NTFS allocation size help...

[Mike C]

I have 2 hard drives - both are using NTFS, HOWEVER, the
HD with my operating system (drive C) is using NTFS with
an allocation unit size of 512 bytes and my other HD
(Drive D) is using NTFS with an allocation unit size of
4096 bytes.

What is the difference in allocation unit sizes (besides
the obvious size) in relation to performance and/or
stability? Should I increase the size of drive C to
4096? And if I do, will I lose everything on that HD?

So many questions... so little time...

[Nicholas]

For best disk performance, a 4kb NTSF cluster size is ideal. A 512-byte =
cluster size
usually results from a conversion from FAT32 and is considered less than =
ideal.
In order to change the cluster size, you'll have to start from scratch =
by reformatting
your drive (using NTFS as your file system) and reinstalling Windows XP.

NTFS Preinstallation and Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/tech/storage/ntfs-preinstall.asp

Benchmarking on Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platform/performance/benchmark.asp=20


CONVERTING FAT32 to NTFS
in Windows XP
(by Alex Nichol, MS-MVP)
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm


The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

1. Open your BIOS and set your CD Drive as the first bootable device.
2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your =
computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the =
existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the =
primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Windows XP Clean Install:=20
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

6. Accessing Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm


--=20
Nicholas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------=


"Mike C" > wrote in message:
...

| I have 2 hard drives - both are using NTFS, HOWEVER, the=20
| HD with my operating system (drive C) is using NTFS with=20
| an allocation unit size of 512 bytes and my other HD=20
| (Drive D) is using NTFS with an allocation unit size of=20
| 4096 bytes.
|=20
| What is the difference in allocation unit sizes (besides=20
| the obvious size) in relation to performance and/or=20
| stability? Should I increase the size of drive C to=20
| 4096? And if I do, will I lose everything on that HD?
|=20
| So many questions... so little time...

[mrtee]

There is another way.

If you have XP pro with ntbackup installed you can create an ASR backup =
set then use it. When ASR is run, it reformats the system drive =BB =
reinstalls windows =BB restores settings and data - clusters are now 4 =
KB instead of =BD KB.


--=20
Just my 2=A2 worth
Jeff
_____in response to_____
"Nicholas" > wrote in message =
...
For best disk performance, a 4kb NTSF cluster size is ideal. A 512-byte =
cluster size
usually results from a conversion from FAT32 and is considered less than =
ideal.
In order to change the cluster size, you'll have to start from scratch =
by reformatting
your drive (using NTFS as your file system) and reinstalling Windows XP.

NTFS Preinstallation and Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/tech/storage/ntfs-preinstall.asp

Benchmarking on Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platform/performance/benchmark.asp=20


CONVERTING FAT32 to NTFS
in Windows XP
(by Alex Nichol, MS-MVP)
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm


The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

1. Open your BIOS and set your CD Drive as the first bootable device.
2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your =
computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the =
existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the =
primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Windows XP Clean Install:=20
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

6. Accessing Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm


--=20
Nicholas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------=


"Mike C" > wrote in message:
...

| I have 2 hard drives - both are using NTFS, HOWEVER, the=20
| HD with my operating system (drive C) is using NTFS with=20
| an allocation unit size of 512 bytes and my other HD=20
| (Drive D) is using NTFS with an allocation unit size of=20
| 4096 bytes.
|=20
| What is the difference in allocation unit sizes (besides=20
| the obvious size) in relation to performance and/or=20
| stability? Should I increase the size of drive C to=20
| 4096? And if I do, will I lose everything on that HD?
|=20
| So many questions... so little time...


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[Alex Nichol]

Mike C wrote:

>I have 2 hard drives - both are using NTFS, HOWEVER, the
>HD with my operating system (drive C) is using NTFS with
>an allocation unit size of 512 bytes and my other HD
>(Drive D) is using NTFS with an allocation unit size of
>4096 bytes.

See response in the 'general' group


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows - File Systems)
Bournemouth, U.K.