Hacking What is FAT?!!!

[King Klux]

I own a supercard mini sd. When i plug my mini sd card ino my computer and click format, i find two options: FAT or FAT32. What does this mean? Which one should i set it to? Thanks

 

[bobrules]

I have no idea as well. I think it's some kind of drive format. Could any expert explain it?

 

[FAST6191]

File Allocation Table, it is a type of file system: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_file_systems

Basically it is a list of where the files on the cart start and finish, other common ones include NTFS and ext(2/3).

I suggest using FAT, technically it is inferior to FAT32 (FAT32 can use bigger clusters) but you will not really notice the difference.

You can format using the right click on drive format approach although if you want a little bit better performance (reduced slowdowns) then you can use the dos prompt
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documen...t.mspx?mfr=true

I formatted my cart the other day (in drive I: at the time) using 64K clusters as follows:
format i: /fs:FAT /vSCARD /a:64K /x

The /x might be unnecessary, what it does is stop the drive and stop any files being accessed at the time from being accessed.

Or you could use the GUI instead (the above way is quicker in my opinion)
Hit start -> run and type compmgmt.msc before hitting enter.
Left hand box, click on disk management, right click your card drive and hit format. Choose options as above.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309000

 

[archagon]

 

[moshii]

File Allocation Table, it is a type of file system:

That's giving it too much credit

.

 

[TLSpartan]

that guy has a small penis. btw what is better FAT or FAT32

 

[CYatta]

I think that picture's racist..But, it's too, weird to tell. And I think FAT32 is better for larger storage.

 

[Rayder]

Use FAT for cards 2gigs or less. Use FAT32 for cards larger than 2gigs.

 

[Mewgia]

What is FAT?!!!

Your mom.

 

[Qpido]

Very uncalled for O_O.

Q~

 

[beautifulbeast]

Back to the subject of the thread, I've heard a couple of times that FAT is better for our flash drives, but never a reason why. Would FAT32 make access times slower or flaky?
Anyone knows? FAST6191?

 

[FAST6191]

It is not as much slower but the hardware and software (firmware and loader) is not able to cope quite as well.

 

[Perseid]

Things like flash carts and digital cameras have very limited space for code. Support for FAT32 and NTFS cost ROM space, programming time and royalty fees. FAT16 is the lowest common denominator so everyone supports that.