[NTLUG:Discuss] ext3 waste disk spaces then Windows ME?

[Robert Citek]

On Apr 25, 2006, at 11:20 AM, m m wrote:
> I just notice that my 160 G hard drive "shrinked" to 140 (145?) G  
> hard drive after fomatted to ext3 file system and mounted to my  
> linux box.

What command did you use to determine the size of the drive/ 
partitions?  For example, did you type 'cat /proc/partitions', 'df',  
or something else?

> I used to use that 160 G HD as WIN ME box, at that time I still  
> have about 150  G total spaces.
>
> Each  file system have its advantages. but is it worth to   
> sacrifice about 10G to use another file system?

As has been mentioned, mkfs.ext3 reserves 5% by default.  What I have  
not seen mentioned is that you can examine and alter the properties  
of an ext3 file system with tune2fs.  For example:

# tune2fs -l /dev/hda1

# tune2fs -l /dev/hda1 | grep -e '^[BR].* count:'

To determine the reserve block percentage, divide the "Reserved block  
count" by the "Block count".  To alter the "Reserved block count" to  
say 1%:

# tune2fs -m 1 /dev/hda1

# tune2fs -l /dev/hda1 | grep -e '^[BR].* count:'

Many of the properties, including the "Reserved block count", can be  
altered while the filesystem is mounted, but not all, e.g. .  'man  
tune2fs' for more details.

Regards,
- Robert
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