w3v - few questions

hi all,

just got a w3v thanks to all those on the forum.

one thing i was suprised to see was that the hdd formated as fat32. i've read that using the ntfs converter is not ideal as the cluster size remains 512k which is theoretically slower than the more optimal 4Kb cluster size. in addition, the Master File Table (MFT) is fragmented which also can lead to slowdown.

sorry for the long intro, but here are my questions which i'm sure someone much smarter than me can answer

1. can i change the cluster size after using the ntfs converter?

2. should i reinstall xp pro instead in order to set up the hdd as one ntfs partition from the get go. if so, can i do it using the recovery disc.

3. if i can use the recovery cd which of the 3 options do i choice:
a. restore to first partition
b. restore to entire hdd
c. restore to entire hdd with 2 partitions.

i just want the 1 partition so i would think that (b) is the correct option. would this also delete the recovery partition.

4. if i cannot use the recovery cd to do a clean reinstall and need a retail/oem copy, can i still use my xp pro serial number i got with the w3v?

phew!! hope someone can help

 

Firstly make sure you backup everything (i doubt you would need to as its a new lappy) and get the latest drivers off the web and burn them to cd.

Then format the entire hard drive to ntfs (you can do this with the xp pro disk). Once windows is installed install the drivers that weren't automatically installed, so modem, bluetooth, sd card etc. You then will have a clean fast comp.

I format my computer every 6 months or so as it gradually fills up with crap.

 

thanks seba_veron,

i'm quite new at this so can you spell it out a bit more.

firstly, i recieved 2 disks with the w3v. i presume 1 is the xp pro but is this a full oem verison or just an image. doesthe second disk contain the drivers and utilities, in which case can i not just use this after i reformat.

you mentioned i should format entire drive to ntfs with the xp pro disc but how do i actually do that. i thought it would give the 3 options i had mentioned above in my post (question 3)

sorry for the noob questions.

 

anyone can help?

i've check the recovery cds and it is just an image. now if i reinstall using the cds and choose option (b) to restore to entire hdd, does this:

1. allow me to choose to format to ntfs
2. keep the recovery partition intact

thanks

 

Yeah, I'm a newbie also, well at least to this forum. Ordered my w3v yesterday, and getting it today- woohooo! It's a little too amazing but my tracking number says today. That [darn] fedex driver isn't here yet!

 

Oh yeah, hopefully mine is set up ntfs. Btw, this forum is huge! Lots of smart people, make me want to stay quiet. Don't want to be schooled by some 14 year old kid.

 

noki, u could always just try it out. if you do have a oem disk lying around you should be able to use the serial that came with the w3v. and yeah, u can just use the driver disk that came with the w3v, u'll end up updating them anyway.

 

No the restore CD will not allow you to install XP with NTFS.. it will only do FAT32. I learned this the wrong way as I tried to convert my FAT32 to NTFS and it wiped out my files, so I did an image restore from CD and guess what.. it was FAT32. No option to have NTFS (no clue why they did this)

After my restore I just used the convertor located on the desktop.

I see no difference in speed between the orignial FAT32 and now my NTFS.

The ASUS recovery makes it very easy.. installs OS, software, and drivers, but takes a loong time to do so.

 

Unfortunately it will not be NTFS, rather FAT32.

 

thanks NauTiCa, just the info i needed. it is a shame that you can't chose ntfs. i can understand the recovery partition needing fat32, but you should be able to choose ntfs. my 4 year toshiba came with ntfs. but doesn't detract from a great notebook though

btw NauTiCa, do you know if you restore it with option (b) to enable just 1 partition (drive c , does that delete the recovery partition.

thanks Loaf, when i next need to restore, i will try that and see. i was hoping the recovery cd would be enough given what seba_veron said but alsa, does not seem to be

thajman81, you will enjoy the notebook, fat32 or not.

 

It created only one partition.. no recovery partition.

I also wanted it this way, I don't like partitions on HD's

My partition magic corrupted my HD when I tried to convert to NTFS, I didn't want to use the ASUS provided one.. but after restoring and using the ASUS one, I wish I would have used it first.

 

thanks NauTiCa,

just to clarify. did you lose the recovery partition when partition magic corrupted the hard drive or did using the recovery discs to create 1 partition delete the recovery partition.

after some thinking, i also feel that the recovery partition would be useful.

btw you can't see the recovery partition on my computer, you need to go to services.msc.