How to check cluster size

  • Thread starter Thread starter CW
  • Start date Start date
C

CW

Running XP Pro - how can I check the cluster size of an
existing NTFS drive? I don't think it is the default 4kb -
I seem to recall that when I formatted it a couple of yrs
ago, I set a larger size. But now I can't remember!
Is it somewhere in Admin Tools/Disk Manager? If it is,
I'm going blind...as well as losing my memory.
Thanks
CW
 
This is not the right newsgroup for this question. Please post on the
relevant newsgroup.

Anyway, it can be found by many ways, one of which is to use "System
information" utility from Start->All Programs->Accessories->System Tools.

Once it gets populated; go to the Components->Storage->Disk
 
The reason I posted here is because the issue of cluster
size came up in discussion about proper configuration of
hardware specifically to ensure smooth operation of MM2.
Video editing places quite different demands on hardware,
as opposed to other apps. Therefore I consider that to
get the best answer to my question, this IS the
appropriate newsgroup. Also, this is just about the only
group where there is virtually 100% response, and it is
always extremely helpful. Except for basic issues, it is
a waste of time posting in most other groups as nobody
answers!
 
I have looked where you suggested and cannot see anything
at all about clusters in Components/Storage/either Disks
or Drives.
Plse clarify where the info is, or advise some of the
other many places where it can be found.
Thank you!
 
I don't know how to check the size, but my textbook says that settings over
the 4Kb default cluster size on an NTFS drive doesn't support
compression..... so try setting a folder to a compressed one... if you're
over the 4Kb, maybe you'll get a message saying you can't do it and it'll
let you know your setting..... and if you can, then it's the default 4Kb.

Just guessing!!!
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org

..
 
Hello,

Yes CW, I remember the previous convewrsation about the best hard drive
configuration so as to get the best capture.

Don't worry about rehan, he is felling a little depressed at the moment.

--
Best Wishes.....John Kelly
www.the-kellys.org
www.the-kellys.co.uk
Just glad I don't live in Croydon, UK
\|||/
(o o)
----------ooO-(_)-Ooo-------------
All material gained from other sources is duly acknowledged. No Value is
obtained by publishing in any format other peoples work
 
WHAT ?????

--
Best Wishes.....John Kelly
www.the-kellys.org
www.the-kellys.co.uk
Just glad I don't live in Croydon, UK
\|||/
(o o)
----------ooO-(_)-Ooo-------------
All material gained from other sources is duly acknowledged. No Value is
obtained by publishing in any format other peoples work
 
Thanks PapaJohn...I have finally found the answer on the
MS site, in the XP Resource Kit (via a link off John
Kelly's site): open the Command Prompt and use the
following: chkdsk (drive:)
This displays lots of exciting info, including "... bytes
in each allocation unit".
As I suspected this shows that my D: drive (that I use
for MM2) has only 4kb clusters, the default under XP, so
when I format my new one (E:) I shall do it in 64kb
clusters and hope to see a performance improvement.
Done guessing now!
CW
 
Hello again CW,

Yep, you got it...as far as the advice from rehan goes....WRONG WRONG WRONG Is
there any way we can get him to stop making these ridiculous posts?? Is there
any one listening from Microsoft....??? Come on fellas its getting real
stupid....

Anyway CW, slapped wrists...I realy expected you to remember that one :):) I
wanted to tell you, but I knew rehan would take the hump again so I left it
alone....sorry, won't do that again

--
Best Wishes.....John Kelly
www.the-kellys.org
www.the-kellys.co.uk
Just glad I don't live in Croydon, UK
\|||/
(o o)
----------ooO-(_)-Ooo-------------
All material gained from other sources is duly acknowledged. No Value is
obtained by publishing in any format other peoples work
 
the default 4Kb.
Click to expand...

Where did anything to do with compression come from????....the answer required
was the one CW found on my website....its a VERY basic command familiar to all
Professionals and even a lot of amateurs !!!!! My GOD...MVP Eh!! who would
want one????

--
Best Wishes.....John Kelly
www.the-kellys.org
www.the-kellys.co.uk
Just glad I don't live in Croydon, UK
\|||/
(o o)
----------ooO-(_)-Ooo-------------
All material gained from other sources is duly acknowledged. No Value is
obtained by publishing in any format other peoples work
 
For the benefit of the person known as papajohn...compression is possible ...get
a new handbook, the girl guides guide to plant life is no good in this game.

--
Best Wishes.....John Kelly
www.the-kellys.org
www.the-kellys.co.uk
Just glad I don't live in Croydon, UK
\|||/
(o o)
----------ooO-(_)-Ooo-------------
All material gained from other sources is duly acknowledged. No Value is
obtained by publishing in any format other peoples work
 
Thanks Rehan but I have found lots of useful info on the
Microsoft site, in the XP Resource Kit. I was led there
by a link off John Kelly's brilliantly helpful site.
I have found that there is a bit more to it, than the
info you gave.
It's not just a matter of how many bytes in one sector,
as a cluster can consist of several sectors, depending on
the formatting of the disk.
To quote the MS explanation:
"Cluster size is determined by the number of sectors that
the cluster contains. For example, on a disk that uses
512-byte sectors, a 512-byte cluster contains one sector,
whereas a 4-KB cluster contains eight sectors".
Also, I found the definitive answer on how to check
cluster size: go to the Command Prompt and run the
following: chkdsk [drive:]
This reports "...bytes in each allocation unit" (i.e.
cluster).
From all the guru advice in this newsgroup, cluster size
has a major impact on the smooth running of MM2, so I
shall re-format my drive from the existing XP default
4-KB cluster size, to 64-KB clusters, and should obtain a
significant performance improvement.
OK, I think that's done this subject to death now.
Thanks
CW
 
CW,

When you're all done and have tested it, let us know what you see in terms
of performance improvement.... and any pitfalls you run into to get there.

Lots of luck,
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org

..
CW said:
Thanks Rehan but I have found lots of useful info on the
Microsoft site, in the XP Resource Kit. I was led there
by a link off John Kelly's brilliantly helpful site.
I have found that there is a bit more to it, than the
info you gave.
It's not just a matter of how many bytes in one sector,
as a cluster can consist of several sectors, depending on
the formatting of the disk.
To quote the MS explanation:
"Cluster size is determined by the number of sectors that
the cluster contains. For example, on a disk that uses
512-byte sectors, a 512-byte cluster contains one sector,
whereas a 4-KB cluster contains eight sectors".
Also, I found the definitive answer on how to check
cluster size: go to the Command Prompt and run the
following: chkdsk [drive:]
This reports "...bytes in each allocation unit" (i.e.
cluster).
From all the guru advice in this newsgroup, cluster size
has a major impact on the smooth running of MM2, so I
shall re-format my drive from the existing XP default
4-KB cluster size, to 64-KB clusters, and should obtain a
significant performance improvement.
OK, I think that's done this subject to death now.
Thanks
CW

-----Original Message-----
It is mentioned as "Bytes/Sector"

--
Rehan
www.rehanfx.org - get more effects and transitions for movie maker








.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hello CW,

Thanks Rehan but I have found lots of useful info on the
Microsoft site, in the XP Resource Kit. I was led there
by a link off John Kelly's brilliantly helpful site.
I have found that there is a bit more to it, than the
info you gave.
Click to expand...

Procedure Name Grovel Points
Destination CW
Process Add 100

LOL

Seriously
From all the guru advice in this newsgroup, cluster size
has a major impact on the smooth running of MM2, so I
shall re-format my drive from the existing XP default
4-KB cluster size, to 64-KB clusters, and should obtain a
significant performance improvement.
Click to expand...

Are you the same CW from some months back? I thought you had fixed your self up
on this issue....or was it your turn to have one of my many excessive "Senior
Moments" :) Anyway, pleased you got what you wanted.

As regards the size of clusters go, I am told by a research fellow at our local
university that we will soon (how long is that) see a new breed of hard
drive....just to keep us all on the hop they will not be using the familiar GB
as a measure of size....the new hard drive will be using one of the special
properties that describes all atoms...in this case its the "Spin" (Something
one or two in here know a lot about) Because of this incredibly small amount of
space that will be used on the new medium they will be able to do several
things...Multi data block transfer in and out giving speeds unheard of before
and capacity....measured in Terra Bytes.

Its the third (or fourth...loosing count) subject this week that rehan has been
wrong with. He apologized on two of them, Can we expect a hat trick? A third
apology...wont hold my breath :) Just glad I don't live in Croydon
OK, I think that's done this subject to death now.
Click to expand...

Yes I agree....till the next time anyway
--
Best Wishes.....John Kelly
www.the-kellys.org
www.the-kellys.co.uk
Just glad I don't live in Croydon, UK
\|||/
(o o)
----------ooO-(_)-Ooo-------------
All material gained from other sources is duly acknowledged. No Value is
obtained by publishing in any format other peoples work
 
Hello papajohn,

You must be slipping...don't you remember some months back I told you
that your advice was wrong and then gave (CW I think) a description of what
to do...he followed the explanation on my web site and came back here and
said THANK YOU in a variety of new ways...you then had the Gaul to copy what
I had said and asked CW to proof read it on YOUR website !!! It was about
that time that I included the statement that I do not gain profit from
others work......TSK TSK TSK Technical knowledge of the structure would have
told you what the first and immediate benefit is...I thought your CV said
you were highly qualified in Database management??? If that were true you
would already see the analogy referred to in the question.

Changed that Girl Guides handbook yet.....

John Kelly
www.the-kellys.org
www.the-kellys.co.uk
Just glad I don't live in Croydon, UK
\|||/
(o o)
----------ooO-(_)-Ooo-------------
All material gained from other sources is duly acknowledged. No Value is
obtained by publishing in any format other peoples work


PapaJohn (MVP) said:
CW,

When you're all done and have tested it, let us know what you see in terms
of performance improvement.... and any pitfalls you run into to get there.

Lots of luck,
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org

.
CW said:
Thanks Rehan but I have found lots of useful info on the
Microsoft site, in the XP Resource Kit. I was led there
by a link off John Kelly's brilliantly helpful site.
I have found that there is a bit more to it, than the
info you gave.
It's not just a matter of how many bytes in one sector,
as a cluster can consist of several sectors, depending on
the formatting of the disk.
To quote the MS explanation:
"Cluster size is determined by the number of sectors that
the cluster contains. For example, on a disk that uses
512-byte sectors, a 512-byte cluster contains one sector,
whereas a 4-KB cluster contains eight sectors".
Also, I found the definitive answer on how to check
cluster size: go to the Command Prompt and run the
following: chkdsk [drive:]
This reports "...bytes in each allocation unit" (i.e.
cluster).
From all the guru advice in this newsgroup, cluster size
has a major impact on the smooth running of MM2, so I
shall re-format my drive from the existing XP default
4-KB cluster size, to 64-KB clusters, and should obtain a
significant performance improvement.
OK, I think that's done this subject to death now.
Thanks
CW

-----Original Message-----
It is mentioned as "Bytes/Sector"

--
Rehan
www.rehanfx.org - get more effects and transitions for movie maker





I have looked where you suggested and cannot see anything
at all about clusters in Components/Storage/either Disks
or Drives.
Plse clarify where the info is, or advise some of the
other many places where it can be found.
Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
This is not the right newsgroup for this question.
Please post on the
relevant newsgroup.

Anyway, it can be found by many ways, one of which is to
use "System
information" utility from Start->All Programs-
Accessories->System Tools.

Once it gets populated; go to the Components->Storage-
Disk



message
Running XP Pro - how can I check the cluster size of an
existing NTFS drive? I don't think it is the default
4kb -
I seem to recall that when I formatted it a couple of
yrs
ago, I set a larger size. But now I can't remember!
Is it somewhere in Admin Tools/Disk Manager? If it is,
I'm going blind...as well as losing my memory.
Thanks
CW



.



.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
PapaJohn -
Yes, will do. I guess I should run a process on 4KB
clusters and then do the identical same thing again on
64KB. In your view, what do u think would be the most
meaningful test to run - a few mins of capture, see how
long it takes to import the files each time? Or is there
something else that would stress the file structure even
more and would be more telling?
Thanks
CW
-----Original Message-----
CW,

When you're all done and have tested it, let us know what you see in terms
of performance improvement.... and any pitfalls you run into to get there.

Lots of luck,
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org

..
Thanks Rehan but I have found lots of useful info on the
Microsoft site, in the XP Resource Kit. I was led there
by a link off John Kelly's brilliantly helpful site.
I have found that there is a bit more to it, than the
info you gave.
It's not just a matter of how many bytes in one sector,
as a cluster can consist of several sectors, depending on
the formatting of the disk.
To quote the MS explanation:
"Cluster size is determined by the number of sectors that
the cluster contains. For example, on a disk that uses
512-byte sectors, a 512-byte cluster contains one sector,
whereas a 4-KB cluster contains eight sectors".
Also, I found the definitive answer on how to check
cluster size: go to the Command Prompt and run the
following: chkdsk [drive:]
This reports "...bytes in each allocation unit" (i.e.
cluster).
From all the guru advice in this newsgroup, cluster size
has a major impact on the smooth running of MM2, so I
shall re-format my drive from the existing XP default
4-KB cluster size, to 64-KB clusters, and should obtain a
significant performance improvement.
OK, I think that's done this subject to death now.
Thanks
CW

-----Original Message-----
It is mentioned as "Bytes/Sector"

--
Rehan
www.rehanfx.org - get more effects and transitions for movie maker





I have looked where you suggested and cannot see anything
at all about clusters in Components/Storage/either Disks
or Drives.
Plse clarify where the info is, or advise some of the
other many places where it can be found.
Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
This is not the right newsgroup for this question.
Please post on the
relevant newsgroup.

Anyway, it can be found by many ways, one of which is to
use "System
information" utility from Start->All Programs-
Accessories->System Tools.

Once it gets populated; go to the Components- Storage-
Disk



message
Running XP Pro - how can I check the cluster size
Click to expand...
of
an
existing NTFS drive? I don't think it is the default
4kb -
I seem to recall that when I formatted it a couple of
yrs
ago, I set a larger size. But now I can't remember!
Is it somewhere in Admin Tools/Disk Manager? If it is,
I'm going blind...as well as losing my memory.
Thanks
CW



.



.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...


.
Click to expand...
 
John -
Well, yes, if memory serves me right, what is left of me
is the same CW from the rather turgid disk mgmt
discussion some months back but be fair, that was a whole
summer ago and a few grey cells have gone their way since
then. What I did very much remember, though, was your
advice about cluster size being so critical. That's why I
kicked off this thread, as I could not recall what I had
set the last new disk to when I formatted it, and this
time, with another new drive going in, I want to be
certain I go to the max.
Oh dear, looks like I started WW III.
Anyway, as I have said to PJ, what do u think would be
the best way to do some comparison tests - what is the
most demanding process that MM2 could throw at the
respective file structures, to show up the performance
gains?
Thanks as always (more points for that?)
CW
-----Original Message-----
Hello CW,

Procedure Name Grovel Points
Destination CW
Process Add 100

LOL

Seriously


Are you the same CW from some months back? I
Click to expand...
thought you had fixed your self up
on this issue....or was it your turn to have one of my many excessive "Senior
Moments" :) Anyway, pleased you got what you wanted.

As regards the size of clusters go, I am told by a research fellow at our local
university that we will soon (how long is that) see a new breed of hard
drive....just to keep us all on the hop they will not be using the familiar GB
as a measure of size....the new hard drive will be using one of the special
properties that describes all atoms...in this case its the "Spin" (Something
one or two in here know a lot about) Because of
Click to expand...
this incredibly small amount of
space that will be used on the new medium they will be able to do several
things...Multi data block transfer in and out
Click to expand...
giving speeds unheard of before
Click to expand...
 
The most demanding tasks on hard drives are exporting to a digital camcorder
and playing a large file like a DV-AVI one smoothly in Windows Media Player
at full screen.
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org

..
CW said:
PapaJohn -
Yes, will do. I guess I should run a process on 4KB
clusters and then do the identical same thing again on
64KB. In your view, what do u think would be the most
meaningful test to run - a few mins of capture, see how
long it takes to import the files each time? Or is there
something else that would stress the file structure even
more and would be more telling?
Thanks
CW
-----Original Message-----
CW,

When you're all done and have tested it, let us know what you see in terms
of performance improvement.... and any pitfalls you run into to get there.

Lots of luck,
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org

..
Thanks Rehan but I have found lots of useful info on the
Microsoft site, in the XP Resource Kit. I was led there
by a link off John Kelly's brilliantly helpful site.
I have found that there is a bit more to it, than the
info you gave.
It's not just a matter of how many bytes in one sector,
as a cluster can consist of several sectors, depending on
the formatting of the disk.
To quote the MS explanation:
"Cluster size is determined by the number of sectors that
the cluster contains. For example, on a disk that uses
512-byte sectors, a 512-byte cluster contains one sector,
whereas a 4-KB cluster contains eight sectors".
Also, I found the definitive answer on how to check
cluster size: go to the Command Prompt and run the
following: chkdsk [drive:]
This reports "...bytes in each allocation unit" (i.e.
cluster).
From all the guru advice in this newsgroup, cluster size
has a major impact on the smooth running of MM2, so I
shall re-format my drive from the existing XP default
4-KB cluster size, to 64-KB clusters, and should obtain a
significant performance improvement.
OK, I think that's done this subject to death now.
Thanks
CW


-----Original Message-----
It is mentioned as "Bytes/Sector"

--
Rehan
www.rehanfx.org - get more effects and transitions for
movie maker





message
I have looked where you suggested and cannot see
anything
at all about clusters in Components/Storage/either
Disks
or Drives.
Plse clarify where the info is, or advise some of the
other many places where it can be found.
Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
This is not the right newsgroup for this question.
Please post on the
relevant newsgroup.

Anyway, it can be found by many ways, one of which is
to
use "System
information" utility from Start->All Programs-
Accessories->System Tools.

Once it gets populated; go to the Components- Storage-
Disk



message
Running XP Pro - how can I check the cluster size of
an
existing NTFS drive? I don't think it is the default
4kb -
I seem to recall that when I formatted it a couple of
yrs
ago, I set a larger size. But now I can't remember!
Is it somewhere in Admin Tools/Disk Manager? If it
is,
I'm going blind...as well as losing my memory.
Thanks
CW



.



.
Click to expand...


.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
But.... I'm not sure cluster size is what's limiting....
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org

..
PapaJohn (MVP) said:
The most demanding tasks on hard drives are exporting to a digital
camcorder and playing a large file like a DV-AVI one smoothly in Windows
Media Player at full screen.
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org

.
CW said:
PapaJohn -
Yes, will do. I guess I should run a process on 4KB
clusters and then do the identical same thing again on
64KB. In your view, what do u think would be the most
meaningful test to run - a few mins of capture, see how
long it takes to import the files each time? Or is there
something else that would stress the file structure even
more and would be more telling?
Thanks
CW
-----Original Message-----
CW,

When you're all done and have tested it, let us know what you see in terms
of performance improvement.... and any pitfalls you run into to get there.

Lots of luck,
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org

..
Thanks Rehan but I have found lots of useful info on the
Microsoft site, in the XP Resource Kit. I was led there
by a link off John Kelly's brilliantly helpful site.
I have found that there is a bit more to it, than the
info you gave.
It's not just a matter of how many bytes in one sector,
as a cluster can consist of several sectors, depending on
the formatting of the disk.
To quote the MS explanation:
"Cluster size is determined by the number of sectors that
the cluster contains. For example, on a disk that uses
512-byte sectors, a 512-byte cluster contains one sector,
whereas a 4-KB cluster contains eight sectors".
Also, I found the definitive answer on how to check
cluster size: go to the Command Prompt and run the
following: chkdsk [drive:]
This reports "...bytes in each allocation unit" (i.e.
cluster).
From all the guru advice in this newsgroup, cluster size
has a major impact on the smooth running of MM2, so I
shall re-format my drive from the existing XP default
4-KB cluster size, to 64-KB clusters, and should obtain a
significant performance improvement.
OK, I think that's done this subject to death now.
Thanks
CW


-----Original Message-----
It is mentioned as "Bytes/Sector"

--
Rehan
www.rehanfx.org - get more effects and transitions for
movie maker





message
I have looked where you suggested and cannot see
anything
at all about clusters in Components/Storage/either
Disks
or Drives.
Plse clarify where the info is, or advise some of the
other many places where it can be found.
Thank you!

-----Original Message-----
This is not the right newsgroup for this question.
Please post on the
relevant newsgroup.

Anyway, it can be found by many ways, one of which is
to
use "System
information" utility from Start->All Programs-
Accessories->System Tools.

Once it gets populated; go to the Components-
Storage-
Disk



message
Running XP Pro - how can I check the cluster size of
an
existing NTFS drive? I don't think it is the default
4kb -
I seem to recall that when I formatted it a couple of
yrs
ago, I set a larger size. But now I can't remember!
Is it somewhere in Admin Tools/Disk Manager? If it
is,
I'm going blind...as well as losing my memory.
Thanks
CW



.



.



.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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