Westley,... Thanks very much for the detailed information.
I've read the links and understand more about the MFT but, I does not seem
to be consistant on my system. Here is my question or problem. My "C"
drive is 20 GBs and running Xp-sp2,.. no problems. However, when I look at
all the analysis with "Diskeeper", there is "NO" reserved system space.
There is 66% free space. I try to manage it to this so I can do a good image
backup and have it fit onto 1 -4.7 GB Data disk. If the MFT is made large
for performance, why is there none on the "C" drive. This is the only place
I really need performace. There is no performance issue on my other drives
because there is no place where I access lots of data on a continual basis.
My Drive-2, is an 80 GB disk with 4 partitions of 20 GB each,.. same as "C".
The first is "D" which is for all my programs that are installed. I don't
let anything install on "C" except windows and those I can't prevent. I've
moved the Page file to another very fast and large disk.
"D" is 52% free space but it has 2.4 GB of "Reserved System". When I try to
make an image backup of this partition, it will only compress down from 9.4
GB to 6.8 GB. This won't fit onto one DVD+RW disk. I am assuming that
the "Reserved Ssystem" space looks like any other file and is compressed with
the rest of the image. But what about the "Empty space" in the MFT. I
don't think the Image backup software can tell the difference?
The "E" drive is 20 GB and only has a 1GB reserve which is 5%. The "F"
drive is 20 GB and has NO reserved space. The "G" drive is 20 GB and has
2.5 GB reserve which is the 12% expected.
All of these last 4 partitions do not have any data that requires
performance. D is Programs, E is personal data, documents, Downloaded
files. F is family pictures, CD music, etc. and G is scratch space and
folders of backup files. I also have two more drives of 120 GB each where I
do video capture, editing, etc.
Over the last 2 years there has been a lot of activity of moving files in
and out on all of these drives. I do keep them defragged with Diskeeper but
I guess the "Reserve System" of the MFT can get fragmented. I understand
that Diskeeper can defrag this but I don't know how to do this "Off LIne".
I hope you have some ideas for me. Thanks again.
--
"Technology,...It''''s what keeps us all going"
Wesley Vogel said:
[[To prevent the MFT from becoming fragmented, NTFS reserves 12.5 percent of
volume by default for exclusive use of the MFT. This space, known as the MFT
zone, is not used to store data unless the remainder of the volume becomes
full.
Depending on the average file size and other variables, as the disk fills to
capacity, either the MFT zone or the unreserved space on the disk becomes
full first.]]
MFT Zone
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkc_fil_xhpo.asp
[[Because utilities that defragment NTFS volumes cannot move MFT entries,
and because excessive fragmentation of the MFT can impact performance, NTFS
reserves space for the MFT in an effort to keep the MFT as contiguous as
possible as it grows. ]]
How NTFS Reserves Space for its Master File Table (MFT)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;174619
Master File Table and Metadata Files
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkc_fil_rpjv.asp
NTFS Master File Table (MFT)
http://www.ntfs.com/ntfs-mft.htm
--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
In
