NTFS v FAT32, and DOS

  • Thread starter Thread starter Len Dolby
  • Start date Start date
L

Len Dolby

I've searched, but not found any data on whether DOS (3.1) applications
continue to work on NTFS file system. My understanding is that once a drive
is formatted to NTFS, there's no going back. I don't want to lose DOS
application functionality.

Questions
1/ Will DOS progs still work on NTFS drives ?
2/ If I retained FAT32 on partition D, would DOS (or other progs) still run
(and would associated data files need to be saved as FAT32 on D: rather than
NTFS C: drive ?)

I have an ancient (1985) DOS "money manager" application in daily use. Does
everything I need ( in less than 400 kbs, including years of "history"
files). It runs perfectly in XP (FAT32), from HDD or 1.44 floppy.
I spent over half a day setting up MS Money, to find it will not present the
data I want at a glance, which I get now. Quicken, tried a while back -
similar - much pain, no gain, which is why I keep "old faithful" - it ain't
broke, does everything I want except print, which I can live with(out).
 
I've searched, but not found any data on whether DOS (3.1) applications
continue to work on NTFS file system. My understanding is that once a drive
is formatted to NTFS, there's no going back. I don't want to lose DOS
application functionality.

Questions
1/ Will DOS progs still work on NTFS drives ?
2/ If I retained FAT32 on partition D, would DOS (or other progs) still run
(and would associated data files need to be saved as FAT32 on D: rather than
NTFS C: drive ?)

I have an ancient (1985) DOS "money manager" application in daily use. Does
everything I need ( in less than 400 kbs, including years of "history"
files). It runs perfectly in XP (FAT32), from HDD or 1.44 floppy.
I spent over half a day setting up MS Money, to find it will not present the
data I want at a glance, which I get now. Quicken, tried a while back -
similar - much pain, no gain, which is why I keep "old faithful" - it ain't
broke, does everything I want except print, which I can live with(out).
Click to expand...

While there are some older DOS programs that do not work well on NTFS
drives, they are an exception. A bigger obstacle with these DOS programs is
whether or not they make direct calls to hardware. If they do, XP (and any
other NT operating system) will not allow it and the program will fail.

While not all old DOS programs are capable of running under the XP command
shell emulator, surprisingly quite a few work just fine.
 
Thanks for this, big help. Could you briefly expand the "direct call to
hardware" proviso (i.e. which hardware) for my better understanding , before
committing to an irrevocable change ?
Len.
 
In
Len Dolby said:
I've searched, but not found any data on whether DOS (3.1)
applications continue to work on NTFS file system. My understanding
is that once a drive is formatted to NTFS, there's no going
Click to expand...
back.


No, not true. Although Windows itself doesn't provide
functionality to go back, you *can* do so with a third-party
utility such as Partition Magic.

I don't want to lose DOS application functionality.

Questions
1/ Will DOS progs still work on NTFS drives ?
Click to expand...


In general, with the exception of disk utilities, application
programs, DOS or not, don't care what file system they run on.
Many (but not all) DOS programs will work under Windows XP. If
they work at all, they will almost certainly work on NTFS drives.

2/ If I retained FAT32 on partition D, would DOS (or other progs)
still run
Click to expand...


Yes. You can mix and match file systems as you wish.

(and would associated data files need to be saved as FAT32
on D: rather than NTFS C: drive ?)
Click to expand...


No.
 
At the very least, you can always install Virtual PC, and install DOS there.
You can then run ALL DOS programs within Virtual PC
 
Thanks Sharo, Tech5 and esp Ken Blake - I'm reassured, will convert to NTFS
!
Sincerely, LEN
 
Thanks for this, big help. Could you briefly expand the "direct call to
hardware" proviso (i.e. which hardware) for my better understanding , before
committing to an irrevocable change ?
Click to expand...

Hi, Len. An example would be a program requesting a printed page directly
from the printer instead of passing that request to the operating system
(which in turn calls on the printer).
 
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