Filesystem to share between Windows and Linux
 

I'm not quite a newbie, but I am when it comes to filesystems.

I've replaced my Windows with Ubuntu. I keep all my data on a slave drive, formatted in NTFS. The idea is that when I reinstall OSes, I can easily keep all my data safe. NTFS is read-only in Linux, which is a pain. I need a filesystem that can be read/written in both Linux and Windows (in case I need to reinstall it) AND a way of converting NTFS to it. I don't have a copy of partition magic, but maybe I could get hold of one. A free way would be better... I hear ext2 can be read/write in Windows but couldn't find the details of how.

Does anyone have any cunning ideas about which FS to use?

FAT32 would be the best. Ext3 can be read in Win, but with external software. Fat is fully supported by Win and Linux.

I'd completely forgotten about FAT32. Thanks for reminding me. But the hard drive is 120GB, can FAT32 handle that as one partition? Will it get really sluggish or become unstable? Sorry for the follow up questions, but I'd really appreciate your help.

No idea at all :) But I don't see any other possibilities... :( Mayby try to google for drivers for win that support ext2 or (better) ext3.

Fat32 can handle volumes upto 2TB, what you should beware of is its max file size is 4gig (per file that is) so if you do alot of DVD ripping it might be a pain

http://www.ntfs.com/ntfs_vs_fat.htm

Found that, gives some good info on the properties of FAT 32 and NTFS

Thanks very much. Well appreciated.