can i just put in a second hd which is formatted in fat32 file system into a computer with xp or will it need to be formatted into ntfs for i to work?

ps. the fat32 was a second hd from an older comp so it does not have an os!

should work fine as it is although if there's nothing on it might as well reformat in case any errors on drive.

Well that depends on what file system your Xp is on! If you have to format you second HD to what ever your Xp is......if you want to see that HD in OS!

You can formated easy through Xp's computer management option..........

xp is on ntfs, i have files on my fat32 (one i want to install) that i would rather not loose!

XP supports both NTFS and FAT32 in any combination. However once you have it hooked up, you can convert it to NTFS if you want, without loosing any of those files.

Ok..You would be able to see your files through you XP Ntfs from you FatHD but not sure if you can convert them.....Try connecting the HD to your sys and see if you can copy the files over to you Ntfs HD, If you can do this then you could copy all and after format your second HD the Ntfs and put the files back ........

Good luck!

As Celtic said above, this can easily be done from a command prompt. Here's a link on how this can be easily done:- http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q307881

thanx u guys for the help, its all done now!
jus sorted the jumper settings and whacked it in, it seems to be working fine and i have my other drive for files over 4gig so i probably wont bother converting it!

thanx again!