We were installing NT 4.0 and were wondering why the limit to hard drive to 4gig size??? Thanks.....

This is one of the things I have tryed to get Bill to give me a reason for. The problem is, however, that he don't pick up the phone.... ;-) Do what Bill tell you to do, and then get the very good 3part software "PQmagic" it works like magic;-) Remember, that if you need to make a IMAGE of your Hard Disk, the max size of you partision may only bee 7GB. take care..

Here is the reason for the 4GB limit: The Windows NT 4.0 installer can (stupidly enough) only install Windows NT onto a FAT partition--even if you choose NTFS for the installation. If you choose NTFS, the Windows NT 4.0 installer installs NT onto a FAT partition and then *converts* the FAT partition to NTFS. If you choose FAT, the installer installs Windows NT 4.0 to a FAT partition and does not convert the file system. But the partition size limit for FAT is 2GB, right? So why is the NT installation partition limit 4GB and not 2GB? Normally, there's a 2GB partition size limit with FAT16, but a workaround allows this to be extended all the way to 4GB, hence the 4GB limit. I cannot imagine ever having NT 4.0 on a partition larger than 4GB. This may work, but it's usually an indication that you're doing something questionable. Ideally, you would never store data on the same partition as your OS. In an ideal situation, there also wouldn't be a swap file on the same partition with your OS either. In some circumstances, it can also be very desirable to have your applications on a separate partition as well. There are many reasons. For a start, many smaller partitions usually offer better performance that a single large one. Also, this scheme makes it easier to perform backups, reduces fragmentation issues, and may allow you to put certain things, like the swap file, closer to the outer tracks on the hard drive, where disk speeds are usually MUCH faster (sometimes double the speed!). It also makes your system more resilient when it comes to file system errors and other catastrophes. For example, should something wipe out your OS partition, you won't lose your data. There's even more reasons if you multiple drives--especially if you use SCSI.

George Arreola, all answers above are not complete correct! Let me tell u truth: All NT 4.0 installation CD come from amost 10 years ago, which only SP3 packaged with it. This is reason for limit of 4GB for NTFS and 2 GB for FAT. Don't worry abt them. GO ahead to install NT then install SP6a. After that, you can create huge size partition/drive you love from Disk Manager. I tried less than 15 GB for each drive, no any problem!

DJ, I have no idea where you get your information or what you're talking about. My answer is not only complete, it is precisely correct. FAT is the limiting factor and the reason for the 4GB limit. FAT has an internal limit of 4 GB because it uses 32-bit fields to store file sizes. Windows NT Setup *must* install itself to a FAT partition. If specified, setup will then convert this FAT partition to NTFS after installation. For additional information, see: Microsoft Knowledge Base Article Q119497: Boot Partition Created During Setup Limited to 4 Gigabytes http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q119497 Microsoft Knowledge Base Article Q138364: Windows NT Partitioning Rules During Setup http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q138364 Microsoft Knowledge Base Article Q114841: Windows NT Boot Process and Hard Disk Constraints http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q114841 Silicon Graphics Official Support Site: Disk FAQ, Why am I restricted to 4GB on my NTFS partition during setup? http://support.sgi.com/nt/content/nttntfaq/html/250300/250322.html Focus on Windows: NTFS or FAT? http://windows2000.about.com/library/weekly/aa060699.htm John Savill's Windows NT/2000 FAQ: I can't create a NTFS partition over 4GB during installation http://www.windows2000faq.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=13876 A post on Win2K Forum http://www.freelists.org/archives/win2kforum/05-2001/msg00079.html You might also want to read any number of books on the subject or any relevant CompTIA or Microsoft certification test preparation material. I don't pull this out of my ass. If I didn't know what I was talking about, I wouldn't post. You might do well to follow my example.

I have just purchased a new 1GB system and want to install Windows NT. What is the best way to partition to my hard drive?