Error with partition magic

[swamp-fox]

Well I had some questions before I installed it. But now when I try to open the app I get (Initialisation failed Error 117 Partition drive letter cannot be identified).Ok if I get it working the ?'s were. I have a 20gig hdd and wondering what size to make the primary partition? Mostly because cluster size is relative to partition size so you have a lot of wasted space in the clusters or so thats what I understand. What would be good way to set it up I'm open to suggestions. Or I can leave it alone as I'm only using about 1.5gigs of hardrive anyway right now.Thinking of later trying out mandrake I keep hearing so much about.
Thanks Swampy

Depends on the operating system. Different ones need different size clusters.

Actually the file system is relative to wasted space not the partition size.
Wasted space in the clusters is caused by using something like a FAT32 cluster with an operating system that can work with smaller clusters. You have lots of leftover empty space in every cluster if you only need a FAT16.

[swamp-fox]

Ok, well maybe I misunderstood. I'm using winME and was just wondering having read about alot of wasted space in the clusters but the cluster size being related to the size of the drive or something to that effect. I know years back my computer guru upgraded for me and had c:drive with windows and a d:drive named apps. So I figured all the applications were in d: but also was wondering how win could work with the apps if they were in another drive. I guess you can tell I wonder alot like why is the sky blue but then I found out about that one.

d:drive named apps. So I figured all the applications were in d:

Yep, folx will do that so if the apps get corrupted you don't loose your opperating system too. Also the smaller the partition, the faster your computer finds stuff. But that and cluster size are two different things.
Like a file cabinet that has a drawer 6 feet long vs 3 feet long.
Both full of folders. But it's faster to find stuff in the smaller cabinet because there is less volume to search though.
Now as to cluster size imagine you have letter and legal folders.
That could be your two cluster sizes. The legal take up more room but since you are only filing letter size docs and you can still only get the same number of letter size docs in the legal folder, cause its not big enough to put an additional letter in it.. the left over legal folder space is wasted..

Now hows that for confusing you ??

Thinking of later trying out mandrake I keep hearing so much about.

Well have you checked Mandrake? I've been told some linex progys like to do their own partitioning.

BTW get your hard drive problems with the partitions solved?

[swamp-fox]

Ok heres how my mind works. Ok I have 5 gallon milk containers in fridge but each one is only half full (or empty) so I haVE 2-1/2 gallons of milk using the room of 5gallons I think I get it surreal Thanks. A mind is a terrible thing.
On the partition error I get same error Init failed error 117

I never use partition magic, well not for years anyway.
But I rhink I would uninstall it and re-install it.. for starters.

If you really want your hard drive partitioned before you install linex (and I don't know about this stuff other than what I hear, I haven't done it yet) I would give it 5 gigs.
Keep 15 for winderz.
I know the file system will be different but I'm sure your linex install will fix that..

[swamp-fox]

I'll use the uninstall option. I think Maybe i missed some steps or something. I don't have to partition I guess, but I like to tinker around a lot, plus I get all this software from maximumpc I subscribe too I like to try it out and see if I like it" like mikey says" I have another question I defrag alot because the online game I play say's to clean out temp internet files and etc regulary dfrag. I have Norton system works and ? is I defrag with windows defrag and then go to norton speed disk and it defrags again but takes a long time. Is this stupid should I just use one or the other Its like they are fighting each other.But I don't know which one sorts the files better for faster seek times.
Thanks swampy
edit: think I'll post this question where it belongs.haha

[lynchmob]

Here's PQ's take on this
HTH
lynch

[knucklebusted]

Partition Magic has an option to check cluster waste so you can see what different cluster sizes do to the wasted space effect.

I believe that you pick a partition (possibly your only one) and select Advanced/Resize Clusters. 4K is about as small as Windows9x/ME can go. WinNT/2K can do 512byte clusters with NTFS at some expense to overhead and memory.

As for optimal, I believe that Windows Fat32 has a 8G boundary at the 4k clusters and a 16G boundary at 8k clusters. If you make the entire 20G drive one big C:, it would use 16k clusters. If you want to play with Linux, I'd make C: as large as 8k clusters will go and then leave the 4G for whatever you need. Linux will usually install in about 2.2G if you run everything.