2007-12-18 05:42:01 · 10 answers · asked by Michael D 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Programming & Design
This question doesnt make any sense.
FAT32 is not a file format. Its a file system used on Win98/ME and some versions of 95. You can use it on XP but its limiting.
So what exactly are you trying to do?
2007-12-18 05:46:21 · answer #1 · answered by coolair74 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FAT32 is not a file.. its the record that keeps track of the files information thats is been stored in the HDD.
FAT stands for "file allocation table" 32 refers to 32 bit addressing.
When ever an application needs to look for a file an read it physically from the HDD.. it just looks for FAT , FAT contain a pointer to the physical location of the file(but all these works r taken car by OS itself) , so as to minimizes the search time.
Usually FAT enteries 'll be next to the boot sector of a Hard drive..There 'll be two copies of FAT so as one can stand as backup..Those r highly secured sectors and OS wont let u to work around it...But still u can..
Try this link for more info abt FAT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table
2007-12-18 14:22:48 · answer #2 · answered by aravind_mib 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FAT stands for file access table - its a reference to a specific type of format for your hard-drive. When a harddrive is formatted by an operating system's installation, the choices are usually FAT32 or NTFS.
FAT32 is standard (not for much longer.. but still). Most Windows Operating Systems use NTFS which is NT file system - started when (you guessed it) Windows NT hit the shelves in the early-mid 90's.
If your harddrive was formatted by the company that installed your operating system to be FAT32, then accessing files off of your harddrive at ANY point in time is the same as your question.
All of your files are stored on a FAT32 formatted harddrive.
2007-12-18 13:47:18 · answer #3 · answered by Rob 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most folks will format their harddrive under the Windows Operating System as FAT32, i.e. File Allocation Table at 32 bits. Whenever you saved a document, file, program, etc. they are loaded into your harddrive. When you are looking that particular document in the Directory, you are accessing the FAT32. It is like a index within the harddrive to loacte where is your document resided within the harddrive.
2007-12-18 13:48:50 · answer #4 · answered by G-whiz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FAT32 is a file storage protocol - Think it is short for File Allocation Table 32 bit.
Another method of file storage is NTFS (Depends on what operating system you are running)
This from wikipedia
File Allocation Table (FAT) is a file system developed by Microsoft for MS-DOS and was the primary file system for consumer versions of Microsoft Windows up to and including Windows Me. FAT as it applies to flexible/floppy and optical disk cartridges (FAT12 and FAT16 without long file name support) has been standardized as ECMA-107 and ISO/IEC 9293. The file system is partially patented.
The FAT file system is relatively uncomplicated, and is supported by virtually all existing operating systems for personal computers. This ubiquity makes it an ideal format for floppy disks and solid-state memory cards, and a convenient way of sharing data between disparate operating systems installed on the same computer (a dual boot environment).
The most common implementations have a serious drawback in that when files are deleted and new files written to the media, directory fragments tend to become scattered over the entire media, making reading and writing a slow process. Defragmentation is one solution to this, but is often a lengthy process in itself and has to be performed regularly to keep the FAT file system clean.
2007-12-18 13:49:35 · answer #5 · answered by JODS2001 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
FAT32 is a file system and not a file. The file is contained in the file system and can be opened just like any other file.
2007-12-18 13:45:15 · answer #6 · answered by David B 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
FAT32 is not a file, per se, it is a file system. The other two common ones for Windows are FAT and NTFS.
2007-12-18 13:48:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's the size of the blocks your hard drive is divided up into, it isn't a file extension.
As above, I'm not sure what your asking, but microsoft have a page on the subject.
2007-12-18 13:52:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
FAT32 is a file system format. Here is some info. on the different types of file systems:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/russel_october01.mspx
2007-12-18 13:49:54 · answer #9 · answered by daa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not a file but a filing system. It is the way your hard drive is partitioned when it is formatted.
2007-12-18 13:46:48 · answer #10 · answered by |||ALL TRUE||| 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋