FAT32 is newer version of the original FAT (FAT16, technically) filesystem format. It's basic advantages over FAT16 are more efficient use of disk space and support for larger drives, partitions, directories, and files.

FAT16 is basically dead; use FAT32 for the shared partition.

As for repartitioning, there's this one DOS app called Partition Resizer. It resizes partitions without erasing data, hence the name I don't have the URL right off hand, do a google search...

I would suggest getting a Knoppix live cd you can download it from www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html also use an md5 checksum to verify the down load was not corrupted. you can find this program free at www.md5summer.org this is an important step in downloading iso programs . next burn a cd as an exact data iso copy. and do another run with the md5 checksummer. you can also find both of these on winddancers dominion The live knoppix cd will be somewhat like running debian with out actually installing it . This will give you a small sample of linux . If you like it you can install it easily, the hard part is over. :cheesy: You only need to run the knoppix live cd and then click on the console icon at the bottom of the screen and then type "sudo knoppix-installer " then press enter the auto installer will walk you through it all , you will need 1 floppy disk for a lilo start disk . and when asked where to install lilo, check the mbr file. once it is installed remove cd as prompted and go online , you can update and install new and updated versions of debian using the KPackage Manager found in the system section .This is the easiest install i have found with the most options to download. you will have a multitude of multimedia , graphics, games, servers, office, education , development, science , 3d , cad it goes on and on . also Konquerer , monzilla and firefox browsers . have fun exploring.