CF card & File system, help neede

[raboyme]

Hello!

Can someone please explain to me, the differences between different file systems on a CF card?

I've downloaded and installed the storage tools program to my Ipaq 3630, from PocketGPS dowload area. When I start the program, I can see, that the size of my storage card is:

Total 244 MB (I'm using a 256MB Kingston CF card)
Free 8.6 MB (4%)


Then it says "File system":

Type: FAT16
sector size: 512 Bytes
Cluster size: 4 KB
Backup Fat: Yes

Now I would like to know, what those numbers and information means and are they correct?

What is the difference between FAT16 and FAT32? Is FAT16 correct for me?

What does the cluster size mean, and "Backup FAT"?.

When I started to use my CF card, I just set it in the CF folder and downloaded the maps on it. I did not format the card etc.

Many questions, hope to get answears.

Roy

[Ginger]

My original 128mb CF card was formatted the same as yours ie. Fat 16. i've recently purchased a 256mb card and also dowloaded Storage Tools. I formatted my new card as Fat 32 as I understand it to be a more modern and robust filing system. When using my PDA now the little wedge thing on the screen spins at twice the speed it used to and the PDA is much quicker.
FAT = File allocation table. The other numbers signify the size of the storage segments available to the filing system.
Presumably backing up the FAT would allow the system to be returned to a usable condition if the original FAT became corrupt; but how this would be done i've no idea.
_________________
Alan

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