Folder size on disk

[Sean]

Hi,

I have a folder on my PC that is 3.46 Mb (3,634,730 b) Size on disk is
reported as 4.5 Mb (4,722,688b) 400 files, 8 folders

When I copy the folder to a 256 Mb SD card the size is reported as 3.46 Mb
(3,634,730 b) Size on disk is reported as 8.48 Mb (8,896,512 b) 400 files, 8
folders. It is the same size when copied onto my 1 Gb SD card.

Why does the folder take up so much more room on the SD card? has the SD
card been formatted with a huge cluster size? Can I reformat the SD card to
allow me to fit more on the disk? If so how?

I am reading the SD card in a All in one card reader. and the SD card is
also being used in a Pocket PC O2 XDA Mini running windows mobile 2003. Are
there any limitations to the ability of the pocket PC to read a reformatted
SD card?

Any assistance will be appreciated.

Sean

 

[Werner \Menneisyys\ Ruotsalainen [MVP - Windows -]

Obviously your card is formatted with FAT16 and a large, 16 kbyte+ cluster
size. Reformat the card; please read
http://pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17921 on this.

 

[Admiral Q]

Hi,

I have a folder on my PC that is 3.46 Mb (3,634,730 b) Size on disk is
reported as 4.5 Mb (4,722,688b) 400 files, 8 folders

When I copy the folder to a 256 Mb SD card the size is reported as 3.46 Mb
(3,634,730 b) Size on disk is reported as 8.48 Mb (8,896,512 b) 400 files,
8 folders. It is the same size when copied onto my 1 Gb SD card.

Why does the folder take up so much more room on the SD card? has the SD
card been formatted with a huge cluster size? Can I reformat the SD card
to allow me to fit more on the disk? If so how?

I am reading the SD card in a All in one card reader. and the SD card is
also being used in a Pocket PC O2 XDA Mini running windows mobile 2003.
Are there any limitations to the ability of the pocket PC to read a
reformatted SD card?

Any assistance will be appreciated.

Sean

As werner eluded to, although it doesn't necessarily have to be FAT12,
FAT16, FAT32, FAT64 or NTFS that makes the difference, it is the cluster
size used when the disk was formatted. The larger the cluster size, the
more space files smaller than the cluster size will take. Normally the
cluster size is selected based on the "norm" of the file sizes being stored
on the media, large files, you pick large clusters, as the file will fit in
less clusters, small files, you pick smaller clusters, as not to waste more
disk space, but sometimes people pick large clusters, but store tremendous
amounts of small files, then wasting tons of disk space.

 

[Sean]

Thanks guy's,

It looks like I will have to investigate reformatting the disk. If course
the next question is what cluster size to use. And if there are any
limitations in reading the disks in my O2 XDA Mini. I expect that a few
quick experiments should sort this out.

Sean

 

[Werner \Menneisyys\ Ruotsalainen [MVP - Windows -]

Use the fastest, most efficient cluster size. Also make sure you test your
card with all the possible testing. For example, with many non-hjigh-end
cards, disabling the backup FAT results in a tremendous file creation speed
increase.

I recommend http://pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17921 for more
info an ALL these questions.