Use FAT32 file system
When saving files, the computer uses the file system to control the way the hard drive saves files or folders. Old versions of MS-DOS and Windows use unique FAT16 file systems. Press the default specification, Windows 98 uses FAT16, but provides options using FAT32. The FAT32 file system is an enhanced file system that improves disk performance and increases the available disk space.
1. Learn about the storage method of information
When saving files or installation programs, the computer stores information to a small area called a cluster on the hard disk. The smaller the cluster, the higher the efficiency of the hard disk storage information. The size of the cluster depends on the size of the partition, and the size of the partition depends on the file system used. Most computers use a partition by default.
The following table describes the larger partitions and smaller clusters that can be used in the FAT32 file system. FAT16 does not support 2 Gb or more partitions, FAT32 does not support partitions below 512 MB.
Size size FAT16 cluster size FAT32 cluster size 32 MB 2 KB-128 MB2 KB-256 MB4 KB-512 MB8 KB4 KB1 GB16 KB4 KB2 GB32 KB4 KB3 GB-7 GB-4 KB8 GB-16 GB-8 KB16 GB-32 GB-16 KB is greater than 32 GB-32 KB
If the hard drive is less than 2 GB and the computer is used by the FAT16 file system, the performance will not be changed to FAT32. However, if the hard disk is between 2 GB and 2 TB, you want to increase efficiency, it needs to be converted to FAT32.
Compared with FAT16, the FAT32 file system has the following advantages:
The program opens faster (increased by 50%). The cluster used is smaller, so it can improve the utilization rate of disk space - increase 15%. 2 TB hard drives can be formatted as a single drive, eliminating the troubles of the hard disk partition. The root directory can be relocated and a copy of the FAT is used to improve the reliability of the computer.
Second. Convert to FAT32
Use the FAT32 conversion tool to easily convert your hard drive to the FAT32 file system. Please read the following article before converting the file system:
If there is no Windows 98 boot disk, before converting to FAT32, execute the steps described in the "Using the Boot Disk" section in this chapter to create a startup disk. For drivers that still want to run without supporting FAT32, they should not be converted to FAT32. Also, if you run Windows 98 and another operating system in a dual boot environment, convert the primary disk to FAT32 may make another operating system. This is also true even if another operating system is installed on another drive. If the anti-virus software is running, it detects the update partition table and the boot record, and prompts the update. As such, please allow anti-virus software to update. After converting to FAT32, the stored information cannot be compressed or resched to FAT16 unless the third-party partition management utility designed for this purpose is used. If you have a removable drive using another operating system, don't convert it to FAT32. On the FAT32 drive, the "sleep" feature cannot work. The so-called "sleep" feature is to allow some computers to enter the suspended state, close all power supplies. If the hard drive is converted to FAT32, Windows 98 will not be uninstalled. Although most programs are not converted from FAT16 to FAT32, some old disk utilities depends on FAT16 cannot work on the FAT32 drive. Please contact the disk utility manufacturer with the FAT32 compatible update version.
The FAT32 driver can be shared by MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT® Workstation Version 4.0, Windows NT Server Version 4.0, and Windows NT Server Version 4.0. In addition, the MS-DOS VERSION 7.1 (which is provided with Windows 98) also supports FAT32. Convert to FAT32 file system
Click Start, point to "Programs", point to "Attachment", point to System Tool, and then click the Drive Converter (FAT32). After reading the screen information, click Next. Use the drive you want to convert in the Drive. A message appears, reminding you: MS-DOS, Windows and Windows NT's old versions cannot access the FAT32 drive. Click "OK" to continue, or click "Cancel" to exit the drive conversion wizard. Drive Conversion Wizard Search and FAT32 is not compatible with anti-virus software and disk utilities. If the drive conversion wizard discovers an incompatible program, you can view the description of these programs to view "Details". If you do not find an incompatible program, click Next. To back up files before converting to FAT32, click Create Backup. If you do not have a Windows 98 backup program, you will be prompted to install it. When you are ready to continue, click Next, click Next. The computer restarts and starts the conversion. On a large or very full drive, the finishing and conversion of about more than an hour. After the conversion is complete, a message tells you to convert success or unsuccessful. Note Your anti-virus software may detect partition tables and boot records have been changed, then submit "Repair". Don't repair! If repairing, the machine's boot record and partition table will change again, your drive and all data cannot be accessed. If the conversion is successful, click Finish. The conversion ends. If the conversion is unsuccessful, a message explaining the cause of the conversion failure occurs.
Return Win98
