Organizing and Managing
Your Hard Disk
Ch 8
1
Overview
Learn how to organize a hard
disk efficiently and logically to
serve your specific needs.
Ch 8
2
Overview
How to determine the best
command to use to locate a
specific file, or to manage the
hard disk, will be discussed.
Ch 8
3
Overview
Will discuss the purpose and
function of the CHKDSK
command and then use the
command to accomplish
various tasks.
Ch 8
4
Overview
Use the Disk Defragmenter
program to optimize
performance of your disk.
Ch 8
5
Why Organize a Hard
Disk?
Will accumulate many programs.
Each
program generates many
files.
Ch 8
6
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Windows XP Professional is installed,
certain folders are created including:
 Windows (WINNT)
 Program Files
 Documents and Settings
 My Documents
Ch 8
7
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Integrated programs (suites):
Provide tools for common types of
work.
Ch 8
8
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Additional programs must be
installed on the hard disk
before they can be used.
Ch 8
9
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Critical programs that should be
purchased/downloaded:
 Virus checking program
 File compression utility
Ch 8
10
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Need to determine:
How program is installed
Where program is installed
Ch 8
11
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Root directory table capacity
varies depending on the file
system used.
Ch 8
12
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Can choose own installation
location.
Can present problem when
asking for technical support.
Ch 8
13
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Fig 8.1 A Typical Hard Disk Configuration p. 377
Ch 8
14
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Where should data files be placed?
 Do NOT place data files in
program folders.
Data files contain information.
 Program files contain instructions.
Ch 8
15
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Part of good organizational scheme is
to create meaningful names for data
files
 Need naming conventions
 Long file names problematic
 Use of spaces can create problems
Ch 8
 Similar file names
problematic
16
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Fig 8.2 Organizing a Hard Disk by Software Application
Package p. 379
Ch 8
17
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Data files used in conjunction
with different programs
can be problematic.
Ch 8
18
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
 Organize disk by way you work.
 Application programs are tools.
Ch 8
19
Why Organize a
Hard Disk?
Organization should assist
you in saving, retrieving,
and backing up data files.
Ch 8
20
Methods of Organizing a
Hard Disk
Criteria for Organizing a Hard Disk
A. Root directory - map to rest of disk
B. Plan organization of hard disk
C. Develop a naming convention for files
and directories
Ch 8
21
Methods of Organizing a
Hard Disk
D. Create many folders/subfolders prior to
copying files into them
E. If application software installed on
computer, cannot/must not rename/move
program/program support files
Ch 8
22
Methods of Organizing a
Hard Disk
F. Create shallow/wide folders NOT
compact deep folders
G. Data files and program files should not
be in same subdirectory
Ch 8
23
Methods of Organizing a
Hard Disk
H. Many small directories with few files
better than a large subdirectory with
many files
I. Directory names short but descriptive
Ch 8
24
Methods of Organizing a
Hard Disk
J. Create separate subdirectory for batch
files
K. Create UTILS (utilities) subdirectory
Ch 8
25
Methods of Organizing a
Hard Disk
L. Learn how to use application
packages and how packages work
M. Learn how application package
works with subdirectories
Ch 8
26
Methods of Organizing a
Hard Disk
N. Analyze way you work
O. Analyze your environment
Ch 8
27
Methods of Organizing a
Hard Disk
Hard disks can be organized
in many ways.
Ch 8
28
Methods of Organizing a
Hard Disk
Organization should be result of:
 How you work
 How programs work
Ch 8
29
Organizing a Disk
Hard disk can be reorganized
without reformatting it or losing
files.
Ch 8
30
Viewing Disk Structure with
Tree Command
TREE command used to see
graphic representation of disk
structure.
Ch 8
31
Viewing Disk Structure with
Tree Command
TREE syntax:
TREE [drive:] [path] [/F] [/A]
Ch 8
32
Activity - Using the TREE
Command
KEY CONCEPTS:
 See graphical representation of folder
structure
 Tree command with /A and with /F
 Extended character set
 Using graphic representation with
redirection or MORE filter
Ch 8
33
Organizing the DATA Disk
Looking at structure, not contents, of
text files
Reorganizing DATA disk will make it
easier to manage
 Note: in next slide, … represents file
names
Ch 8
34
Organizing the DATA Disk
Fig. 8.5 Current DATA Disk Structure p. 388
Ch 8
35
Activity—Setting Up the
GAMES Subdirectory
KEY CONCEPTS:
 COPY - copies only files not
subdirectories
 Can manipulate default directory to
shorten path name
 Advantages of XCOPY command
 Using ATTRIB -S -H - R *.*
 Take care when using DEL with a wild
card
Ch 8
36
MOVE Command Revisited
MOVE command can:
 Move files to new location
 Rename subdirectories
Ch 8
37
MOVE Command Revisited
Safe
to move data files and data
directories.
Moving
program files and
renaming program directories may
cause program to fail.
Ch 8
38
MOVE Command Revisited
Program files:
 Not usually copied to location
 Installed in location with a setup
program
Ch 8
39
Activity—Using MOVE to
Organize Your Disk
KEY CONCEPTS:
 ATTRIB - hide files that won’t be moved
 REN - does not rename subdirectories
 Results of using MOVE command
 Differences between moving files and
renaming subdirectories
 When GUI is more efficient
Ch 8
40
Checking a Disk:
FAT and NTFS
CHKDSK is a
viable utility program.
Ch 8
41
Checking a Disk:
FAT and NTFS
Use CHKDSK to get information
about a disk:
 Free space available
 Bad spots
 File fragmentation
 Logical structure problems
Ch 8
42
Checking a Disk:
FAT and NTFS
CHKDSK command with FAT file system:
 Analyzes:
 File Allocation Tables on disk
 Integrity of files
 Traces chain of data for each file
 Gives statistical information
Ch 8
43
Checking a Disk:
FAT and NTFS
NTFS uses MFT to
track files on disk.
Ch 8
44
Checking a Disk:
FAT and NTFS
CHKDSK command with NTFS:
 Stage 1
 Looking for discrepancies or problems
 Stage 2
 Verifies directories
 Checks for internal consistency
 Verifies files times/dates/size
 Stage 3
 Checks/verifies security for each directory and
file
Ch 8
45
Checking a Disk:
FAT and NTFS
CHKDSK syntax:
CHKDSK [volume] [[path] filename]]
[/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/I] [/C] [/L[:size]]
Ch 8
46
Checking a Disk:
FAT and NTFS
 Some parameters valid only with . . .
 FAT file system.
 NTFS drives.
 Need administrator privileges to run
CHKDSK on hard disk.
Ch 8
47
Activity—Using CHKDSK
on Hard & Floppy Drives
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Information provided by CHKDSK
 How to repair a disk
Ch 8
48
Verbose Parameter with
the CHKDSK Command
CHKDSK with /V on FAT drive:
 Running in verbose mode
 Gives status report
 Displays every file on disk
Ch 8
49
Verbose Parameter with
the CHKDSK Command
CHKDSK with /V on NTFS drive:
 Displays any clean-up messages
Ch 8
50
Verbose Parameter with
the CHKDSK Command
Parameters:
 Are associated with specific
commands
 Perform specific tasks for those
commands
Ch 8
51
Activity—Using /V Parameter
& Using DIR Parameters
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Redirect output of CHKDSK /V to file and
use command line editor to view it
 DIR /S vs. CHKDSK /V
 How to pause display
 How to display files and directories
 Use of DIR with /A, /D, /R, /H,/S, & /A
 Use of - sign before attribute
Ch 8
52
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
FAT disk:
 FAT and Directory work together
 Each file has entry in directory table
 FAT points to next cluster if file longer than
one cluster
 Pointer chains all data together in a file
 If chain broken (lost pointer) end up with
lost clusters
Ch 8
53
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
Lost clusters:
 Occur when chain broken (lost
pointers)
 Marked as used in FAT
 Do not belong to specific file
 Cannot be retrieved
 Lose space on disk
Ch 8
54
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
Fig 8.6 Lost Clusters p. 414
Ch 8
55
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
Why lost clusters occur:
 Program not exited properly
 Power failure or power surges
Ch 8
56
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
NTFS disk (Stage 2):
 CHKDSK looks for orphaned files
 Has entry in MFT - but not listed in any
directory
 Similar to lost cluster in FAT file system
Ch 8
57
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
If lost or orphaned files
occur, may not be able
to boot back into Windows.
Ch 8
58
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
Cannot use CHKDSK /F to repair
disk errors when Windows XP
Professional is running.
Ch 8
59
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
When executing CHKDSK /F command, you get
message at beginning of display similar to this:
C:\>CHKDSK /F
The type of the file system is FAT32.
Cannot lock current drive.
CHKDSK cannot run because the volume is in use by another
process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the
next time the system restarts? (Y/N)
Ch 8
60
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
 Can schedule CHKDSK /F to run
when computer starts up next time.
 Can use /F and /R with CHKDSK
on a floppy disk.
Ch 8
61
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
 With multiple hard drives can run
CHKDSK on hard drive that is not
default drive.
 On an active partition may report
erroneous error messages.
Ch 8
62
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
 /F - repairs logical errors.
 /R - locates bad sectors and recovers
readable information.
 Using /R implies /F.
Ch 8
63
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
Be careful when running CHKSDK:
 Back up data files
 Large number of files can take a
long time to repair disk
Ch 8
64
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
Cross-linked files:
 Usually occur on FAT disk
 Two files claim same cluster
Ch 8
65
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
Fig 8.7 Cross-Linked Files p. 416
Ch 8
66
Using CHKDSK to Repair
Disk Problems
It is possible to recover
data from cross-linked files.
Ch 8
67
Activity—Using CHKDSK
to Repair Disk Problems
KEY CONCEPTS:
 To run CHKDSK Windows XP
Professional needs total access to disk.
 How errors on FAT disk are resolved
Ch 8
68
Activity—Using CHKDSK to
Repair Disk Problems
Fig 8.8 A Lost Cluster Opened in Notepad p. 418
Ch 8
69
Checking Disks with
System Tools
System Tools (found in GUI) can be
used to check a disk:
 Error-checking (CHKDSK)
 Backup
 Defragmentation
Ch 8
70
Activity—Checking Disks
with System Tools
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Three choices for floppy
 Check and fix errors
 If bad sectors found, copy files to other disk throw bad floppy away
 Backup disk
 Defragmentation (can’t be done)
 Defragmentation - only on hard disk
Ch 8
71
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
 Data - string of bytes OS keeps track of
by grouping information into files.
 To store/retrieve files disk divided into
number blocks called sectors.
 Contiguous sectors grouped into clusters.
Ch 8
72
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
Cluster:
 Smallest unit operating system
can read from/write to
 Comprised of one or more sectors
 File (usually) consists of more
than one cluster
Ch 8
73
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
The directory and FAT are used
by the operating system to
keep track of the location of
all parts of a file.
Ch 8
74
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
NTFS:
 Keeps track of files by means of MFT
 Beginning with Windows 2000 NTFS
is supported
 Allows local security
Ch 8
75
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
Decision on which file system
to use determined when disk
volume originally partitioned.
Ch 8
76
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
 FAT keeps record of cluster
numbers each file occupies.
 Files written to disk in adjacent
clusters whenever possible.
Ch 8
77
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous
Files
Fig 8.9 One File in Clusters p. 423
Ch 8
78
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
Fig 8.10 Contiguous Files in Clusters p. 423
Ch 8
79
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
Fig 8.11 Noncontiguous Files in a Cluster p. 423
Ch 8
80
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
Fig 8.12 Adding a File p. 423
Ch 8
81
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
Fig 8.13 Adding More Files p. 423
Ch 8
82
Contiguous and
Noncontiguous Files
 Noncontiguous, or fragmented, files
can slow disk performance.
 On FAT volumes CHKDSK with
parameter used to see if files are
contiguous or fragmented.
Ch 8
83
Activity—Using CHKDSK to
see if Files are Contiguous
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Adding file name parameter after CHKDSK
 Using wildcards with common denominator
 Use of wildcards with CHKDSK command
 Importance of contiguous files
 Disk Optimization programs
Ch 8
84
Defragmenting Your
Hard Disk
Disk maintenance should be
performed on a regular basis to
make programs run faster and
better.
Ch 8
85
Defragmenting Your
Hard Disk
Run Defragmenter program from:
Tools menu (Disk Drive Property Sheet)
Start Menu
Ch 8
86
Defragmenting Your
Hard Disk
Disk Defragmenter program:
 Moves data on disks so files are
contiguous
 Can be run without closing all
programs
 Better/faster/safer to close all programs
prior to running program
Ch 8
87
Activity: Using Disk
Defragmenter
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Can choose to defragment or view
analysis report
 Wise to defragment hard drive
regularly to improve performance of
system
Ch 8
88