FAT32 or NTFS

[Bitdman]

When playing FO3 does it make any difference if the file system is FAT32 or NTFS? The Game is installed on its own hard drive.

[ccmechanic2]

When playing FO3 does it make any difference if the file system is FAT32 or NTFS? The Game is installed on its own hard drive.

 

That all depends on the OS, on XP service pack 2, and the drive was formated with that os, it will be very fast, but if the primary is ntfs and the secondary is fat32, it will slow things down, may cause file corruption should scan disk ever kick in at boot up. If both drives are NTFS, it will be much better for the game and the OS Performance. I think it might help a little to give a little more information so what I have given here is generalized coverage.

[Bitdman]

The OS is Windows 7 64bit.sp 1. I noticed the file system type when I ran check disk and couldn't remember if I even formatted the drive or not because I have 5 drives. (2) in RAID 0 and (2) individual, all are SSDs. Then a Veloci Raptor for storage. If I try to change the file system type will I need to re-install the game? Will I be able to still use my saves or not?

 

The game has started crashing after I was transported to the alien ship but only after several hours of play time, so it's not a big problem.

 

I deffraged the drive and ran chkdsk and thats when I noticed the file system was FAT32

[evilneko]

Considering that none of Fallout 3's necessary files are over 4GB, no. It will make no difference.

 

Changing file systems involves formatting the drive.

[sanjima]

If I try to change the file system type will I need to re-install the game?

Yes. As said before, changing a file system format type requires a complete reformat of the drive (or partition). You'll have to completely reinstall Fallout 'cause everything will be completely wiped from the drive.

 

Will I be able to still use my saves or not?

Your saves are held in [Drive letter containing Windows]:\Users\[username]\My Documents\My Games\Fallout 3\Saves

If the drive you're changing the format of is different from the drive Windows is on (which I recall you saying it is) then you won't have to worry about your save files being lost.

However, I would suggest making a copy of your save files somewhere just so you have a backup copy. And make sure that you remember the entire folder directory that it's held in 'cause it won't work if they're anywhere else xD

 

 

Also I would strongly recommend using NTFS as your file system on any internal drive you use. The NTFS format is much more stable and corruption resistant than any variations of FAT, and it's faster as well.

System consistency is a good habit to follow in general, and using NTFS over FAT32 on a large internal drive is no argument. I would change it to NTFS without a moment's thought.

Edited April 17, 2011 by sanjima

[Bitdman]

Thanks for the feedback and advice

Since the game was saved while playing on Fat32 drive will the save be in fat32 file system even though the save is on a NTFS drive? :wallbash:

[sanjima]

Since the game was saved while playing on Fat32 drive will the save be in fat32 file system even though the save is on a NTFS drive? :wallbash:

 

No, a file does not impact the difference in the file system type. If it is on an NTFS drive, then it's with the NTFS format.

In addition, you can copy or move files to and from drives with different file system types just fine.