NTFS vs. FAT32

We have a four pc network, connected with a Belkin router. My son, daughter, and I all have desktops running Win 98 or SE with a FAT32 format. My wife has a notebook running Win XP Home, also with FAT 32. I'm thinking about upgrading to Win XP Home, but formatting in NTFS. Will I lose my ability to access each other's machines and vice versa? Or should I stay with FAT 32 if I upgrade?

 

NTFS has many advantages; but might not be appropriate in all circumstances. Disadvantages of NTFS:

NTFS volumes are not accessible from MS-DOS, Windows 95, or Windows 98. Think of it as a 1998 Camaro trying to see a 2004 GTO. NTFS can see fat; but not visa versa.

Would a dual boot Windows 98x with a FAT partition, and XP with an NTFS be a better option?

 

Actually, for what you are doing, you'll be fine.

I have 98 machines networked with XP computers and they can all share files....one even has an NTFS format

 

in a network, xp handles that, it really uses the network filesystem so any kind of computer can have read/write support as long as it supports the network filesystem. but if you are trying to view an ntfs volume from the same computer than you will need the drivers.