A few questions about XP Pro Upgrade Edition

[dr_roberts49]

I just got my upgrade version of XP Pro from New egg today. It's the Academic version, and allows for a new install if you don't want to just do a quick upgrade.

It was my original choice, to do a new install, but after reading some of the documentation, I have a couple of questions.

Regarding the choice of a file system:

I'm currently running Windows 98SE, which is a FAT32 file system. XP supports the more advanced and stable NTFS file system.

Now I know I can run both operating systems, but I'm tired of Windows 98, and want to move on. I also recently rebuilt my system from a P3 running at 800Mhz, to a P4 running at 2.4Ghz with a 800Mhz FSB. I want my hardware to have the advantages of XP.

Here's my simple concern. I have backed up all my important files on CDs. I also have 2 physical hard drives on my system. My OS and all my programs are on drive C, my primary drive. All my data is on drive D. If I choose to do a new install, will I have any problems copying any of my old files from the CDs, to my computer? Can I just leave my D drive as it now is, after I do a clean install of XP on my C drive? Will I be able to access these files if I move over to the NTFS file system?.

Also, we have a Linksys home network. All the other computers in my home will be running Windows 98SE and Windows ME. I assume, we can still file share, despite my computer being on NTFS. Should the same hold true for the FAT32 created files on my D drive and my backup CDs?

I plan to do the deed this evening, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Robert

[cstierhoff]

Using XP in the NTSF format is a good choice.
All FAT32 files such as your D: drive or your CD's can be read or written to from XP without a problem.

cstierhoff

[DallasDon]

You can leave the Fat 32 files as they are, or you can convert the whole drive to NTFS but once you do, you cannot convert them back.

[dr_roberts49]

Thanks for input gentlemen. I really want to use the NTFS file system. I have another concern about "Service Pack Pack 1. I heard the horror stories about how it slowed down systems, and was nearly impossible to remove once it was installed. Has Microsoft taken care of this? Was it a wide spread problem, or only on certain systems?

Thanks again,

Robert