What is FAT (File
Allocation Table):
The FAT is a roadmap, or index, that points
to the location where all the information in files is stored
on a floppy disk or hard drive. The FAT is extremely important
because the system uses it to store and retrieve files containing
information.
When you save a file in Windows, it is
stored in multiple pieces (in clusters made up of multiple sectors)
on the disk. Windows also saves the roadmap, or index, that points
to these clusters in two copies of the FAT (File Allocation Table).
The FAT contains the directions to all the pieces of your files,
so that applications can find them again later.
FAT An Introduction
:
The existing File Allocation Table (FAT)
file system was invented in 1977 as a way to store data on floppy
disks for Microsoft stand-alone Disk Basic. Although originally
intended for floppy disks, FAT has since been modified to be
a fast, and flexible system for managing data on both removable
and fixed media. In 1996 Windows 95 OSR2 came out with FAT32
a new and improved FAT.
A new generation of very large hard disks
are now shipping, and the existing FAT data structures have finally
reached the limit of their ability to support ever larger media.
FAT16 currently can support a single disk volume up to 2 Gigabytes
in size. FAT32 is an enhancement of the FAT file system that
supports larger hard drives with improved disk space efficiency.
FAT32 is an enhancement of the File Allocation
Table file system that supports large drives with improved disk
space efficiency. FAT32 is supported by the following operating
systems:
OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2) of Microsoft
Windows 95 (commonly known as Windows 95B or 95C). This OEM version
of windows was released late 1996, and is only available with
new PC's.
Windows 98 & 98SE (Second Edition),
FAT32 is included in the final release of the Windows 98 operating
system. It also includes a FAT32 converter so you can convert
an existing FAT drive to FAT32 without data loss.
Windows Me (Millennium Edition) also supports
FAT32, But does not ship with the FAT32 converter.
The existing File Allocation Table (FAT)
file system was invented in 1977 as a way to store data on floppy
disks for Microsoft stand-alone Disk Basic. Although originally
intended for floppy disks, FAT has since been modified to be
a fast, and flexible system for managing data on both removable
and fixed media. The current generation of large hard disks have
finally reached the limit of the existing FAT data structures.
FAT currently can support a single disk volume up to 2 Gigabytes
in size, with the increasing size of new hard drives this is
an increasing problem.
Does my computer come with FAT32?
This generally depends on the computer
and its manufacturer. Most manufacturers now set up FAT32 on
computers, but some may not. There are two ways to know whether
or not your computer is set up for FAT32:
1. Go into the Start menu, select Programs/Accessories/System
Tools, and then select Drive Converter (FAT 32). When you run
the program, it will display the status of your hard drives.
If any of them say ALREADY FAT32, then they are set up for FAT32.
If any say FAT or FAT16, then they need to be converted to FAT32.
(Only for windows 98 users)
2. Go into My Computer and right-click
on a hard drive icon. Select Properties. In the General section,
the drive will be listed either as FAT or FAT32.
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