Can files copied from NTFS to FAT32 under Linux be copied back to XP?

  • Thread starter Thread starter pat_mc
  • Start date Start date
P

pat_mc

Hi -

From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I have
copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable Linux
version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available via the
KDE GUI.

My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal HDD again
once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.

Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the NTFS and
FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied are NOT part
of a partition or drive image but just normal file copies (I believe
this will make a difference since I have learnt from a previous post
that full images can be copied back without a problem).

Thanks in advance -

Pat


--
pat_mc
 
pat_mc . wrote:
> Hi -
>
> From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I have
> copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable Linux
> version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available via the
> KDE GUI.
>
> My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal HDD again
> once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.
>
> Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the NTFS
> and FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied are
> NOT part of a partition or drive image but just normal file copies (I
> believe this will make a difference since I have learnt from a
> previous post that full images can be copied back without a problem).
>
> Thanks in advance -
>
> Pat

The file system format has no bearing on this. So, yes, you can copy.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
From: "pat_mc" .

| Hi -
|
| From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I have
| copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable Linux
| version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available via the
| KDE GUI.
|
| My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal HDD again
| once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.
|
| Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the NTFS and
| FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied are NOT part
| of a partition or drive image but just normal file copies (I believe
| this will make a difference since I have learnt from a previous post
| that full images can be copied back without a problem).
|
| Thanks in advance -
|
| Pat
|
| --
| pat_mc

Yes. It can be done.
However, I suggest scanning the files with an anti virus software prior to copying them.


--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The XP file manager will handle the copy from FAT32 to NTFS just fine. Just
copy.

"pat_mc" . wrote in message
news:pat_mc.35o1be@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
>
> Hi -
>
> From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I have
> copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable Linux
> version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available via the
> KDE GUI.
>
> My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal HDD again
> once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.
>
> Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the NTFS and
> FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied are NOT part
> of a partition or drive image but just normal file copies (I believe
> this will make a difference since I have learnt from a previous post
> that full images can be copied back without a problem).
>
> Thanks in advance -
>
> Pat
>
>
> --
> pat_mc
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks, Lanwench -

Sounds good ... and I trust you on this one.

Somehow, though, I seem to be missing the issue with the different HDD
formats then. If copying files to and fro is not a problem, what's the
fuss about the format differences then. Or let me rephrase: in what
cases would the format differences have a bearing on file transfers
between the external and the internal HDDs?

Thanks again -

Pat


'Lanwench [MVP - Exchange Wrote:
> 932587']pat_mc . wrote:
> > Hi -
> >
> > From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I have
> > copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable Linux
> > version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available via
> the
> > KDE GUI.
> >
> > My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal HDD
> again
> > once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.
> >
> > Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the NTFS
> > and FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied are
> > NOT part of a partition or drive image but just normal file copies (I
> > believe this will make a difference since I have learnt from a
> > previous post that full images can be copied back without a problem).
> >
> > Thanks in advance -
> >
> > Pat
>
> The file system format has no bearing on this. So, yes, you can copy.


--
pat_mc
 
Last edited by a moderator:
NTFS has fully developed security features. FAT32 has none.
When you copy folders from NTFS to FAT32 partitions
then you lose all security information, and you won't get
it back when you copy the files back to an NTFS partition.

As you may remember from your previous post, NTFS
can store many more and far larger files than FAT32.

In other words, if NTFS is the sports car then FAT32 is the
bicycle.


"pat_mc" . wrote in message
news:pat_mc.35o28f@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
>
> Thanks, Lanwench -
>
> Sounds good ... and I trust you on this one.
>
> Somehow, though, I seem to be missing the issue with the different HDD
> formats then. If copying files to and fro is not a problem, what's the
> fuss about the format differences then. Or let me rephrase: in what
> cases would the format differences have a bearing on file transfers
> between the external and the internal HDDs?
>
> Thanks again -
>
> Pat
>
>
> 'Lanwench [MVP - Exchange Wrote:
>> 932587']pat_mc . wrote:
>> > Hi -
>> >
>> > From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I have
>> > copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable Linux
>> > version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available via
>> the
>> > KDE GUI.
>> >
>> > My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal HDD
>> again
>> > once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.
>> >
>> > Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the NTFS
>> > and FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied are
>> > NOT part of a partition or drive image but just normal file copies (I
>> > believe this will make a difference since I have learnt from a
>> > previous post that full images can be copied back without a problem).
>> >
>> > Thanks in advance -
>> >
>> > Pat
>>
>> The file system format has no bearing on this. So, yes, you can copy.
>
>
> --
> pat_mc
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: Can files copied from NTFS to FAT32 under Linux be copied backto XP?

On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:14:57 +0100
"Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I.can@fly.com.oz> wrote:

> In other words, if NTFS is the sports car then FAT32 is the
> bicycle.

Tricycle..

--
Live & let live, or leave.
:-)
 
Re: Can files copied from NTFS to FAT32 under Linux be copied back toXP?

On Mar 2, 4:05 pm, Holz <h...@my-laptop.nowhere> wrote:
> On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:14:57 +0100
>
> "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:
> > In other words, if NTFS is the sports car then FAT32 is the
> > bicycle.
>
> Tricycle..
>
> --
> Live & let live, or leave.
> :-)

No, that would be FAT16
 
pat_mc wrote:
> Thanks, Lanwench -
>
> Sounds good ... and I trust you on this one.
>
> Somehow, though, I seem to be missing the issue with the different HDD
> formats then. If copying files to and fro is not a problem, what's the
> fuss about the format differences then. Or let me rephrase: in what
> cases would the format differences have a bearing on file transfers
> between the external and the internal HDDs?
>
> Thanks again -
>

One machine has no knowledge of the file formats found on another machine.
Moreover, it doesn't care. The disk formats don't move, only the data.

Same as with the internet. Data move over the wires, not the page layout or
operating system.

When you open a letter, you have no real way of telling whether the letter
was typed on a manual or electric typewriter, or a dot-matrix, laser, or
ink-jet printer. Nor is the answer to that question of any importance at
all.
 
From: "HeyBub" <heybub@gmail.com>


|
| When you open a letter, you have no real way of telling whether the letter
| was typed on a manual or electric typewriter, or a dot-matrix, laser, or
| ink-jet printer. Nor is the answer to that question of any importance at
| all.
|

Actually you can tell the difference. Each leave distinguishing traces. For example the
type of impact on the paper leaving a dimple, the paper absorbing the ink, the layer of
carbon in laser printing to, the dispersion around the character and the constancy of the
characters printed.


--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
 
Thanks for your helpful post, Pegasus.

Can you please let me know what kind of security features are being
lost in the transfer from NTFS to FAT32? Are we talking about access
rights or a comletely different level of security?

Cheers -

Pat


Pegasus \(MVP\)932660 Wrote:
> NTFS has fully developed security features. FAT32 has none.
> When you copy folders from NTFS to FAT32 partitions
> then you lose all security information, and you won't get
> it back when you copy the files back to an NTFS partition.
>
> As you may remember from your previous post, NTFS
> can store many more and far larger files than FAT32.
>
> In other words, if NTFS is the sports car then FAT32 is the
> bicycle.
>
>
> "pat_mc" . wrote in message
> news:pat_mc.35o28f@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
> >
> > Thanks, Lanwench -
> >
> > Sounds good ... and I trust you on this one.
> >
> > Somehow, though, I seem to be missing the issue with the different
> HDD
> > formats then. If copying files to and fro is not a problem, what's
> the
> > fuss about the format differences then. Or let me rephrase: in what
> > cases would the format differences have a bearing on file transfers
> > between the external and the internal HDDs?
> >
> > Thanks again -
> >
> > Pat
> >
> >
> > 'Lanwench [MVP - Exchange Wrote:
> >> 932587']pat_mc . wrote:
> >> > Hi -
> >> >
> >> > From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I
> have
> >> > copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable
> Linux
> >> > version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available via
> >> the
> >> > KDE GUI.
> >> >
> >> > My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal HDD
> >> again
> >> > once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.
> >> >
> >> > Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the
> NTFS
> >> > and FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied
> are
> >> > NOT part of a partition or drive image but just normal file copies
> (I
> >> > believe this will make a difference since I have learnt from a
> >> > previous post that full images can be copied back without a
> problem).
> >> >
> >> > Thanks in advance -
> >> >
> >> > Pat
> >>
> >> The file system format has no bearing on this. So, yes, you can
> copy.
> >
> >
> > --
> > pat_mc


--
pat_mc
 
Last edited by a moderator:
We're talking about access rights. None of the various FAT-flavours
has facilities for user-based access restrictions.

However, you need to be aware that NTFS access rights are
only effective while Windows is up and running. If someone
gets hold of your laptop or of your hard disk then that person
can access your files with the right tools, regardless of any
NTFS restrictions.


"pat_mc" . wrote in message
news:pat_mc.35ouh5@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
>
> Thanks for your helpful post, Pegasus.
>
> Can you please let me know what kind of security features are being
> lost in the transfer from NTFS to FAT32? Are we talking about access
> rights or a comletely different level of security?
>
> Cheers -
>
> Pat
>
>
> Pegasus \(MVP\)932660 Wrote:
>> NTFS has fully developed security features. FAT32 has none.
>> When you copy folders from NTFS to FAT32 partitions
>> then you lose all security information, and you won't get
>> it back when you copy the files back to an NTFS partition.
>>
>> As you may remember from your previous post, NTFS
>> can store many more and far larger files than FAT32.
>>
>> In other words, if NTFS is the sports car then FAT32 is the
>> bicycle.
>>
>>
>> "pat_mc" . wrote in message
>> news:pat_mc.35o28f@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
>> >
>> > Thanks, Lanwench -
>> >
>> > Sounds good ... and I trust you on this one.
>> >
>> > Somehow, though, I seem to be missing the issue with the different
>> HDD
>> > formats then. If copying files to and fro is not a problem, what's
>> the
>> > fuss about the format differences then. Or let me rephrase: in what
>> > cases would the format differences have a bearing on file transfers
>> > between the external and the internal HDDs?
>> >
>> > Thanks again -
>> >
>> > Pat
>> >
>> >
>> > 'Lanwench [MVP - Exchange Wrote:
>> >> 932587']pat_mc . wrote:
>> >> > Hi -
>> >> >
>> >> > From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I
>> have
>> >> > copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable
>> Linux
>> >> > version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available via
>> >> the
>> >> > KDE GUI.
>> >> >
>> >> > My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal HDD
>> >> again
>> >> > once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.
>> >> >
>> >> > Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the
>> NTFS
>> >> > and FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied
>> are
>> >> > NOT part of a partition or drive image but just normal file copies
>> (I
>> >> > believe this will make a difference since I have learnt from a
>> >> > previous post that full images can be copied back without a
>> problem).
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks in advance -
>> >> >
>> >> > Pat
>> >>
>> >> The file system format has no bearing on this. So, yes, you can
>> copy.
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > pat_mc
>
>
> --
> pat_mc
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I see.

Will this be of importance to me if in my Windows environment I have
not set any access restrictions myself? In particular, does Windows
impose access limitations on files and directories? I have my laptop
password-protected (for all it's worth, I know) ... so does this
restrict access on certain system files?

I am just wondering if the whole security discussion applies to what I
am doing at all ...

Thanks again, Pegasus!

Cheers -

Pat

Pegasus \(MVP\)933118 Wrote:
> We're talking about access rights. None of the various FAT-flavours
> has facilities for user-based access restrictions.
>
> However, you need to be aware that NTFS access rights are
> only effective while Windows is up and running. If someone
> gets hold of your laptop or of your hard disk then that person
> can access your files with the right tools, regardless of any
> NTFS restrictions.
>
>
> "pat_mc" . wrote in message
> news:pat_mc.35ouh5@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
> >
> > Thanks for your helpful post, Pegasus.
> >
> > Can you please let me know what kind of security features are being
> > lost in the transfer from NTFS to FAT32? Are we talking about access
> > rights or a comletely different level of security?
> >
> > Cheers -
> >
> > Pat
> >
> >
> > Pegasus \(MVP\)932660 Wrote:
> >> NTFS has fully developed security features. FAT32 has none.
> >> When you copy folders from NTFS to FAT32 partitions
> >> then you lose all security information, and you won't get
> >> it back when you copy the files back to an NTFS partition.
> >>
> >> As you may remember from your previous post, NTFS
> >> can store many more and far larger files than FAT32.
> >>
> >> In other words, if NTFS is the sports car then FAT32 is the
> >> bicycle.
> >>
> >>
> >> "pat_mc" . wrote in message
> >> news:pat_mc.35o28f@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
> >> >
> >> > Thanks, Lanwench -
> >> >
> >> > Sounds good ... and I trust you on this one.
> >> >
> >> > Somehow, though, I seem to be missing the issue with the different
> >> HDD
> >> > formats then. If copying files to and fro is not a problem, what's
> >> the
> >> > fuss about the format differences then. Or let me rephrase: in
> what
> >> > cases would the format differences have a bearing on file
> transfers
> >> > between the external and the internal HDDs?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks again -
> >> >
> >> > Pat
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > 'Lanwench [MVP - Exchange Wrote:
> >> >> 932587']pat_mc . wrote:
> >> >> > Hi -
> >> >> >
> >> >> > From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I
> >> have
> >> >> > copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable
> >> Linux
> >> >> > version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available
> via
> >> >> the
> >> >> > KDE GUI.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal
> HDD
> >> >> again
> >> >> > once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the
> >> NTFS
> >> >> > and FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied
> >> are
> >> >> > NOT part of a partition or drive image but just normal file
> copies
> >> (I
> >> >> > believe this will make a difference since I have learnt from a
> >> >> > previous post that full images can be copied back without a
> >> problem).
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Thanks in advance -
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Pat
> >> >>
> >> >> The file system format has no bearing on this. So, yes, you can
> >> copy.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > pat_mc
> >
> >
> > --
> > pat_mc


--
pat_mc
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It depends. If you log on as "Administrator" then you have
full access rights to almost all folders, regardless of any
restrictions, same as you would if your partitions used FAT32.

If you log on as an ordinary user then you may not be
able to access certain folders. It all depends how your
permissions are set.


"pat_mc" . wrote in message
news:pat_mc.35oxpo@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
>
> I see.
>
> Will this be of importance to me if in my Windows environment I have
> not set any access restrictions myself? In particular, does Windows
> impose access limitations on files and directories? I have my laptop
> password-protected (for all it's worth, I know) ... so does this
> restrict access on certain system files?
>
> I am just wondering if the whole security discussion applies to what I
> am doing at all ...
>
> Thanks again, Pegasus!
>
> Cheers -
>
> Pat
>
> Pegasus \(MVP\)933118 Wrote:
>> We're talking about access rights. None of the various FAT-flavours
>> has facilities for user-based access restrictions.
>>
>> However, you need to be aware that NTFS access rights are
>> only effective while Windows is up and running. If someone
>> gets hold of your laptop or of your hard disk then that person
>> can access your files with the right tools, regardless of any
>> NTFS restrictions.
>>
>>
>> "pat_mc" . wrote in message
>> news:pat_mc.35ouh5@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
>> >
>> > Thanks for your helpful post, Pegasus.
>> >
>> > Can you please let me know what kind of security features are being
>> > lost in the transfer from NTFS to FAT32? Are we talking about access
>> > rights or a comletely different level of security?
>> >
>> > Cheers -
>> >
>> > Pat
>> >
>> >
>> > Pegasus \(MVP\)932660 Wrote:
>> >> NTFS has fully developed security features. FAT32 has none.
>> >> When you copy folders from NTFS to FAT32 partitions
>> >> then you lose all security information, and you won't get
>> >> it back when you copy the files back to an NTFS partition.
>> >>
>> >> As you may remember from your previous post, NTFS
>> >> can store many more and far larger files than FAT32.
>> >>
>> >> In other words, if NTFS is the sports car then FAT32 is the
>> >> bicycle.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "pat_mc" . wrote in message
>> >> news:pat_mc.35o28f@no-mx.tabletquestions.com...
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks, Lanwench -
>> >> >
>> >> > Sounds good ... and I trust you on this one.
>> >> >
>> >> > Somehow, though, I seem to be missing the issue with the different
>> >> HDD
>> >> > formats then. If copying files to and fro is not a problem, what's
>> >> the
>> >> > fuss about the format differences then. Or let me rephrase: in
>> what
>> >> > cases would the format differences have a bearing on file
>> transfers
>> >> > between the external and the internal HDDs?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks again -
>> >> >
>> >> > Pat
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > 'Lanwench [MVP - Exchange Wrote:
>> >> >> 932587']pat_mc . wrote:
>> >> >> > Hi -
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > From my wife's XP laptop (whose XP does not start up anymore) I
>> >> have
>> >> >> > copied all files to an external FAT32 HDD using the CD-bootable
>> >> Linux
>> >> >> > version Knoppix 5.2 and the normal 'Copy to' command available
>> via
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> > KDE GUI.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > My plan is to copy the non-system files back to the internal
>> HDD
>> >> >> again
>> >> >> > once I have re-installed XP using the Linux CD.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Can this be done safely or will I run into problems due to the
>> >> NTFS
>> >> >> > and FAT32 format differences? Please note that the files copied
>> >> are
>> >> >> > NOT part of a partition or drive image but just normal file
>> copies
>> >> (I
>> >> >> > believe this will make a difference since I have learnt from a
>> >> >> > previous post that full images can be copied back without a
>> >> problem).
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Thanks in advance -
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Pat
>> >> >>
>> >> >> The file system format has no bearing on this. So, yes, you can
>> >> copy.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > --
>> >> > pat_mc
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > pat_mc
>
>
> --
> pat_mc
 
Last edited by a moderator:
On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 07:00:03 -0700, "Colin Barnhorst"
<c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote:

> That would be more like "flopping."


LOL!

> "David H. Lipman" <DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote in message
> news:u9X9UzNfIHA.5996@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> > From: "dynamo52" <dynamo52@gmail.com>
> >
> >
> > |
> > | No, that would be FAT16
> >
> > And walking is FAT12 ? :-)
> >
> > --
> > Dave
> > http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
> > Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
> >
> >

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
 
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