File transfer with different operating systems

[Montana]

Sorry about the long title.

I have 2 PC's and a netbook, and I want to be able to transfer files between them, but I seem to have run into a problem (well it is for me anyway).

My main PC downstairs, isn't wireless, but has a wired connection to a wireless cable router.It is running Vista (NTFS).

The netbook and other PC are wireless , but are both running XP (FAT32).

I have a external hard drive, that was originally set up on FAT32 and when I tried to transfer a large file to it, it wouldn't allow it, so I re-formatted the drive to NTFS, then transfered the files no problem.I then connected the external drive to the netbook , guess what, no files seem to be there !

I have been told that the two systems aren't compatible , so what can I do ?


Andy

[Alphathon]

Well I don't know who told you that, but they're wrong. NTFS was originally created for Windows NT, and was also included with every Windows OS since Win 2000. There must be something else wrong. I assume the files still show up when you connect them to the Vista machine again. When you connect it to the other comps do does the drive show up but appear empty or just not appear at all?

[BoilingPoint]

Reformat the External drive as Fat32 then run a compression program on your large file. Fat32 can handle files up to 4gb at a time, you can have as many of these files as you like (space permitting), but when you compress, using winzip etc, make sure the files are split and no larger than 4Gb..

Hope that helps.

[Alphathon]

I wouldn't do that right away. The fact that the XP machine isn't reading it could show something more wrong with the computer or drive, and shouldn't be required

[BoilingPoint]

Maybe the XP system is using FAT32 and will only then read FAT32 USB Drives.