Format with cluster size

[TinMan]

Is there a way to get the installer to format drive c: (the only drive) with a set cluster size in NTFS format.

I ask this because its a raid drive and has been setup with a set size there and I want it to match up.

Thankyou.

[gosh]

format /?

-gosh

[TinMan]

I dont think I should go "Ha Ha", but anyhow, I will expand my question a bit.

I can get the installer to destroy the partitons and make a new one and install there, but it will use the XP default of 4K for the allocation unit size. My raid array is setup for 16K custers and so I want the allocation unit size to match this.

Is there are way, like there is for the file system type, to force the default size to 16k?

[gosh]

You don't need to be a wise a**, i answered you question. The topic of this thread is "format with cluster size". You asked if there's any way to get the installer to change the allocation unit, you didn't specify what you meant by installer. Do you mean setup.exe or format.exe or what? I assumed by the topic of this thread that you want to use format, you never asked for a way to do this during setup.

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]© Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

D:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>format /?

Formats a disk for use with Windows XP.

FORMAT volume [/FS:file-system] [/V:label] [/Q] [/A:size] [/C] [/X]

FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q] [/F:size]

FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q] [/T:tracks /N:sectors]

FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q]

FORMAT volume [/Q]

  volume          Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),

                  mount point, or volume name.

  /FS:filesystem  Specifies the type of the file system (FAT, FAT32, or NTFS).

  /V:label        Specifies the volume label.

  /Q              Performs a quick format.

  /C              NTFS only: Files created on the new volume will be compressed

                  by default.

  /X              Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.  All opened

                  handles to the volume would no longer be valid.

  /A:size      Overrides the default allocation unit size. Default settings

                  are strongly recommended for general use.

                  NTFS supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K.

                  FAT supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K,

                  (128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).

                  FAT32 supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K,

                  (128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).

                  Note that the FAT and FAT32 files systems impose the

                  following restrictions on the number of clusters on a volume:

                  FAT: Number of clusters <= 65526

                  FAT32: 65526 < Number of clusters < 4177918

                  Format will immediately stop processing if it decides that

                  the above requirements cannot be met using the specified

                  cluster size.

                  NTFS compression is not supported for allocation unit sizes

                  above 4096.

  /F:size      Specifies the size of the floppy disk to format (1.44)

  /T:tracks    Specifies the number of tracks per disk side.

  /N:sectors      Specifies the number of sectors per track.

D:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>

If you don't like my answers then next time don't be vague and assume people know exactly what you want.

-gosh

[Pollux]

Hello!

Since you'r so great gosh, could you please look at my post here, nobody seems to be able to answer it. Read it carefully (to the end of the topic) since there has been some missunderstandings along the way...

Thanks

/ Pollux

[TinMan]

Right, I will first explain my second post since that was mis interperited.

I dont think I should go "Ha Ha", but anyhow

That was not aimed to be an insult, if aimed as an insult it would have been more direct. I asked for that answer because I did not structure my question correctly. There was no offence intended.

Back to the question:

I have a SATA RAID setup on my computer, this is a RAID 0 config, so there is no data redundency, just speed.

I have setup the arrey with a cluster size of 16K after that being recommended as the better performence setting for my computer. This is all well and nice, however windows when issued with a format command from either the setup utility, windows format or DOS format will format the partition with a an allocution unit of 4K.

For best performance the 2 units should match (and I know how 4 goes into 16, 4 times so is shouldnt be a problem), but for the effort of setting it up for performance it may aswel be setup correctly for windows also.

So the main part of the question:

After you put this nice CD I have made into the drive, it boots, formats (as 4K) and installs windows. BUT can I alters something in the setup files that will force windows to set its default allocation size to 16K.

I think that looks a bit better now.