formating the HD and cluster size ?

[Omb]

hello geeks.
i want to format my hard disc and i recently read that cluster size (recomed to get 32K cluster sizes) can improve audio preformance
so,
1. how and where can i check my cluster size ?
2. if my hard dic divided to C:for opreating system and d:for audio can one partition be
in one cluster size and the second patition
will be in differnt cluster size ?
3.what are the cluster size that you use
and what is the best size for audio and
for operating system ?
eny help or links will do .

cheers
omb.

[Tony B]

Which OS are you using or intend to use?

[Omb]

i,m using now win2000.
thank's.

Omb

[astroman]

I'd really recommand some utility software if you're gonna mess with the harddisk.
This allows you to setup partition and cluster sizes from within windows.
The Powerquest stuff (there's a lot, like Partition Magic) has explanations and BACKUP facilities too, so you're safe before applying that final screamer
On the other hand: current harddisks have great performance (bang for the buck) values but imho totally suck in reliability.
That's the price of the price.
To have a separate audio disk will have much more effect than modifying cluster.
The partitioning just keeps files better organized, but doesn't help if (for example) during recording the system tries to access the swap file.
The drive head has to be moved to a different part of the disk - meanwhile the recording gets (hopefully) buffered - then, after the 'system' task the drive moves the head back to the recording track and continues with writing the buffered data.
On two disks this would be a simple channel switch with no mechnics involved.

cheers, Tom

[Omb]

thanks astro .
i think i'll better stick to what i allredy have.

fu n and joy .
Omb

[davo]

Hi Omb

If you format a drive with this command:
format x:/z:64 where x= drive letter
you will increase cluster size to 32kb
with a FAT32.
Since audio file are so large your not going to loose much space with the bigger cluster size

hope this helps
Dave