32kb cluster size? Whaaa?

[nodoubts2k]

okay..i check my drive; and this is what i got:

Volume (D🙂:
Volume size = 102 GB
Cluster size = 32 KB
Used space = 77,908 MB
Free space = 27,069 MB
Percent free space = 25 %

Fragmentation percentage
Volume fragmentation = 47 %
Data fragmentation = 63 %

File fragmentation
Total files = 39,975
Average file size = 1,971 KB
Total fragmented files = 1,921
Total excess fragments = 25,808
Average fragments per file = 1.64

Paging File fragmentation
Paging/Swap file size = 0 bytes
Total fragments = 0

Directory fragmentation
Total directories = 2,331
Fragmented directories = 8
Excess directory fragments = 35

But how is the cluster size 32 bit?! I went to the properties window and it says FAT32; however according to This site, even on fat32 the cluster size isnt that big. I installed using an upgrade from windows 98 (on XP now). How is this possible? I didnt use any other OS to create the drive (other than 98 and XP) so WTF is going on? I assume im loosing a lot of space...

 

[Accord99]

Windows XP won't format a partion larger than 32GB as FAT32, but Windows 98/ME will. And with the number of files you have on the partition, a rough estimate would suggest that you're losing about ~700MB of data as compared to it being formatted as NTFS.

 

[lucky9]

you might also defragment and see how much you gain. i've noticed that most people that do a clean install get better results. and use ntfs!!!! it solves this sort of thing better.

 

[trilks]

agreed with lucky9, defrag and go to NTFS. if nothing else, at least defrag the disk (47%/63% fragmentation is pretty high).

i dont believe windows will allow you to choose cluster size when formatting a NTFS partition, but i know Partition Magic 8.0 will. if you like you could try using PM 8 (a good partitioning tool to have in any case), but i'm thinking that simply converting the partition to NTFS will solve the cluster size problem.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: trilks
agreed with lucky9, defrag and go to NTFS. if nothing else, at least defrag the disk (47%/63% fragmentation is pretty high).

i dont believe windows will allow you to choose cluster size when formatting a NTFS partition, but i know Partition Magic 8.0 will. if you like you could try using PM 8 (a good partitioning tool to have in any case), but i'm thinking that simply converting the partition to NTFS will solve the cluster size problem.

Yes, Windows XP does allow you to choose the cluster size. Format /a lets you set the cluster size manually. I don't know what the convert function does about the cluster size.