altering MFT in HDD...should or should not?

has anyone ever tried to alter the setting in the MFT of the hard drive? will there be any difference in performance?

 

Mft?.........

 

yea...it's Master File Table

 

Alter what settings in the MFT? The MFT is essentially a relational database table that contains attributes about the files on an NTFS. Theree are no settings to tweak...about the only thing I can even think of you might do is alter the default NtfsMftZoneReservation setting in the registry, but I've never noticed a difference on a machine after doing it.

 

Yes, that's what I was asking about too... what settings?

 

the default setting on t61 is i think around 76MB. i raised it up to 350MB instead.

 

The only way I know how to increase the MFT size is by using a program such as diskeeper. I have diskeeper 10 premiere pro. I allowed it to increase the size of the MFT according to it's recommendations. However, I have not noticed a difference in anything. Also, windows will increase the MFT size as needed so there is really no need to mess with it.

 

well, yes and no. The idea behind NtfsMftZoneReservation is to enlarge the MFT so that it does not get fragmented later on. If windows needs to increase the size of the MFT later, and depending on the state of the drive, it will do so by increasing the size, but it can be in two or more fragments. By increasing the size beforehand it allots more space at first so it will not become fragmented later

So, if you are going to do this, you typically do this right after a windows setup with a clean install.

In my experience , an MFT in two fragments is really no slower than one solid MFT. (in real world application )

 

what gerry says is true.

Stallan, I have a question for you. I have diskeeper 10 on my t61p... I really want the boot time defragmentation but I get an exception and it never even starts directory defragmentation.

Does yours work?

 

have you run a chkdsk first? this usually results from a file system error

call up a command line, and run
chkdsk /r

say yes checkdisk on next reboot

reboot.

after restart, try a boot time again

 

That sounds familiar. I think that's what I did.

I think I accessed check disk by right clicking the c drive -> properties -> tools -> check disk for errors.

 

I believe I did this and still got the exception. I understand how to do these things.

 

did you try the
chkdsk /r

command (a more exhaustive chkdsk). I had a machine last week that I had to remove the drive and mount it in a second computer and run chkdsk to get it to complete properly.

 

My t61 is in my laptop case and I'm just going out. It's going to have to be deferred.

 

I gave up on Diskeeper awhile back, and use PerfectDisk which is the only defragmenter on the market certified for Vista. Beyond that I really don't want to support a company based on Scientology. I am sure Diskeeper works great for many, but perfectdisk has been a great alternative.

Phil

 

OMG.... Diskkeeper supports scientology?!?!?!?
OMG....
OMG...
I didn't know........

Does perfect disk has the nice displays and boottime defragmentation. If not, I'd support the scientologists.

 

Yes perfectdisk does a great job with boot time defragging. It is quite slick, and keeps the drive in good working order. Don't get me wrong I think both products are decent, but Diskeeper is a bit more slick on how to charge you. You can get an trade-up price that is pretty cheap from Perfectdisk. (BTW make sure you DON'T CLICK anything involving them sending you emails).

In regards to the management of the two firms -- to be frank since I have both products. I can say they are fairly equal regardless of what the two say. Perfectdisk is CERTIFIED for Vista by Microsoft, but who knows what that means. I'd say Diskeeper releases more upgrades for "optics" without any real features, but some true costs involved. If you read the white papers on what their products are really doing its more for optics. That being said Perfectdisk has gotten into that game with their Perfectdisk Suite which is not worth it just get the defragger.

Executive Disk aka Diskeeper Corp is a HUGE scientology supporter, and they just give me the creeps.
http://www.craigjensen.com/entrepreneur.html

Jensen is the Founder and CEO.

Phil

 

does technology have to do with religions? i think we should put it aside.

 

Can't help but feed into it a little bit.... I'm not personally a supporter of Scientology, but that's not a very good reason to avoid the product Diskeeper, IMHO. That is unless you've done your research and you are certain that all the folks over at Perfectdisk are really "perfect".

 

Diskeeper as a product goes is a decent product I prefer Perfectdisk, but I know people who love Diskeeper. Sorry for the off topic religious issue.

 

Well, I know a lot of people who pray whenever there computer breaks down, so a religious connection to technology just seem natural....

 

"does technology have to do with religions? i think we should put it aside."

I guess that's the same as someone suggesting that nuclear bombs are "morally neutral." This idea about technolohy being pristine is sooo irresponsible.