Disks and Formatting

Ch 3 1

Disks andFormatting

Ch 3 2

OverviewOverview

The need for formatting a disk will be discussed.

Ch 3 3

OverviewOverview

The difference between partitioning and formatting a

disk will be explained.

Ch 3 4

OverviewOverview

The structure of a disk will be described.

Ch 3 5

OverviewOverview

Will learn to format a disk, electronically label it, and then

how to change the label.

Ch 3 6

OverviewOverview

Various file systems will be compared and contrasted.

Ch 3 7

OverviewOverview

Some of the parameters that can be used with the FORMAT

command will be discussed and then used with the FORMAT

command.

Ch 3 8

Why Format a Disk?Why Format a Disk?

Disks used for: Permanent storage of data and

programs Distributing data from one

computer to another Making copies

Ch 3 9


Formatting (initializing) the disk: Process of preparing disk so that it

is compatible with an operating system

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All disks (including hard disks) must be formatted.

Ch 3 11

Partitioning and Partitioning and Formatting DisksFormatting Disks

Hard disks must be: Partitioned Formatted with file system

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Partition terms: Primary partition Partition table Volume Active partition Extended partition

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Dual booting system:Create partition for each OSOnly one OS active at a timeEach OS formats disks in own way Precautions in running multiple OS

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File system: Organizational scheme of OS

OS is what makes one computer compatible with another

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Windows XP Professional supports four file systems:

NTFS Three FAT file systems -

FAT12 FAT16 FAT32

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Types of disk storage configuration: Basic disks Dynamic disks

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk

Two parts to formatting a disk: Low-level (physical) formatting High level (logical) formatting

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Low-level (physical) formatting: Sequentially numbers tracks and

sectors Identifies each track and sector Disk is physically prepared to

hold data

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High-level (logical) formatting: Determines how OS uses a disk Builds structure to keep track of

location of files Done so files can be stored and

retrieved.

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Windows XP Professional monitors status of all

disk data sectors.

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One or more sectors are combined into logical units called clusters or allocation

units.

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Cluster (allocation unit): Smallest unit that OS can work

with

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Cluster overhang: Wasted space on the disk.

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Structure of a Disk Structure of a Disk Master Boot Record & Boot SectorMaster Boot Record & Boot Sector

Master boot record (MBR): First part of hard disk Locates bootable partition of hard

disk and gives control over to it

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Master Boot Record & Boot SectorMaster Boot Record & Boot Sector

Boot sector: First sector on logical drive Has table of drive’s characteristics Has bootstrap loader program

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All disks (including non-system disks) have a boot sector.

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FAT non-system error messages: Non-system disk or disk error Replace disk and press any key

when ready

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NTFS non-system error messages: Invalid partition table Error loading operating system Missing operating system

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Floppy disk non-system error messages: NTLDR is missing Press any key to restart

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Windows uses boot sector to identify the type of disk.

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk FAT16, VFAT & FAT32FAT16, VFAT & FAT32

FAT’s formatting program creates: Boot record File Allocation Table (2 copies) Root directory

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Fig 3.1 Logical Structure of a Disk p. 100Fig 3.1 Logical Structure of a Disk p. 100

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FAT is a map of disk’s data clusters.

FAT number indicates status of cluster.

Numbers in FAT link clusters that belong to same file

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Table 3.1 Cluster Size and Disk Size p. 100Table 3.1 Cluster Size and Disk Size p. 100

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FAT essential for: Managing data Following trail of clusters that

make up a file

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VFAT maintains backwards compatibility and

accommodates long file names.

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FAT32: Enhancement of FAT file system Introduced to overcome

limitations of VFAT Does not apply to floppy drives

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Table 3.2 Comparison of FAT and FAT32 p. 101Table 3.2 Comparison of FAT and FAT32 p. 101

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FAT32:Movable Root Directory

Can be located anywhere on hard diskCan use backup copy of FAT Internal backup copy of some critical

FAT data structuresEntries in Root Directory limited

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With smaller clusters: More clusters on partition FAT larger - store more data Takes longer to locate/access file

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With larger clusters: Table smaller Takes less time to locate/access file Increases wasted disk space from

cluster overhang

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FAT32 is best for many small files.

FAT is best for mostly large files.

Ch 3 43

Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk The Root DirectoryThe Root Directory

Root Directory: Table that records information

about each file on the disk

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk The Root DirectoryThe Root Directory

Changes in root directory table make Windows XP Professional compatible with older Windows

and DOS programs.

Ch 3 45

Structure of a Disk Structure of a Disk FAT and the Root DirectoryFAT and the Root Directory

Root directory tells what is on the disk.

FAT tells where data is on the disk.

Ch 3 46

Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk FAT and the Root DirectoryFAT and the Root Directory

Number in FAT points to next cluster that holds data in file.

EOF (end-of-file) marker indicates there is no more data in file.

Ch 3 47

Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk FAT and the Root DirectoryFAT and the Root Directory

Fig 3.2 The Root Directory and FAT p. 103Fig 3.2 The Root Directory and FAT p. 103

Ch 3 48

Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Data Portion or the Files AreaData Portion or the Files Area

Largest part of disk is used for storing files.

Space is allocated to files on an as-needed basis.

Ch 3 49

Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Data Portion or the Files AreaData Portion or the Files Area

A file is written to a disk in: Contiguous clusters or Noncontiguous clusters.

Ch 3 50

Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Understanding FAT & Root Understanding FAT & Root

Directory TableDirectory TableFig 3.3 Storing Files p. 105Fig 3.3 Storing Files p. 105

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk NTFSNTFS

File system used determines OS advanced features available to user.

For disk security, performance, and efficiency use NTFS file system.

Ch 3 52

Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk NTFSNTFS

Advantages of NTFS: Secure file system Efficient storage of data Faster file access Better data recovery Can compress files/assign disk quotas Encryption of files

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Structure of a Disk Structure of a Disk Clusters and NTFSClusters and NTFS

NTFS: Uses FAT cluster scheme for

allocating data. Has less overhead.

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Clusters and NTFSClusters and NTFS

Table 3.3 NTFS Cluster Size p. 106Table 3.3 NTFS Cluster Size p. 106

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Clusters and NTFSClusters and NTFS

Fig 3.4 Structure of an NTFS Volume p. 106Fig 3.4 Structure of an NTFS Volume p. 106

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Master File Table (MFT)Master File Table (MFT)

Master File Table (MFT): Database of all files in system Used by NTFS to track all files

and directories in a volume Dynamic

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MFT is different from FAT.

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MFT: Adds security descriptor attribute to

file system Data in file considered to be

attribute of file Allows fast access to files Eliminates file fragmentation

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MFT: Attribute stored in MFT considered

resident attribute Any resident forced out to an extent is

nonresident attribute

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Master File Table (MFTMaster File Table (MFT))

Folders treated as files in NTFS: Small folder - Index Root attribute Folder entries will fit into MFT -

new extent nonresident attribute called index buffer

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Deciding on a File SystemDeciding on a File System

Formatting: Floppy disk - always FAT file

system Hard disk - you decide

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Structure of a DiskStructure of a Disk Deciding on a File SystemDeciding on a File System

Can convert FAT to FAT32/NTFS

Cannot convert FAT32/NTFS to FAT

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Clarifying ProceduresClarifying Procedures

Procedural assumptions: System utility files subdirectory Type of disk Lab procedures

Ch 3 64

Activity—Formatting a Activity—Formatting a Floppy DiskFloppy Disk

KEY CONCEPTS: Function of screen prompt Internal vs. external commands Result of keying in FORMAT C: Using the FORMAT commandUnique serial number used for disk identification

by application programs.

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Formatting a Disk with a Formatting a Disk with a Volume LabelVolume Label

FORMAT command parameters: FORMAT volume [/FS:file-system]

[/V:label] [/Q] [A:size] [/C] [/X] FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q]

[/F:size]

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

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

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Basic syntax of FORMAT command:

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

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/F size parameter: Easy way to format floppy disks that

do not match capacity of a floppy disk drive

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Volume label is electronic name.

Partial command diagram FORMAT A: /V[:label] No spaces between colon and label

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Activity—Using the /V Activity—Using the /V OptionOption

KEY CONCEPTS: Purpose/function of VOL command Need of descriptive volume label Two ways to display volume label [drive:] - variable parameter

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The LABEL CommandThe LABEL Command

LABEL command:

External command Used to change volume label

without reformatting disk

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Partial syntax:

LABEL [drive:] [label]

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LABEL (external) command: Used to change volume label

VOLUME (internal) command: Used to see volume label

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Activity—Using the Label Activity—Using the Label CommandCommand

KEY CONCEPTS: Importance of including A: parameter Deleting volume label on disk Placing volume label on disk Use of spaces in LABEL and

VOLUME commands

Ch 3 75

Formatting a Disk using Formatting a Disk using the /Q Parameterthe /Q Parameter

/Q parameter: Fast way to clear previously

formatted disks Works like usual FORMAT

commandSkips low level formatting

Clears FAT and root directory Does not check for bad sectors

Ch 3 76

Activity—Using the /Q Activity—Using the /Q ParameterParameter

KEY CONCEPTS: Reason /Q parameter can be used Eliminate previous volume label when

formatting disk

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Disks and Formatting