Re: Encrypted files on NTFS partition secure if XP OS Partition is fat32?

From: Roger Abell [MVP] (mvpNOSPAM@asu.edu)
Date: 02/05/03 

From: "Roger Abell [MVP]" <mvpNOSPAM@asu.edu>
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 00:13:58 -0700

The XP defragmenter is not all that effective.
You can control the block size used by and NTFS partition,
but I do not know how to do this for a conversion, only
for a fresh NTFS format. Anyway, it is always dicey trying
to guess what blocksize will be best for a general usage
partition. Ntfs does have greater overheads, but then it is
a much more feature-filled filesystem than FAT. 

-- 
Roger 
"Wayne Phillipw" <chaotos@nospam.net> wrote in message news:xYR_9.314$r84.35221@news.uswest.net...
> The chapter in "Windows XP Inside Out" suggests using the command "fsutil
> file createnew c:\testfile.txt (filesize)" to create a contiguous space for
> the MFR table to prevent fragmentation and system slowdown. I tried doing
> this but even after defragmentation I could not create large enough of a
> file in a single space for the MFR table, perhaps because free space on my
> OS partiton is limited.
> 
> I do have Partition Magic but it appears to use the XP conversion utility.
> Their documentation does not mention what they do with the MFR.
> 
> Microsoft's documentation warns that some programs may slow down after
> conversion "if not written for XP". They say this is avoided if the
> partition is formatted for NTFS before XP installation rather than
> conversion. They do not say whether this is due to MFT fragmentation or due
> to small cluster size after conversion. I think the later problem can be
> avoided with Partition Magic?
> 
> Google searches bring up a number of threads about system slowdowns after
> conversion to NTFS.
> 
> So, I thought maybe I should leave well enough alone until I get a new
> computer. I am not an expert and am at the limit of my knowledge here.
> 
> Is MFT fragmentation really a big problem?
> 
> Thanks again,
> 
> Wayne
> 
> "Roger Abell [MVP]" <mvpNOSPAM@asu.edu> wrote in message
> news:##4iESfyCHA.2680@TK2MSFTNGP09...
> 
> BTW, I have never heard of anyone that has had a problem
> when converting from FAT to NTFS, although one is always
> warned to have a backup ready in case a recovery is needed
> (in your case, one with System State).
> 
> What have you read that makes you nervous ?
> 
> --
> Roger
> 
> "Wayne Phillips" <chaotos@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:TcJ_9.98$63.111631@news.uswest.net...
> > I have upgraded from W2K to XP on my laptop. The Boot Partion is fat32. I
> > have a second NTFS partition. How secure are encrypted files on the NTFS
> > partition should the laptop be stolen?
> >
> > I am nervous about converting the OS partiton to NTFS without reformating
> > first and reinstalling XP, from what have read.
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> >
> 
>

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