2005, 04:48 AM

I'm trying to get a HDD ready to dual-boot Linux & XP, but I don't think mkfs can format a partition as NTFS. Do I need to download a special formating tool? Or is there another program that I would have that can format more File Systems?

okmyx · 09-02-2005, 05:03 AM

Yes there is a special NTFS format tool, it's called a Window XP install disk. :-)

Joking aside windows is odd in the fact that it expects its partition to be the first on the disk. The usual process is to install XP (partition will be created and formated as part of the install) and then to install Linux on the free space.

syg00 · 09-02-2005, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by okmyx
Joking aside windows is odd in the fact that it expects its partition to be the first on the disk.

Not strickly true - the NT based loader(s) require the system partition to be a primary and boot-able, and on the primary boot disk.
There is supposedly a new loader for Vista, but haven't looked if it behaves the same.

If you already have Linux installed, just leave some unformatted space for XP and as okmyx suggested, let the installer format it.
Be careful though, as it won't recognise any Linux partitions, and will probably offer to expunge them as well.

Blackthorns.Legacy · 09-02-2005, 01:48 PM

Well, my current setup I installed Linux First then left some unpartitioned space for XP to make NTFS itself, but i would like to do all my Disk formating from linux if possable...

syg00 · 09-02-2005, 05:36 PM

Don't see the point - it's a proprietry format. Let software from the owner manage it.
You'd have been finished the install in the time you're fretting over it.

Create a FAT32 on Linux if you must - XP will use it or reformat it on install.

teckk · 09-02-2005, 07:14 PM

Also if you install windows after Linux, windows will overwrite the MBR and you wont be able to boot Linux without reinstalling the boot loader.

saikee · 09-02-2005, 07:26 PM

Don't flog a dead horse!

It is a public knowledge that Linux avoids writing on a NTFS partition so how can it offers to format it. If it does it what is the benefit to Linux whiich uses its own filing systems like Ext2 and Ext3.

It is true one can format the partition in FAT32 and throw it at XP. XP wouldn't dare to touch a Linux partition but it certainly could make the advance to a PC user to format the whole disk for its installation.