NFTS: Master File Table

[Wuhtzu]

Hey out there

I have some questions regarding the master file table in the NT File System.

First of all how to determine the usage of the Master File Table...?

Diskeeper can do this, but it always displayes 99% usage even if the volume has just been created and only a few files copied to it. The size can be determined by both Diskeeper and O&O Defrag and the two values found match so I belive those -> but if you have a better way of getting the MFT size then please tell me.

Next, how to enlarge the size of the MFT?

I have read the MS article about the subject and it tells me to add a REG_DWORD value to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem called NtfsMftZoneReservation and the value can hold the numbers 1-4 (1= 12%, 2=25%, 3=37% and 4=50%)...

But the articles says this only applies to

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition

What about XP ?

Which volume will the setting apply to?

Will the setting apply to all volumes, the system volume or what? In the KB Article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q227350/ it reads:

"Use this information along with the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base to adjust the NtfsMftZoneReservation value, back up and reformat the volume to create a contiguous MFT using the higher zone reservation space, and then perform a full volume restore:

174619 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/174619/EN-US/) How NTFS Reserves Space for its Master File Table (MFT) "

How shall i reformat the system partition (on which windows is installed) to creat this contiguous MFT? I normally uses C: for windows, should i then install windows to D: and change the MFT size, then reformat C: and then install windos to C:?

Hopefully someone know more of this subject than I do

Wuhtzu -

[suryad]

Yes you are right Diskkeeper does give some info about the MFT. It can also modify it for you. Diskkeeper does report it as being almost full and there is an option if you play around in it that allows you to change the size of the MFT. I usually change it to what Diskkeeper recommends.

[Wuhtzu]

Yes I have noticed the function in Diskeeper, but as the Knowledge Database says it won't take effect untill the volume is reformatted.

Noone else who have played around with these settings?